tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23879866388534476272024-03-08T07:09:25.873-05:00Theologically AnalyticalVarious topic migrating in the mental topography of my opinion.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-40352917185777508012020-03-27T20:55:00.000-04:002020-03-27T20:55:34.417-04:00LoyaltyOne of my favorite hymns is Loyalty to Christ<br />
(but only when it is sung in a syncopated jubilee style - no judgments)<br />
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A person's behaviors in human to human relationships is a direct reflection of how one understands and perceives their personal relationship with God.<br />
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The past couple of weeks have been very different than normal. The Cover-19 has changed everything and every quickly. It has given me a lot of time for reflection.<br />
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Much of that reflection has been about my daddy and the ways he taught me to assess and respond to everyday life. I am a daddy's girl to the core. My father has been gone/transitioned out of his 'earth suit' as he called it, for almost 6 years now, and the adjustment has been challenging, but I have done my best to continue, as we all do with the loss and grief that is a part of life.<br />
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The last week or so, I have thought long and hard about the concept of loyalty. It is one of the components of HESED. Often translated as 'lovingkindness', but is actually much more, more inclusive, and one of those inclusions is Loyalty. God is way more loyal to us than we are to God. But as Christians, we work towards being in a stable and consistent relationship with God.<br />
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This morning, I woke up to pray and memories of a situation came to mind:<br />
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Once upon a time, I used obedience train and show German Shepherd dogs (GSD) for show in the categories of obedience and confirmation. Much of the time spent with the dogs were to get them ready for their purpose, to win in dog shows. All of our dogs were AKC registered for show and breeding........ But each was also the family companion pet.<br />
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What particularly came to my mind was this one dog. He was beautiful with great pedigree, had great potential to win every show that we entered him in. He had a beautiful gate and a wonderful coat of fur, his stature and stack were spectacular. He was a champion in the making. We had every expectation of him winning national competitions. And of course, as his handler and trainer, it would have put my name on the map in the industry. We put a lot of time and money into, not only the purchase of this puppy, but in raising him for his destiny. He was our family pet, but he was an investment in his own potential to be a winner. Together we could have conquered the dog show arena everywhere we entered competition.<br />
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The problem was that this dog did now see or value his potential the way that my daddy and I did, nor did he have any loyalty to being a member of our family. No matter the gifts that he was created with and the potential that he had been trained to reach, in his heart he saw himself as nothing more than a common stray. Often he would dig his way out of the fence and be gone, some times for days. My daddy would say, just put his food out at dinner time and he will come home to eat. Most of the time, this was the case, like clock work, he would run back to the yard like nothing had happened. But he would be dirty and have all kinds of things stuck in his beautiful coat of fur. I would clean him up so that he could come in the house, and take his place as a member of the family. Repeatedly he would run away while he was supposed to be outside in his fenced run (a fenced area specific to the need for exercise and muscle building common to large dogs, especially those who lived primarily inside). He would dig his way out, repeatedly we tried all kinds of ways to keep him from getting out of the fence, but where there was a will, there was a way. We would worry about his safety and search for him, with no success most of the time. We had to just have the resolve to wait for him to return home.<br />
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Then, one night there was a bad thunderstorm, with lots of rain and hail. We got in my daddy's van and drove around searching for this dog. We were worried that he would get hit by a car, or be shot by someone who was afraid of a dog who was simply taking shelter from the storm in their yard or on their porch. After hours of searching with no success, my daddy said there was not point in us being in danger by being out in the storm looking for this dog. My daddy reassured me that the dog would find its way home, as always. But what my daddy didn't tell me in that moment was that he was fed up with this stray mentality.<br />
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Just like my daddy had predicted, a few days later the dog showed back up, horribly dirty, but safe. But this time would be different. My daddy was prepared to sell the dog to a kennel, that wanted him because of all of his potential. This way, my daddy didn't lose all of his financial investment, as he would have if the dog had gotten killed during one if its run away adventures, and now those straying behaviors could be someone else's concern and not ours. The dog stayed gone so much and became such a headache that he really wasn't missed as a family pet, so much as a relief to no longer have to deal with the mentality of a stray.<br />
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Soon my daddy and I would pick out a new dog. We would have a new show dog in the house, one that appreciated the love and care of our home. One that would be a great companion, loyal and with great features for dog show competition and pedigree. This dog wanted to be a winner, this dog wanted to be a member of our family. And this dog would go on to win competitions, but in truth did not have the potential that the previous dog had, but did what the previous dog could not stay put long enough to do = win.<br />
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I said all of that to say, that with people, their behavior is a direct reflection of their relationship and loyalty to their faith in God. A person can't behave in a way that is not established in their mindset and self perception. Just like the dog that I once had, people can be spiritual strays and it will be manifested in the way they live their life, and the value that they place on the love and care that they receive from others. This void in a person can only be filled and healed by God's redemptive work in the life of the individual.<br />
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While we have this time of social distancing, lets take the time to evaluate and re-evaluate where we are putting our time and energy, and pray for spiritual strays. Know that it is not your job to keep them on track spiritually, because salvation is personal and only Jesus Christ can be their Savior and LORD.<br />
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Whether anyone goes with you are not, 'press toward the mark of the high calling.' - Live and Love like a WINNER. Keep the Romans 8 mentality.<br />
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<br />MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-25884828522308525192020-02-25T09:19:00.000-05:002020-03-27T20:59:43.553-04:00Toxic DisobedienceOne of the things that must happen for Christian salvation to take place is Surrender. It is the realization that doing things your way, for your personal outcomes is not working and that you need the guidance of God and the Love of Jesus Christ to shift and change your life and your nature. Salvation seems like an unsolvable math equation until you experience it and live it.<br />
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But what happens when a Christian wants to debate God's Will with God? What happens when a Christian wants to walk in stubbornness? This is what the older generation would call a 'stubborn will', a place of not fully complete surrender. It can be a hard road because it puts the individual in a place of negotiation with God and even explaining to God why thing need to be done differently. It is the ultimate in arrogance. So how can arrogance truly serve God?<br />
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What has been on my mind for a few weeks now is the journey of Jonah. Everything that Jonah went through before and after his doing what God has assigned him to due is shadowed by his attitude. You would think that after all he went through over his assignment that his attitude would be one of surrender, but it seems that he had to keep dealing with the consequences of his stubbornness. But was it worth it? Isnt that always the question of watching someone walk in disobedience? Isnt that always the question that you want to ask someone who is determined to do things their way instead of walking in obedience to God's Will?<br />
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It is as if there is a doubt of God's ability. How else could you not fully trust what God is wanting to ask of you? How could you expect to come out with less by doing things God's way than trusting God's Plan?<br />
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So Jonah is stubborn to the point that everyone on the ship with him has to deal with the storm, until he is thrown off the ship. Can you imagine the emotional distress of the others on the ship? Can you imagine how disheartening it is to watch a person face the waves and the sea, and pending death? Is arguing with God worth it? <br />
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God in his mercy, and in intent that what was assigned to Jonah was in fact his assignment, not to be given to another lets Jonah live. Let's face it, God could have allowed Jonah to die in the sea and raise up another to fulfill the prophetic assignment, so why does God allow Jonah to live?<br />
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In saving Jonah's life, God puts him in a horrible situation - the stomach of a whale. Can you imagine the smell, the taste, the environmental hazards, etc? The toxic feel of stomach acid meant to digest food on his skin had to be horrible. But this was the place that his stubbornness got him to experience. He was alive, but surrounded by toxic filth. All at the price if disobedience and stubbornness.<br />
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Can you imagine being regurgitated by a whale? That has to be a hard life experience. But Jonah's attitude is still not completely right about his assignment. By this point, he is starting to have a better understanding of the seriousness that God has towards Jonah being obedient. And even in Jonah doing what was such a simple assignment, he still wants to have an attitude about the whole matter.<br />
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So then we see Jonah go into a mode a pouting about not being able to do things his own way. Still stubbornness, but from a different angle, but with the same argumentative spirit. The journey towards Christian obedience is one that each individual must take alone. Even though other Christians are on the journey with you, and it is important to be a part of a community of faith, the journey towards the blessings or correction of God is individual.<br />
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Jonah was set up to receive a prophets reward. He is still know as being a prophet of God, but his disobedient attitude and the outcomes of that are what he is most remember for. What more could Jonah's future had been besides sitting with his attitude, angry at God, not concerned about the souls of the people that he could have reached in Nineveh and possibly beyond if he had only developed the right attitude for ministry and let go of his stubborn will.<br />
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It is hard to watch those who want to wrestle with God's Will waste precious time in toxic disobedience that could be spent going further into the BLESSINGS of God's Will. Jonah did deliver the message to the city of Nineveh, but where does his life journey go after that? To take a spectator's seat to watch with attitude to see what will happen is not the ideal alternative to walking in one's calling to do great ministry where you have been assigned. It is to settle for a lot of land, when God is offering an empire.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-4303035844464646322018-06-11T19:26:00.000-04:002018-06-11T19:26:42.448-04:00There Go IOne of the biggest reasons that the prosperity gospel is flawed would be ‘the come up.’ Most people do not do well with a drastic and/sudden change in resources and lifestyle. There is something to be said for working and earning what one has over time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a more comfortable lifestyle. But the truth is that too many become ugly inside from how having money changes the individual.<br />
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If too much is given or obtained too quickly, there is a lack of appreciation for what one has and nothing is sufficient or enough. But there is also the lack of empathy for those around the one who feels that they are now removed from their previous situation. It manifest in many ways but in most cases it makes one a great consumer and not a producer. The money is not the problem, the true refection of the heart is the problem. I would even go so far as to say that money can have a negative affect on a person's prayer life. This is why Christians often times dont do well with wealth, the wealth comes at the cost of having a heart, toward God and others.<br />
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Consumers are those who love to use their spending power on things that they didn’t have before. How one spends their resources is the easiest way to tell old money from new money. New money makes poor spending decisions on items that are mostly for bragging rights and with very little or no asset value, and most often to impress people who are not impressed anyway. It is the fear of depravity wearing a mask of abundance. It is a facade.<br />
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The sudden ability to have what one never had before becomes overwhelming and even can lead to poor decision-making and gluttony. Being a consumer becomes addictive..... it becomes the high of being able to obtain what one never had, therefore leading to overspending, and poor decision making in purchasing more than what is needed. This is exactly why most professional athletes and lottery ticket winners, and drug dealers end up in the exact financial state with a few years. There is little to no knowledge about saving, investing, sound purchasing, or philanthropy.<br />
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When fear controls the individual it will cause a level of selfishness that leaves no room for investing in vetted causes or charities, and definitely not becoming a resource by founding a charitable or philanthropic organization. When Christians forget to help others, they risk missing out in the greatest way to be like Christ, and that is to become a giver and a producer. When Jesus fed the people, he did with no expectation of return or compensation. As a matter of fact, most of the time, Jesus told those that he did something for not to tell others. This is because the nature of God is to give. We learn to be like Christ in the way that we treat others. How we treat others is a direct reflection of how we see our relationship with God. When we have a positive outlook on our relationship with God, there is an openness to share not only the Good News of the Gospel, but to overall have a positive impact in the lives of others. We can truly be living examples of Christ on earth. <br />
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It has been proven that giving and affinity go hand-in-hand. A person will invest in what they have some emotional attachment to. Therefore, it can be said that those who suddenly obtain too much too fast become detached and lose their ability to care or to love others. Their affinity goes toward the obtained material wealth or objects obtained. This is why loving people, those you can see, is essential because it is a reflection on one’s relationship to God. And it can only be faked or pretended for a short span of time. The state of one’s heart will eventually be shown for how it truly is.<br />
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At the core, the basic need is a sense of resolve that comes only from right relationship with God. Therefore it can be said that the individual is seeking a form of peace that will never come from the material that is bought/purchased, but can only come from an internal peace. Like any other addiction the issue is not the outward manifestation, but is in fact the internal turmoil that is causing the outward affect. A lack of peace and the inability to see what God has gifted the person with besides material objects and economic ability will always leave the person to rely on what they can grasp and that is material and superficial. This all leads to a person who is shallow and superficial. <br />
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Money or material gain is not a guarantee of happiness. The most current events of the past few years where more and more famous/rich individuals are committing suicide is proof that one's internal state of being is much more important than tangible material gain or wealth. There are some things that every human being needs that money can not buy.<br />
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God wants us to have abundant life, including nice things, but as good stewards of that abundance, not wasteful and overindulged. Because we live in a culture that loves amenities and creature comforts, it’s hard to imagine living a life with less than the newest most fashionable and most desired objects. This is what capitalism is built on, the reliance on human beings to fulfill their depravity with objects instead of seeking internal peace. People in sales love hurting people because they purchase, they become repeat spenders. As a matter of fact, if more people had the Peace of God, the spending patterns of our entire world would change.<br />
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This is exactly what religious vows of poverty are about, not becoming consumed with being a consumer but actually becoming comfortable enough in the sufficiency of having basic needs met that one becomes productive both spiritually and naturally. Christians should be producers, should be people who seek out ways to help others find peace through sharing the gospel, the good news, but should also live a lifestyle that reflects the internal peace and the strength to not always needing to follow the trends of obtaining the newest object.<br />
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Let’s be honest money changes a person. There are very few people that are not affected by gaining wealth. or even a higher salary. But the important thing is to remember that the higher salary or the wealth is not the issue, it is a matter of what this does to the internal workings of the individual. One of the most grounding things that a person can do to remember who they really are is to remain a giver. Giving to others allows one to remain empathetic, if the individual allows their thought process to remain open and clear about the difference between self and the other person. Spending time around one's old neighborhood and staying connected to everyday life of everyday people can keep one open to receive the realization of how powerful God's sufficiency really is in keeping one resilient (Philippians 4:13). This is how you learn to be content and remain grateful. One of the things that I heard quite often growing up was the saying “but for the grace of God, there go I.” <br />
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<br />MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-23341901698004188382018-05-13T22:29:00.000-04:002018-05-13T22:55:08.784-04:00URIAHIn the story of David and Bathsheba, we have a very interesting person who seems to get the short end of the situation. But I often wonder if this is the only way to look at this portion of text. I say that because Uriah the Hittite represents one of my greatest fears.<br />
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Before I explain my views on this portion of text, let me give just a bit of background information about myself. My father had 5 brothers. I lived in the house with my dad and my oldest male cousin who was 12 years older than myself. So you can say almost all of my childhood was one of feeling very protected, affirmed, and loved. I was my dad's only child so I was destined to be treated a certain way, better known as spoiled. With this many men in my childhood I was destined to not only get most anything that I wanted, because if one uncle said no, another uncle would either say yes, or find some way to compensate by offering something else that I might want. For example, if one uncle would not give me ice cream from the gas station up the street, all I had to do was to come back and make an announcement that I didnt get any ice cream. This would be followed by the men having conversation about why I was denied ice cream or what ever it was that I wanted. And not much time would pass before another uncle would invite me to go for a ride with him, only to end up at Kay's Ice Cream shop which had a whole bunch of flavors on display for me to choose from. This understanding of how men treat those they care for and love has framed my understanding of relationships in general. It has also set the bar for how I measure the behavior of men as an adult.<br />
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Growing up in a small town, during a time when people actually sat around and communicated with each other gave me a lot of insight from the perspectives of my aunts while they were stringing and breaking green beans or something. And many times, I got to hear the conversations (while I was supposed to be playing in the yard and not listening) of my dad and his brothers talking about community issues, political events, but also to hear a lot of conversation about women and relationships. By the time I got to be a teenager, my dad started to really talk to me about relationships directly. And those conversations helped me to understand how and why he treated some of the women that he dated differently from others.<br />
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Now back to Uriah, in 2 Samuel 11, we are told the events that lead to his death in the hottest battle. But before he died, he was given a chance to go home to his wife. Now upon reading the story, this was not as any favor to Uriah, but it was truly a set up to cover up what was going on with David and Bathsheba. So this is where I am going to talk briefly about Bathsheba's perspective, and how it reflects one of my greatest fears. <br />
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We really dont know anything about Bathsheba and Uriah's relationship. We have no idea what Bathsheba shared with King David about her relationship or home situation. We are not given any insight into the pillow talk that Bathsheba had with Uriah or with King David. So what we have to go on are just the facts that are presented in the text. I have heard it preached from a lot of different angles, and most of the time those angles portray Bathsheba as having negative behavior and motives, which I am not completely sure are presented in the wording or the tone of the text. But I am not going to debate that at this time. I want to really get to a woman's perspective of Uriah's decision not to go home to his wife.<br />
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Human behavior is very telling. Regardless of what a person says, their behavior tells the much larger portion of the truth. This frame of logic is how we are going to view Uriah's decision to sleep outside and not go home to his wife. I am going to simply say that he didnt want her, he didnt want to go home to her. He was a soldier who knew that he could die in battle any day, and he is given a chance to go home for a few nights to his wife and he would rather not, and says that it is his loyalty to the other soldiers who are not able to have this same opportunity to visit home.<br />
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A man in love, doesnt usually, really doesnt operate like that because love makes a man want to take every opportunity to spend time with the woman that he loves, even if it means returning to battle and his death the next day..... That is even more justification for him to take the opportunity to spend the night with the woman he loves. A man in love is caring and attentive, and willing to do his best to make sure the woman that he loves is happy. It was not as if Uriah was sneaking away to visit home, but he told to go home. Now we dont know if he suspected something, or even if he had heard gossip, because that is not given to us in the text, all we have is the excuse that he uses to not go into his home to his wife. <br />
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So can you imagine what that must have felt like for Bathsheba? Her husband is in town, but is sleeping outside with servants and refusing to come home to her. This is rejection, neglect, and disregard. Those are the things that a woman will get from a man who does not love her. So imagine Bathsheba being married to a man who has so little affinity or interest in being a husband to her. You might ask, so does this validate the theories that she was intentionally trying to be seen bathing? I dont know. But what we do see is a married man who declares more loyalty to the army and to the king, than to his wife, or even a desire for her. <br />
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To be in a relationship marriage with someone who does not love you and who does not want you is a miserable way to live out your days. Having to pretend to family and friends that everything is ok when there is no real love or passion is hurtful and draining. God's plan for marriage is for it to be the most loving and nourishing experience that affirms both the man and woman, in such a way that their bond is both spiritually and naturally strong. So when we see Bathsheba move on with her life after Uriah's death, I cant help but to think that she must have mourned his death, but that she must have also been relieved to not have to any longer pretend that she was loved and cared for my a man who really didnt want to come home to her. With Uriah out of the way, Bathsheba was free to be loved and cherished.MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-81953277399433398602018-05-01T00:47:00.000-04:002018-05-01T00:47:01.220-04:00DistortionSin causes distortion, both in perspective and logic. This has been the case since the very beginning. From the 'you shall not surely die' to the present, the ways of distortion are the same, but the manifestations are every morphing.<br />
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In the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve did not drop dead at that exact moment, it began the distortion of timing and urgency. If one of them or both of them had died at that moment, it would have been the most clear message to them to obey, but it would have also been the end of their history. This is why these events were followed with some specific details as to what would happen for them in the rest of their lives as part of the consequences of their disobedience. But even those consequences did not change the outcome that was spoken to them, they would die.... not suddenly at that moment, but slowly aging and deteriorating. <br />
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There has always been and will always be a price to be paid for sin. The pride of life makes each of us think that time is on our side, that we have plenty of time to worry later about living according to God's principles. But this distorted view also means that if we are not willing to live according to the plan of God for our lives, we forfeit the over arching truth of God's plan for our lives. Not just in the context of life or death, but everything in life before one dies. This can mean years and decades of living beneath what was God's plan to bless your life. The distortion of sin is to believe that you can get for yourself better than what God wants to give you. <br />
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This makes some feel like the gamble is worth the risk to get what you can now and worry about the rest later. In this way, sin has accomplished its purpose to distract and distort not only our perception of God, but of self. Sin causes one to justify living in disregard to God's Biblical Principles. The distortion is manifested in the lack of urgency to do what it right, to work and strive toward doing what it right. Righteousness at its core is built around an internal desire to be as close to right as one possibly can in word and deed and intentions of heart. The state of the heart is reflected in one's actions.<br />
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Therefore, the distortion of sin is actually a distortion of the state of one's own heart. To see one's ways without wanting to weigh it against God's truth is the internal struggle to justify what is in one's own heart. The only way that the distortion can be removed so that one can truly see the truth of one's own heart is through God via the Holy Spirit to remove the distortion and giving the individual the opportunity to truly see one's self through the truth of God. What we see when we see our self through the truth of God can be hard to face, but necessary. We have to ask God to show us the ourselves as God sees us. What will we really see when we become courageous enough to see what God sees? <br />
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We all try to convince ourselves that our actions are justified and that our behavior is not that bad. But what is God really seeing? What is really in our heart? It takes the truth being clearly shown to the individual before the individual will realize there is a need for change toward doing what it right according to Biblical Principles. This is why the act of surrender is so important in the context of salvation. The ability to surrender to God and accept that Jesus Christ died for your sins, can have the most liberating effect.<br />
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Humbling is the reality that there are some things that one can not do for self. To realize that you can not change the condition of your own soul is humbling. It not only frees one from the bondage related to sinful habits and lifestyle choices, but it also frees one to be completely honest with God about areas of one's life that need to change for the better. It is in this, that the heaviness of one's heart is no long a weight to carry, but is left at the foot of the Cross.<br />
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Surrendering to God means letting go of the facade that everything is alright and the spiritual heaviness of all of the distortion caused by sin. To need God, to seek after God means that you don't have to live outwardly appearing to be OK, but internally knowing you are a mess. God is the mender of broken hearts.MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-41963580555716479282018-04-24T14:09:00.000-04:002018-04-24T14:09:06.807-04:00Gender and SalvationContrary to what our society wants to tell us, there are some distinct differences in men and women. God created humanity this way for a reason. The differences are to compliment each other, they are not to make one gender more valid than the other, they are designed to work together to create balance in the home, family, community and society.<br />
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Within this understanding there are some things that are part of the personality of the individual, but for the most part at the core there are certain things that are key characteristics. God's creation is intentional, with so much attention to detail that some times it is hard to even wrap one's mind around all of the intricate care that God lovingly set in order to create the world that we live in and our human bodies designed just right for the atmosphere and gravity of the Earth.<br />
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There are some cognitive differences in men and women. I wont bore with too much scientific fact, but I will say that in many cases men and women process information differently, and they respond to that information differently. Again, I will state that personality in the individual does play a key role in this, because each person has some unique qualities, as God did not create us as one clone, but part of the beautiful variety that is throughout creation. For example, all trees have the same basic features, but there are multiple varieties of trees, the same can be said of birds, flowers, on and on.... God clearly loves variety because it is expressed throughout creation. In this way, each individual is unique, but with some sameness of humanity.<br />
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<b>Salvation</b> is defined in the <i>Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms</i> as follows:<br />
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"<i>God's activities in bringing humans into a right relationship with God and with one another through Jesus Christ. They are saved from the consequences of their sin and given eternal life. Biblical images for salvation vary widely." </i><br />
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This definition uses some very active words. It also clearly states that salvation is more than just the relationship with God, but also with one another. This is very important to understand the Christian community of faith that develops among those who are saved. No where in this definition is a distinction of gender, which means that salvation is for both men and women. But when we look at the Christian community of faith, in almost all cases there are more women than men within congregations.<br />
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Salvation is available to all. How men and women process information can be very different, especially when it comes to self introspection. This is important because when presenting the Gospel to men and women, there is some need for intentional use of facts, because men get details and facts in a very different way than women do. This is often reflected in communication styles. Men want the bottom line fact first, and women can navigate through the details and eventually get to what should point to the facts.<br />
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For salvation to take place, one must be aware that one's relationship with God is not right. ... That one is a sinner. To acknowledge this fact in one's spiritual state of being requires conviction. Our legal system has lead us to think about conviction in a certain way, that relies on how the information is understood by others. But the type of conviction that leads one to realize they are in need of Jesus Christ and salvation, is internal. In other words, the facts have to be presented to the individual, not the group of peers. The group of peers may see the facts without a shadow of a doubt, but for salvation to take place the individual must see one's own sinful nature as based on the facts presented to one's own self. This level of self honesty means that the person must be humbled by the Holy Spirit of God opening ones eyes, to be honest with one's self about one's own actions and motives.<br />
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<b>Conviction of sin</b> is defined in the <i>Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms</i> as follows:<br />
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"The sense of the reality of sin in one's life as known by the work of the Holy Spirit ( John 16: 8-9)."<br />
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When a person is unwilling to face the facts of their own wrong, it takes the Holy Spirit to show the individual how far way from God they truly are, how are away from doing right they truly are in their own way of being. Sinners and backsliders, are able to justify their ways, or the even ignore reasoning. But once one truly becomes aware of the fact that one is wrong, in word and deed, something has to change. Either the individual will take the "Romans Road" or will continue to reject God, Jesus Christ, and salvation.<br />
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In recent years, the preaching of the Gospel has become quite docile when it comes to stating the facts. And this is reflected in the lack of men who are active participants in church. This is reflective of the lower numbers of men who are accepting salvation in Jesus Christ. Maybe the "hell, fire, and brimstone" type sermon of the past seems a bit harsh, but some time the facts are harsh. Sin is harsh. The consequences of sin are harsh. What sin does to one's life is harsh. What sin does to one's physical body is harsh. What sin does to the state of one's soul is harsh.<br />
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Men must be presented with the facts. The church can not follow the trends of the world and sugar coat the truth. Men respect truth and honesty, even when it is not what they want to hear. No one will receive the truth or the facts, until they are willing to surrender their own self sufficiency and realize that what is needed can not be supplied by self. But salvation is available to everyone, both men and women. God is not hiding salvation from anyone, nor is God trying to make it an unsolvable riddle. The truth of the Gospel is plain and clearly states the facts.<br />
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Men may not like asking for help or directions, but when a man realizes that his soul is at stake, in danger, the urgency will become real. A sin sick soul can only be healed by the Power of God, through the blood of Jesus Christ. A man can not save his own soul, a woman can not save her own soul. We all need Jesus.MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-12928111350947873702018-02-14T09:26:00.002-05:002018-02-14T09:26:56.731-05:00LOVE IS MIGHTYThe holiday that is celebrated as Valentine's Day is completely made up by the materialistic and capitalistic agenda. There was a historical martyr who was killed for secretly marrying Christian couples during a time when it was forbidden. And this is significant for several reasons, because I can see our culture drifting towards attempting to make it illegal once again for Christians to marry, but that truth is not what is discussed on the holiday celebrated by this name. The world likes the money making aspect of the holidays, but wants to remove the Christian significance. And this holiday is no different. Mostly started by greeting card companies and embraced by jewelry distributors because it stands to bring great profits to their companies by simply selling a desired concept - Love.<br />
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The truth of the matter is that love is much greater and stronger than any card, flowers, candy or jewelry can represent. Yes, we all like to receive gifts. Yes, we appreciate that someone thinks enough to invest in showing how much they care. There is no question about that at all.<br />
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<b>Love is spiritual.</b> Love is a spiritual act. Love is about positive impact in the life of another person.<br />
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Love is essentially at the core of the human ability to understand how much God considers humanity (John 3:16). God's love can be gentle and kind, but God's love can also be redirecting and correcting. This is not the way that the marketing world wants you to see God's love. The little fat angels with arrows are completely different from the might angels that move at God's command. In this same way, the world shrinks love down to a materialistic expression. When in truth everything about God's love is mighty.<br />
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In this way, when God becomes the binding force in a relationship it becomes unbreakable. (Eccl 4:9-12). To love and to be loved is a beautiful thing that allows one to flourish in every aspect of life. The companionship is different from any other type of interaction. Love that is grounded in God's Love is nourishing. The love that the world markets at its core is like a leech, always looking for opportunity to deplete and take more and more without regard for return. But when God is at the core of love, there is a freedom to give and be what the other person needs without any consideration for the return, because the entire experience is enveloped in mutuality. <br />
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Mutuality is not the same as equality. Men can handle physical things that a woman was not designed to handle, and women can handle physical things that a man was not designed to handle. Here again, the secular world attempts to rebrand what God created. Men and women are designed by God with specific intention, and there are some distinct differences both in physical characteristics and skill sets. For example: A man's body is not designed or equipped to bring a living breathing life into this world, but a woman's body is built receive the seed, to carry the developing life, deliver the person into this world, and to feed the new person until the person is able to eat from other food sources. God designs with intention.<br />
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Each gender brings something complementary to the characteristics of the other. This is by God's design. Men and women were never created to contradict each other nor to be in competition with each other, but were created to contrast each other in a way that draws emphasis that displays the other. Men and women were designed to compliment each other.<br />
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The secular world screams for equality, but God's economy of love was created for us to bring to the other person what they dont have within their own self. This is what physical attraction is about and is at the core necessity of intimacy. Society attempts to devalue what is the most priceless part of how God created male and female, with distinction. Yes, there are plenty of things that a man can do just as well as a women, and there are plenty of things that a woman can do just as well as a man. But, when it is all said and done, we were not created for sameness, so even in having some of the same skill sets and many features in common, we are different and where created for the purpose of being what the other needs, but does not contain within self.<br />
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We must be careful not to allow similar skill sets to appear to be signs of compatibility. Team members often have the same strengths and the same passion, but each also has to bring something that the other does not have or possess. This is what makes the team a well functioning unit and a couple is a well functioning unit, a team.<br />
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This is why it is important to be equally yoked, for the productivity of the team (2 Corinthians 6:14). Both spiritually and naturally, this is important. When your life is connected to the life of another person, you have to agree on which direction and for what you are working towards. Common sense would tell you that you cant have one person wanting to go North and the other person wanting to go South, because then all of their energy is depleted in the internal struggle of the team not going the same direction. When there is a tug of war in a relationship, sadly, someone wins. And this means that someone is losing ground on the direction they want to go towards. This changes what should be a win-win into a win-lose. This is why it is so important to attach your life to someone who is spiritually going the same direction as yourself. When both individuals are determined to go in the same direction, then there is an agreement of effort that become empowering, because both are using their strengths and skills to move forward. The team wins together.<br />
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Traditional marriage is attacked because it is evident how strong a well working unit is in accomplishing anything that the team sets its mind to accomplish. God created marriage that way, and God designed it so that LOVE is central to motivate the individuals to withstand the most challenging of times and situations to stay focused on the end result of the family.<br />
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<b>Growing together in God is empowering. With the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Ghost, the Christian couple is unified and formidable .</b><br />
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Godly love has a ripple affect of blessings in the life of the Christian.<br />
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<br />MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-45655334302921206172018-01-16T23:28:00.000-05:002018-01-16T23:28:03.642-05:00Eating CrowTo figure out that you are wrong about something may or may not be a big deal. When this realization is a private one, it is only your own processing of the information that has to be taken into account. But when you have to admit to others that you are wrong, the error in judgment, the details, and miscalculations take on a whole different level of internal response. Not only does one have to deal with the outcomes and need for adjustments because of the error, but there is also the added communication that others want to have about something that one would rather not talk about.<br />
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All of the thoughts of dread that go with the conversation about the error are not only unwanted, but can be overwhelming because of the multiple times that one repeatedly answers the same or similar questions about the matter. It becomes hard to navigate who is genuinely concerned and who is simply seeking out a juicy bit of information.<br />
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To talk about what has happened is part of the healing process. Each individual heals at their own pace, and therefore each individual is ready to talk about their miscalculation with no specific appropriate time frame to be determined as right or wrong by anyone else. Add to this the distinct differences in how men and women process information, respond to information, and need to talk to process information, and you have a variety of ways in which human beings deal with the mistakes that they make in life.<br />
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There are times when a person realizes their mistake but refuses to make the necessary adjustments because of pride. In some ways this can seem to others as form of stubbornness. More often than not, the person who is processing their mistake and what making the needed changes entails wants to do so on their own terms and not the terms of others. This can be very stressful when others want to rush or force the transitions necessary to handle a mistake in one's own life. This will cause the individual to avoid making the necessary decisions because there is a sense that others are pressuring or attempting to orchestrate one's life for them. This pressure adds to the resistance by the individual to do what is necessary because that is a mechanism built into being stubborn in the process.<br />
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Theologically, when a person is walking in disobedience to God, not only is there the issue of stubbornness, but there is usually some sort of attempt to negotiate with God. Negotiation, in many cases is caused by the unwillingness to trust God or to surrender to God's Will. The mistakes that happen in one's life because of disobedience can be disheartening because the limitations of being human dont allow us to see into the future. And many times, attempting to negotiate with God can lead us into situations that we could not have possibly seen coming.<br />
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On our best day, each of us wants to believe that we are up for any challenge and because of this we can sometimes believe that we can handle situations without realizing that God sees all sides of a situation and we are only able to see what is present before us at any given time. Our speculations are not guarantees, but we yet have to make life decisions based on the information that we have, and this does not always work out the way that we planned. <br />
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There are other times, when there are warning signs, and even divinely inspired clues that let us know that we should do things differently or make a different decisions but we dont always heed the warning signs. Often times, these warnings and clues come from those closest to us, friends and family. And this can also become part of the challenge to figure out who is giving genuine insight or divinely inspired insight versus those who are giving advice based on how it will work best for themselves. Each of us usually knows who the self serving individuals are around us, be we can not always be 100% certain in every situation, because trust can sometimes be very fluid.<br />
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So when a situation does not go the way that one has planned, and this realization means that it is time to come to terms with the mistake and admit that it didnt work out as planned, this can sometimes be hard to admit. And this is where the concept of 'Eating Crow' comes into being part of the reality that one must face. The term comes from the fact that crow is not palatable or good tasting bird. It is said to have a bad smell and taste, and be very hard to digest. Being reduced to eating crow, means putting one's pride to the side.<br />
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As I said earlier, it is one thing to admit a mistake to yourself privately, but to admit a mistake to others takes on a whole other level of character building because mistakes rarely happen when or the way that we expect them to, simply because we rarely start anything hoping for a negative outcome, and most times we dont have a completed back up plan, we just make it up and adjust as we go. So when others start asking questions that one does not want to answer, there is the additional stress of people asking questions that one has not had time to fully process or plan for alternative ways of dealing with the situation. All of this can be overwhelming.<br />
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But this is what redemption is all about. God is always there to receive us and to help us get back on track. Once we are willing to put our pride aside and acknowledge that we want and need God's guidance, God is faithful. Even when there is residue from our mistakes on our lives, God is still there welcoming those who come back home.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THE STORY:</span></div>
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A young man bought a new boat. He was excited about the boat because he had plans of being a great fisherman. He was going to take his new boat and the cute little kitten that he had found out to sea for the fishing season. <br />
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Several people around him told him that they thought his boat was fine for staying close to the shore, but would not endure the long season in the deep waters miles away from the shore. They also told him that the kitten was not a good idea because he would not want to be stuck out at sea with the kitten. <br />
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The young man looked into the kitten's eyes and thought it most adorable and could not image how this kitten could become a problem out at sea. He thought that he would be able to feed the kitten from his catch of fish and he had visions of both he and the kitten being happy keeping each other company during the fishing season. <br />
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When the day came to begin his time out at sea, the young man happily told his friends that he would be fine, all the while they were still wondering how he was going to make it through the rough waters of the sea in his new boat with the kitten. As the boat floated a couple of miles away from the shore, the young man notices a small puddle of water on one end of the boat. He thought maybe the splashing of a wave had brought some water onto the boat and he thought nothing more about it. But the next day, there was more water on the boat. He look around wondering if he had slept through a rain the night before, but took the only thing that he could find, a small cup and scooped out the water, throwing it back into the ocean. <br />
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After a few days, the young man began to notice that the kitten was changing, looking a little different, but still just as adorable. He was occupied most days with catching enough fish to feed the kitten who was seeming to take on a huge appetite with each passing day. This had left him little time to be attentive to navigating the boat because he spent most of his time constantly removing the water that was seeming to collect in the boat much faster than in the beginning. And the rest of the time he was only catching enough fish to feed the kitten, and some times was not always able to catch enough to feed himself. This whole process was making him weak and weary.<br />
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One day, he looked at the kitten and realized that it had matured into a bobcat. He now understood the warnings that he had been given by his friends and family about taking the kitten along on the journey. Even though it was clearly a bobcat, when he looked at it what he saw was the memories of what he thought was a cute and harmless kitten. But the nature of the cat had now changed and his interactions with it also had to change. And at the same time, the boat had taken on so much water that it was going to be near to impossible to get all of the water out of the boat. <br />
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Faced with saving himself and the bobcat, the man contemplated what to do, knowing that he would have to decide soon because his life depended on it. When he looked around to try to decide what his options were, he realized that with all of the time he had been out in the water that he had not navigated but had drifted a few miles from the shore. Land and safety was still an option.<br />
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Having to decide about swimming in the waters and without having eaten much, knowing that his body was weak, he looked caringly at the bobcat and wondered how would he save both himself and his kitten. The bobcat was hungry. The boat was taking on water. He was going to have to decide something. He was already living with his mistakes, and now he really wanted to get it right. <br />
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As he looked toward the shore, dread come over him. The dread was of coming back on shore, back to land and safety, but having to admit that he had made a mistake. The thought of admitting his mistake became more important than saving his own life. His pride was about to consume him.<br />
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All those who had warned him were watching from the shore. They had all wanted the best for him, but now they just wanted him to choose to save himself. Even though he was to far away to hear them, they were all cheering for him, hoping that he would make it back to safety. But as he look to the shore, the only thing he could think about was having to explain what had happened to him and why he was wrong. It didnt occur to him that everyone who had warned him was doing so because they had the insight to warn him for a reason and that they cared enough to say something. Their words were not built from negativity, but from care and concern. All of the warnings had been an attempt to show support and warn him for his own safety. And this also meant, that they were not as surprised as he thought they would be about how things had turned out for him.<br />
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He hesitated. They watched. No one could make the choice for him.<br />
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Would the ship sink first or would the bobcat eat him before the ship sank, or would he choose to risk the swim toward shore, back to land, safety, and a welcomed return filled with too many questions?<br />
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<br />MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-8396200501601860762017-12-24T00:50:00.001-05:002017-12-24T00:50:45.921-05:00Trust is an IssueI am very analytical. I overthink some of the most basic details of things. This is a most honest self assessment. Meaning I am the person who can literally stand in a fast food restaurant and think through all of the pro and cons of any menu item, and each and every combination of items that might contain too many calories or make me too full or make me sluggish or maybe cost more than I want to spend for fast food, or maybe might make a mess in the car, or whether I want to or have time to sit inside the restaurant and eat, or if I sit inside the restaurant what type of activities might be going on around me that I dont want to eat around, and on and on and on.<br />
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So when I say that I have put some thought to something, that is very much the case. I assess situations like a Rubics Cube. I look at things from all sides and angles and possible meanings and outcomes. This can be to a fault. This type of other thinking can be paralyzing on so many levels. It is a good skill to have because of the type of work that I do because the attention to detail is essential. But for the most basic things in life, I work at not having to think so hard as if it is a journey towards some sort of bliss.<br />
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Yes, I have to work on conditioning my mind to not overthink things. Even at this moment, I am writing as form of processing information, which is usually the case. But on today when I have worked an extremely long day, and still have a lot on my mind, I am sitting up writing to sort through my thoughts so that hopefully I will be able to settle down my mind enough to relax and find my way to sleep.<br />
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What does all of this have to do with trust? Absolutely everything. When you notice the smallest details, it leads you have sufficient pieces of information to assess and analyze in a way that most people just skim over. And I like most women often have these fairytales playing out in my head of perfect endings and spectacular outcomes. Here in is the foundation to the issues that I have with trust. After much thought, those perfect outcomes turn into realistic reality.<br />
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After realizing that I have been replaying this perfect outcome in my head for a few years now, I finally came to the conclusion that holding on to this fairytale ending was draining because when I put it to the reality test, I realized that at the most basic core of the reality is a lack of trust. <br />
A lack of trust really has very little to do with guilt or innocence, perception or deception, but trust is an internal working of the individual. In this way, my inability to fully trust the person or the situation means that there is already a breach, a gapping hole in the fort.<br />
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When there is no trust, or even when trust is questionable, there are way to many opportunities for a person with trust issues to find reasons for trust to deplete or simply not be present at all.<br />
Once I realized that my inability to trust in this situation was going to be problematic in a way that would manifest in so many other areas, then I decided to completely throw away my fairytale ending, because it would be like have a Bentley with no tires and no keys...... pointless bragging rights.<br />
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Theologically, I had tried to justify my hanging on to hope because I trust God. So that became my blanket assessment of the situation. After years of hoping against hope, I realized that I will continue to trust God regardless. Trusting God is so very different from putting your trust in a person or a situation. There are no guarantees in life, but some times the most trusting thing you can do is realize that God is still on the throne and still in control. So even if I dont get a fairytale ending, staying in a mindset of being able to trust God is most important.<br />
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Truth is, everybody and every situation is not deserving of your trust and most fairytales turn into reality sooner or later anyway. So facing reality and learning how to allow wisdom to develop your process and ability to trust means facing facts not vicarious ideals.<br />
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After all, God's Truth is based on the facts.<br />
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MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-43671263275133679602017-12-20T23:21:00.000-05:002017-12-20T23:21:28.385-05:00HARD TO WATCH THE STUBBORN WILLThere are times when the most loving thing you can do is to take a hands off approach. It is hard because the loving thing to do seems to be to support and guide and cheer. But when a person has a stubborn and disobedient will, you cant do anything but allow them to learn the hard way.<br />
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Being that our culture is no longer as accountable as during biblical times, many people now do not understand nor respect the concept of having a sense of accountability to your community, especially the community of faith. For example during biblical times when something was considered a sin as unto death, this meant that you could actually be literally stoned to death. The offense was not only about the sin of the individual, but a reflection on the community as a whole, and therefore the community was within its right to respond. Currently our culture has gone the complete other end of the spectrum, which means that we turn a blind eye to the wrong of others. Although I do think stoning is extremely harsh, I do believe that there is a place and purpose for a community, especially a community of faith, holding its members accountable for certain principles and behaviors. ( Here I must insert a note: I dont believe that 'putting people out of the church' is the correct response. As a matter of fact, I think that is just as harsh as stoning.)<br />
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Taking a hands off approach can look a lot of different ways, depending on the situation. This is very hard to do when you know that the person knows better and should be doing better. But the 'master of deception' does a good job at convincing the mind of the individual that there are other solutions other than doing things God's way, according to Biblical Principles. That is exactly the success story of deception from the very beginning, to convince one that there are ways to get better outcomes than to be obedient to God's Principles.<br />
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The question might be asked, why would you want to negotiate with God? Why would you want anything thing other than God's Will for you? And what do you really gain when you 'seemingly' win the negotiation with God? Does getting your way instead of God's Will really turn out to be a win-win in the long run.... now or eternally?<br />
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The ripple effect of disobedience only leads to more and more disobedience, as one attempts to find ways to navigate making the disobedience seem like it is going to turn out alright. And before long there is a snowball affect of multiple acts of disobedience. And the disobedience leads to a house of mirrors of deception, eventually make the truth sound harsh and unreal. As long as the individual is trying to sort out ways to make the wrong turn into a success, you cant reason with them about their thoughts or actions.<br />
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Here is where loving is hard. Letting go. Backing off. This is also when you stop praying for God to cushion the blows that sin and disobedience are causing the person. This is when you realize that God is allowing the individual to truly see what getting their way means. God is not going to be manipulated. But God will let one have their way, and all that comes with it. Being determined to be out of the Will of God, means being determined to deal with not having God's Covering or Guidance, as if saying to God that one wants God to take a Hands Off approach to one's life.<br />
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Think about it, if someone wants God to take a 'hands off' approach, then why would the same individual want someone to have a 'hands on' approach other than to support the deception? Being a support to others, often times means that you have to back away and God can allow the person to see where their way is taking their life. After all you cant become party to the wrong, or you too will find yourself slipping into darkness, and deception. <br />
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Because here is the deal, deception loves darkness, hidden agenda, under the table negotiations and secrets. One of the greatest clues that something is not according to God's Will is if it has to be kept secret or hidden. I dont mean privacy, privacy is the right to keep things to yourself or away from the public. But shame and guilt are built around those things that would not be justified as having a right motive from the start.<br />
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So why back off, other than self preservation? I will give you an example of when my son was a toddler. I kept saying to him hold on, dont fall down the steps. I was doing what I thought was the loving thing to do by coddling his every move. But one day a friend said to me, that he is a boy and he learns by understanding, and he wont understand until he sees for himself. This was the most profound thing that was said to me about raising a son.<br />
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One day, I got up the courage to let him figure it out for himself. I was cautious to make sure that his fall was a little one and not a major one, but I had to let him navigate a few lower steps on his own, his way, without holding on. And as truth would be revealed to him, he flopped down a couple of steps and then looked at me as if to say what happened. The hundreds of times that I had attempted to get this message across to him, now he figured it out because he realized that he didnt like his own outcome.<br />
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This examples may seem simplistic, but from that day on, I never had to negotiate or even mention to my son that he needed to hold on while walking down the steps. Grabbing the railing became unspoken second nature. And so it can be with someone who wants to try their hand at being blatantly and boldly disobedient to God's Principles. The only thing you can do after attempting to coach and encourage is allow the individual to learn the hard way. Some times the fall, the hitting bottom is what it will take to help the person know that they dont want to do it that way again.<br />
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This is when repentance is true. True repentance is when one is no longer trying to make the disobedience work, but is willing to drop all wrong and turn with intention to do what is right with a no looking back mindset. It is the determination to be redeemed. This is when the individual can stand before God with a sincere heart and say 'Lord, please take me back'.<br />
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Now the mindset has completely changed from negotiation with God to complete surrender to God. Until the individual is willing to surrender, there will be a constant attempt to negotiate for good outcomes from disobedient actions and motives. But once the individual surrenders and truly acknowledges their need for the Savior, then God can guide and send others to guide and support the individual getting back in step with the Will of God both spiritually and naturally.MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-30915685597213278352017-12-02T19:32:00.000-05:002017-12-02T19:32:43.580-05:00CONVICTIONSin is an addiction. The causes and affects are both spiritual and natural. Just like any other addiction, the addict feels justified because of their inability to believe that life could be better without the sin. For the person who is entangled in sin, it is the sin that they feel like makes one feel alive. The person can not imagine feeling more alive by a life without sin. This is what gives the sinner the joy of sinning, the urge to sin, and the sense of normalcy while living out their favorite sin or sins.<br />
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Just like any other type of addiction, the individual can change, can give up the addiction and live a life of normal activity that may actually include the chosen thing or behavior, but in a different context. The amazing thing about sin and sinful nature is that it is caused by a distortion of thought and a distortion of the context. Most sins are taking something that is a normal healthy behavior and causing it to have more control over the individual than the individual has over one's self. Sin at its core is a lack of self control that is guided toward what is outside of the Will of God.<br />
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Let's take Gluttony for example. I will not describe it because, depending on the individual, it can take on many forms of manifestation in one's life---- for this reason I will simply note the reference 1 John 2 and what is referred to as 'pride of life'. In this way, it can be said that sin is selfish, having little to no regard for others or how one's behavior or mindset affects others. In other words, having the same characteristics of any other addiction. I wont bore with talk of dopamine and neurotransmitters. But just like any other addiction, science has shown that the chemicals in the brain are released that make the individual feel like there is reward in fulfilling craved addiction. This is what makes the sin seem like a thrill, and makes the person feel alive. The problem is that the feeling wears off, and this make the need for the behavior to become repetitive/a cycle, in other words, a sinful lifestyle.<br />
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One's way of thinking has to be distorted to justify the sin. This is why you can point out the sin to the individual without the person ever giving any real thought or consideration to your words or the option to change. We all want to believe that human beings can self regulate and make some basic auto-adjustments, but when it comes to sin and immorality for real change to take place the person has to be convicted.<br />
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The legal system has given us a very different understanding of conviction than that which is actually true from a spiritual perspective. In the court system the individual is tried by a jury of their peers. In this way, the burden is on proving to the jurors enough evidence to make a decision about the individual's guilt or innocence. This is why people who are in a sinful lifestyle can engage the conversation about their sin, because they are waiting for someone to convince them that what they are thinking or doing is wrong. And this is also when you will hear someone say, 'you cant make me feel guilty', letting you know that the individual is untouched by your defense of what is right. This is also the reason why, if we are not careful, we as Christians can spend a lot of time and energy trying to convince someone to give up one's sin, in hopes that something that we say might be just what is needed to convince the person to see their ways and make the necessary changes on their own.<br />
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The individual can not even hear or give any validity to what is being said to them until they have found God. Until then the ways of thinking are distorted in favor of the sin. To spiritually auto-correct is not possible, as much as we would want for the person to auto-correct, change cant not happen until there is pneuma experience. If the individual could change on their own, then that would imply that the person could be self saving, which goes completely against the Christian understanding of conversion and salvation. But when the individual has a moment of clarity that can only come from an experience with the Holy Spirit of God, there is an awareness of one's ideas and behaviors as God sees them. <br />
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This is the reason why we keep telling the Truth of God to individuals who brush it off or just dont want to do what is right. This is the Great Commission (Matthew 28), and this is what motivates the preacher to continue to preach.<br />
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Conviction, in the context of Christianity, is when the individual, <u>internall</u>y, is convinced that self is guilty of sin. Then the individual is able to hear the evidence as presented according to God's true knowledge of the details, which brings about the desire to change. This change is to completely turn away from the sinful nature, through repentance. True repentance<i> (action of change)</i> can not happen until the person has been convicted (<i>found self guilty)</i>, and makes an intelligent decision to completely surrender to God and be converted <i>(persuaded to change)</i>.<br />
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Change is possible. Sinners can give up sin. This belief is at the core of Christianity because Christianity is build around the understanding of Salvation. And Christian salvation requires Jesus Christ. To accept Jesus Christ is to admit to God that there is a need that is bigger than self and what one can do or provide for one's self. It is this reliance that gives the Christian the strength to live a life that is not controlled by the addiction of sin. It is to be humbled, to let go of the pride of life. It is to realize that one needs God more than the sin. It is to realize that God is the giver of life, and makes one not just feel alive briefly, but to live truly alive with New Life that spans eternity. <br />
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As a little girl, I can remember people literally walking in off the street and proclaiming with a loud voice that they wanted to be saved. Often times this would happen during the altar call, when the preacher would say, 'if your soul should be required of you today, this very hour, would you be ready to answer the call?'<br />
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Someone walking down the street could hear what was going on inside, but this day something happened that had never happened before. Many of them had walked by the church often because it was in their neighborhood, but when blinders were removed and the soul was willing to hear what God had been saying, the individual became aware of their guilt of sin and wanted to change, wanted to be free from the thing that had control over their life. The individual was able to see that the feeling of being alive that they were experiencing by being controlled by their sin was no longer as appealing as the search to find out what it was really like to be free from the bondage of sin and know truly what it was like to be alive, to be born again, given a new life in Jesus Christ.<br />
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<br />MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-17361727741409287782017-10-16T22:58:00.000-04:002017-10-16T22:58:49.193-04:00Parts and Divides This past weekend something came to my mind that I really hadnt thought much about in years. It was a very hurtful and devastating phase of my life. It doesnt take up much space in my thoughts because it is in the past; and God got me through the situation and beyond the situation.<br />
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But today, as I reflect, I think about how faithful God was to me in the midst of a great trying time in my life. Against all odds, God provided for me as a single mother. There were times and challenges, and there still are, but through it all God has been faithful. My testimony is a very amazing one. It causes me to stand in awe of how great God truly has been to me. It has given me such a grateful heart. It has also shown me how to be ok with and without over the years.<br />
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Just thinking about how badly things could have gone for me is enough to make what I survived even more amazing. God's hand of protection was with me through some things that seem to be more dramatic than anything in a movie plot. But sometimes reality is more extreme than anything a movie writer can formulate for the big screen.<br />
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Even some of the things that I am currently dealing with fall under the category of 'troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.' Adversaries thought I would be destroyed, but what they found out was that God has created me to be formidable. Storms have been brewing all around me and God has given me so much grace that I am watching it all take place as if I have a great seat in a theater in the round.<br />
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When I think about the characteristics of God, I have to remember that along with being a Creator and Sustainer, God is also a Divider and a Separator. Initially these may seem to be negatives, but when we read God's Word, we see in the the very beginning of creation God divided light from darkness. This can lead to a plethora of theological and homiletic themes. Much of the biblical text carries out this theme of separation that God makes dividing lines, if you will.<br />
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The parting of the Red Sea is talked about in terms of its miracle quality, but we must not forget the logistical components of God being able to divide. This is proof that God can part or separate anything that God so desires. This kind of divide meant that not only did the water divide, but every creature and composition within the ecological environment of the sea. What was created by God, must submit to God's command. What an awesome thought. What a humbling thought.<br />
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Whatever the situation, all that is needed is for God to speak. God clearly makes distinctions at times to accomplish the Will and Purpose of God. It may be temporary and it may be permanent. But it is God's pleasure that the creation must obey. This has been true in many of the fine details of my life. I thank God for keeping me separated from foolishness. God has done some things that can only be credited to the ONE, the TRUE, and LIVING GOD.<br />
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<br />MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-35085027169827815072017-10-10T23:38:00.000-04:002017-10-10T23:38:56.365-04:00Sea of ForgetfulnessAs I attempted to settle down for the night, I thought about all that has been going on with me lately. And to be completely honest, this thought process includes some people that I truly wish I had never met. In the midst of my thought process, I had to face the fact that I cant just un-know these people. Instead, I have to figure out how to move on from this phase to the next, and hopefully just move on to what is ahead for me in my life, both naturally and spiritually.<br />
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This doesnt mean that I was not trying to figure out the most perfect solution to the hurt and disappointment that has been the effect of betrayal and disloyalty. In my mind, I really wanted there to be a way to truly just forget that I ever knew these people that have had this negative impact on my attempt to be a friend. I thought if there were really a way for me to put all knowledge of these people into the sea of forgetfulness and never to remember that I ever met them at all.<br />
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The more I thought about it, I began to realize that this is not very different from what is being talked about in Micah 7. We always want to use the concept of the Sea of Forgetfulness as this wonderful blessing that we get from God. Which is true. ... and here comes the conjunction...... BUT.<br />
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But what we dont want to face is the fact that something is going on in the text that we must make not of. The attitudes and behaviors that God expected from the People of God were not how the people were living. God had high expectations and high hopes for the People of God. That is still true today. God has high hope and high expectations of God's People. So when the behaviors of the individual, of the community of faith fall short, God is disappointed. Then there is something worse than just disappointing God, it is disgusting God. <br />
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Abomination is much more than disappointing God, it is being completely disgusting to God. As I thought about how disgusted I am with those who have disappointed me, I also had to think about how God views abomination. How is God able to tolerate dealing with a human who is living so far below God's expectations? I had to search out a way to understand that what God has to do is just put the sins of humanity into a place to be forgotten so that God can remain able to be available to humanity.<br />
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It is the mercy of God. It is the patience of God when God's patience has run out. It is God wanting to stay in relationship with the People of God, even though the people have lost sight of the value of the relationship with God. The kindness of God reaches much farther than we realize. God is so willing to forgive us of our sins. When we dont even try to do right, knowing that God is watching, we are disappointing God, and we are disgusting God. <br />
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So more than bragging about how God will forgive and forget, the more important concern should be why would we want to be such a disappointment to God that we disgust God? What if we just decided to live right, so that we could be intentional about pleasing God?<br />
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After all, isnt that what being given another chance is about?MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-86169930170956760402017-09-01T22:29:00.002-04:002017-09-01T22:29:36.414-04:00Unplanned PLAN<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are clearly some things that were not in my plans for my life, but they were ultimately part of God's Plan for my life. Today I have really been giving some thought to my journey. Recently, it would seem that things are going exactly the way that I was trying to prevent having to deal with. I want the final outcome, but not the challenges that would be the risk of losing something to gain something. Not in the same way that I invest in products for my business to be able to provide a service to my clients. But more like a mother who wants to have a new baby, but does not want to feel the pains of labor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In recent years, there have been medical advances that have taken away the necessity of enduring the pain of labor. And overall, our world is filled with comforts that take the work out of many of the every day processes of life. Washing machines, electric saws, power tools, and on and on. I think back to learning how to make cake icing, and the process required this combination of mixing and whisking to blend the ingredients, and even after they were blended, you had to whisk the mixture at least 100 strokes to make the icing have the correct fluffy texture. And even now that I have many of the electric kitchen tools, there are some things that to me just dont come out the same without the work of doing it by hand, and icing is one of those things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So we have become so accustomed to the world of convenience that we often forget that some things have no shortcut process that will produce the same results as going through the process. Just like icing or grilling meat low and slow over charcoal, there are some things in life that have to happen a certain way for the most rewarding outcome. And as I was thinking about the events of my life in recent days, I began to reminisce on the book by Zora Neale Hurston, "Their Eyes Were Watching God" which is about a main character who is living her life, but surrounded by spectators who all have an opinion about her life, as if they understand her journey more so than she. The character navigates her life, its ups and downs working through the challenges as they come to her reality, as she is finding her way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In this same way, each of us has our journey through life to navigate and it is very much an individual process that happens while simultaneously being surround by community. When someone has a call to ministry on their life, it can be assumed that God has a plan for that person's life. No matter how much anyone has an opinion about what that looks like, it is God who is taking care of the details. To grow to the point of being able to flourish in one's gifts and live out one's calling, there are some parts of the journey that are growing one's skills for ministry. This means that it will not always flow with the ease of water going down hill. There will be times when one will have to face some things head on and take the challenge to grow, if one is really surrendered to the point of allowing God to be in control of what is ultimately God's Will for one's life in ministry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">From point A to point B, is not always clear, there will be times when one will have to whole-heartedly trust God for the details to work out as planned by God, not by our idea of how things should go. I have been asking God to show me how to get to point B without the discomfort of the middle part of the process. The discomfort is part of the journey, it is what make the reward worth the effort. Just like a track runner who wants to be the fasted, it cant happen sitting in the stands, but it happens by learning everything necessary to sharpen one's natural ability and from running until time gets better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The challenges we face in life are not always ideal, nor comfortable to go through, but when you want the outcome badly enough, you decide to face the challenge head on and take the bad with the good, because it will be worth it all in the end. Today, I decided that I am up for challenge of facing the discomfort that will only have to be endure for a short time to get what I ultimately want to see manifested in my life. The discomfort cant be avoided, it is part of the path that leads me right to where God is taking me. </span></div>
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Psalms 23:4 -<i><b> "<span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2px;">Yea</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2px;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2px;">though I walk through the valley</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2px;"> of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; line-height: 18.2px;">It is not actual death, it is just a shadow and shadows only produce fear when you dont know what it is a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; line-height: 18.2px;">shadow of or from what source. Since I know that it has been my own fear, I can ignore the shadow. I will continue on toward what God has for me. I want God's best for my life because it will be worth the challenges along to way and shadows let me know that God's Light is what is real. </span></span></div>
<br />MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-55203596870097723292017-08-24T01:59:00.000-04:002017-08-24T01:59:31.365-04:00InsomniaIt is 1:30am and I cant sleep.<br />
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I have so many thought in my mind right now. I spend so much of my prayer life interceding for the needs of others that I often forget to really spend time praying about the things that I need in my own life.<br />
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And this is why being awake right now is so frustrating to me. Usually when I wake up in the middle of the night, I pray for the people and the situations that have been on my mind during the day or that come to my mind when I wake up. But when I woke up this time, my mind was flooded with thoughts of things that I need in my own life.<br />
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In the clinical world of providing services to others, there is an emphasis on self care. It is the understanding that you cant give to others if you not keeping yourself in a good place mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The most basic example of this would be to think about the speech that they give you on the airplane about what to do in case of emergency. The instructions are to give yourself oxogen first, then share the oxogen with those around you. In this way, you are more capable when you have what you need.<br />
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And this would be the sum total of why I am awake in the middle of the night. I am being forced to face the truth of my own life. I have spent the last few years frustrated with myself because I know that I am not reaching my fullest potential, nor am I achieving at the rate that I should have been. And like a perfect storm of reality checks, it is clear to me that I am not getting what I need to flourish. I have just been existing and trying to function as if it has been sufficient and it has not been and the state of my life is proof of that fact.<br />
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So now, I am awake creating an order of importance for the things that I need to do for my self, for my own life. There are some voids in my own life that I need to give some attention to so that I can be nourished and therefore function at a higher level of efficiency. It is not being selfish in a way that doesnt care for others, but it is being selfish in a way that will help me to care for others better.<br />
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<br />MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-11991517850304589862017-05-22T23:09:00.000-04:002017-05-22T23:09:27.897-04:00Spirituality and Sexuality - Part 1For some days now I have been thinking about writing on the topic of love, but instead I am going to try to tackle a much more intense topic that is rarely discussed from a Christian spiritual frame of thinking. It will probably take more than one post to really begin to unpack this topic, because there are a lot of variables that can play out, both naturally and spiritually.<br />
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Sex is not often talked about by Christians as a positive. Most of the time when it is discussed in church, it is from the list of dont do. So even when Christians get married, they enter into marriage not knowing much about how sacred the sexual act of intercourse really is for both of them.<br />
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There needs to be more clarity given to the difference in the sacred act of intercourse in marriage and the physical sport of casual sexual behavior that is so common in our culture today. The bible is constantly talking about the flesh in the New Testament. This is for a very good reason.<br />
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You need your senses to be aware of the natural world around you as well as to be aware of the spiritual world around you. If you allow your senses to control you, then you will become desensitized to what is going on around you, both naturally and spiritually. You have to be the controller of your flesh, you can not allow your flesh to control you.<br />
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In the context of a monogamous marriage, the senses are strengthened and not depleted. This is because the man and the woman are sharing a sacred sexual experience. They are becoming unified and this level of unity manifest in every aspect of their lives as individuals and as a couple. This is why you will hear married people begin to use the same vocabulary and phrases, and even begin to communicate much more non verbally, as they become in tune with each other.<br />
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Pastors can look at the couples in their congregation and see which couples are truly unified and which couples are trying to pretend to be unified. When a couple is not equally yoked it is obvious, it shows in many ways, but most importantly it shows in what they are able to accomplish in their walk with Christ, and in their individual callings.<br />
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Sexual intercourse is not only the sharing of the physical body, but it is also the sharing of that person's spiritual self. So the person who has multiple sexual partners is becoming sexually schizophrenic. When you share your essence with someone, you are basically giving and receiving. You are giving away some of who you are spiritually and receiving some of who that person is spiritually. So when you are sexual with a person who does not view their own body as sacred and spiritually connected to God, then you are devaluing your own body and spirit.<br />
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In church, the message is to avoid being 'unequally yoked', or a more modern way to say it to say dont be tied to someone who is not a spiritual match. The yoke is an apparatus that is used to tie two working animals together so that the strength of them both can be used to increase the productivity by powering the load to be pulled by the strength of the unified effort. If one is too much stronger than the other, the stronger one will tire too quickly from taking too much of the labor load, and will eventually be dragging not only the weight of the load, but of the other animal too. This will not only make the progress take longer, but will eventually bring the work to a complete stop, much sooner than if the two animals are more equal in strength. <br />
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Take that and apply it to a marriage, and you can have two people who are on the same path and level of awareness spiritually and they can accomplish much more, and much faster than they could as individuals working solo. But if one of the people in the marriage is spending all of their prayer life and the spiritual awareness trying to drag someone along the path to spiritual growth, they risk becoming tired and unable to accomplish very much for the Kingdom because their spouse is lagging behind and as a team, they cant go any faster or any farther than the weaker, slower person is able or willing.<br />
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In seminary, one of the counseling classes that I had to take was Spirituality and Sexuality. This class was a lot of information about the functions of the body and how to minister to people who were dealing with various sexual issues and concerns. But when the instructors started talking about how you must understand that you are who you share your body with because you are sharing spiritually because sex is a spiritual act, I realized that in my upbringing this had not been discussed, but on some level it made total sense. <br />
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This is why those who are the most depleted as individuals are those who have given themselves away freely, and who are also the most empty spiritually and emotionally. The constant search for what can only be found in God is what the they are actually trying to find in another empty person. And two empty people can only share their emptiness. And the more empty the individual feels, the more they seek after someone to make them feel better, to feel full. It becomes a sad and dangerous cycle.<br />
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For a person to value your body, they must value their own. The person must see their sexuality as a sacred expression, not to be shared with just anyone and not to be shared with someone who is not on the same spiritual path. If a person shares their body with some who is spiritually schizophrenic, then the individual is welcoming all of those spirits that the other person has into their being as well. When this happens, all the spirits become familiar. When the spirits all become familiar, then the senses dont become alarmed and are no longer alert to the danger. As a matter of fact, because the spirits seem familiar, they will also seem to be safe. In other words, the spiritual attack is not an aggressive or violent one, but a gentle sensual one.<br />
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The bible lets us know that the marriage bed is undefiled, because the expectation is of respect for the body as sacred, and respect for the sexual experience of the marriage to be free from the residue of other people's spiritual residue. Therefore sacred sexuality is in the context of a monogamous marriage between spiritual equals. Even if they are not equals, they become equally what each person brings into the covenant bond. In this way , the marriage changes both the man and the woman into the version of self that is enmeshed with what they share with their spouse.MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-7346784220053183882017-05-16T09:23:00.000-04:002017-05-16T09:23:25.798-04:00Success is RelativeSuccess is relative. Each person has their own idea of success and each person has their own measure for where one is in the journey to accomplishment. One of the biggest mistakes that anyone can make is to measure one's own level of accomplishment by someone else's accomplishments in a different area or field. <br />
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Most of the time when envy and jealous occur it is because of comparing apples to oranges, not comparing the same skills and the same types of success to each other. One thing that I have noticed is that people who are striving for their own excellence dont really have the mental energy for such comparisons anyway. The most critical opinions come from the most stagnant people. And when I say stagnant, I dont mean this to imply that the person or persons have not accomplished, but that they realize their own limitations and have some sort of regret because of how their own life choices created those limitations.<br />
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The choices that a person makes can totally shift the events of the rest of one's life. The truth is that we can not see into the future and at the time that we make the decision, we feel it is the best decision or the right decision based on the current information that we have at the time. And in most cases, there are ways to adjust or modify the decision, but some times the decisions that we make just have to walk out and live with, accepting what it brings with it.<br />
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A spirit filled Christian should always be prayerful about major decisions. In this, one must be willing to be obedient to what the Holy Spirit is guiding one to do. When it comes to living out one's calling, this really cant be determined by anyone else. We live in a world that says that you must get the approval of others, but in truth, people may not always understand or agree with your calling. This can be challenging for the person who needs the affirmation of others to feel comfortable taking certain steps in life. It is normal for each of us to want to be loved and accepted, but we may not always get this from the people that we look to provide it for us.<br />
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Finding the love and support that one needs to nourish one's human need for affirmation and a sense of community can be challenging for us all, and especially for those who dont fit in with mediocrity. So may people who have gifts and callings to go farther and higher in areas of success dont do so because of the need for a sense of community, and the fear of being isolated in the process of reaching for more within the context of one's goals.<br />
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The truth is that one can not truly flourish and reach the fullest potential of one's own goals until one is really ready to let go of the atmosphere of mediocrity. Getting uncomfortable is what pushes one forward, gives one the determination to proceed regardless of the opinions of those who are comfortable in mediocrity. Along the way, one begins to meet others who are on similar journeys, and this provides a more natural and organic sense of community, a community of people who can understand and affirm the journey.<br />
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Let's be honest, everyone is not built for the same types of success. And some dont have the drive to go out into the unknown with the courage that it takes to face what others cant imagine. Most of the time, the people who discourage others from working toward their vision do so because it is not their vision. You cant expect people to understand what they cant see or imagine. Anyone who does not understand the vision will have a hard time being a part of your journey towards accomplishing it.<br />
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It is my prayer that the God given vision will take you into the fullness of following the calling and the gifts that God has place in this time and space for a reason. I pray that God surround you with people who understand what it is like to step out of the routine and reach for all that God has for you. True happiness is living affirmed in what God created you to do and to be.MCWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02910005461848776435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-20254899763731833932017-04-19T23:09:00.000-04:002017-04-19T23:09:48.964-04:00I Haven't Ask God For EnoughThis evening I had a conversation with a friend who is a single parent like myself, and we were talking about the challenges of even meeting a potential companion. We are both single parents and our lives are built around the activities of church and our children. We attend a large church, that is probably about 85% or more married couples, and most of the singles are females.<br />
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In our conversation we both agreed we didnt have any brilliant ideas about where to add meeting new people to our lives. I mentioned some of the possible activities that we might explore to meet new people in general, activities that would be co-ed and not just full of more single women. We tossed around a few thoughts, but didnt come up with anything that would be an Aha! moment. So we left the conversation with continue on as usual as the stopping point of our discussion.<br />
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I went home thinking about all that I needed to do to settle in for the evening and to get ready for tomorrow. As I reflected on our conversation, in my mind, I went through what was wrong with the last person that I attempted to consider allowing into my life. I thought about all of the disappointment and the betrayal that was the package that this person brought with him. I had tossed and tossed in my mind about what was the problem, because after all he was saved. So a saved man would be trustworthy and dependable and full of integrity - or so I thought.<br />
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This is when it dawned on me. This was when I had the AHA! moment. I had been making an amateur's mistake in my prayer for a life companion. When I went down through all of the thoughts in my mind about what I didnt want to have to deal with at this phase in my life, it occurred to me that I was making the assumption that someone considering himself a Christian, meant that he was the whole package. I was absolutely wrong! This actually only meant that he had completed step one, in a life long, three step process. <br />
What I was not asking for in my prayers was someone who was <u>more than</u> saved. No, I am not taking about his material gain, or his education level, or even what was in his past. But what I was missing was something extremely essential to his present state of being in his walk with Jesus Christ = Sanctification and being filled with the Holy Ghost. I have been around the church world of Pentecostals most of my life and these three works of Grace are considered essential for maintenance of a Christian Life of Holiness. I had forgotten, that everyone who considers to be Christian is not trying to become more like Christ. Some people are willing to take the just enough approach to having a relationship with Jesus Christ. I dont want someone in my life who is taking the minimalist approach to Christ.<br />
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It takes wanting to go to another level in relationship with Christ, to live Godly and walk away from the sinful nature, giving up the things in life that are contrary to a life of holiness. I am not claiming to be perfect, so I dont expect my future companion to be perfect, that would be unrealistic and self deception. But do want someone who is working on being a better man, and who in his heart, truly wants to live a life that is pleasing to God. For that to happen, he will have to want more of God, more of God's Holy Spirit. The person has to have a hunger for the things of God. The person has to realize that everything else that he has tried has not cured the uneasiness in their being. It is when the person has come to the conclusion that there has to be a better way, and be willing to give up everything that hasnt worked, for what God has to offer. He will have to have already come to the conclusion that what he is thirsty for can not be found in a sinful lifestyle, but only in the 'wells of salvation' where there is joy and peace beyond compare to anything that sin has to offer. He has to have a thirst for what is right. He has to want to be right with God. This is the place of no longer wanting to struggle to maintain a life of sin, a life that goes against God plan for LIFE.<br />
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All of the things that I dont want to deal with in a relationship, and especially in a future companion wont be a problem with a man who wanting to go in the same direction that I am going, and who has no interest in going backwards spiritually. So I now realize that I have been very minimal in my prayer. I don't just want someone in my life who is saved. I want a man in my life who is SAVED, SANCTIFIED, and FILLED with the HOLY GHOST. I want the whole package. I want God's best for my life.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-76002015506553525052017-03-09T13:11:00.001-05:002017-03-09T13:11:13.478-05:00STRONGHOLDS<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have had a lot on my mind the past few days. And for some reason, I went to bed last night thinking about the buoyancy of a duck. This lead me to wonder if a duck could actually drown. So I went to Google and Youtube to find out. It turns out that a duck can actually drown. Furthermore, other ducks can and do intentionally drown fellow ducks. </div>
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Now in my head, I had decided that ducks would not be able to drown because they are full of oil. If you have ever eaten duck, which I do highly recommend, by the way, if not prepared well it is greasy because the flesh of the duck holds a lot of oil. So in my mind, the duck was so full of anointing, if you will allow me, it would not sink. All though it sounds great, it is not accurate. </div>
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What actually keeps the duck afloat is a combination of a waxy coating on its feathers and air pockets that give ducks the ability to float. Ducks are not heavy birds, so they do have some advantages to this in their ability to float and swim. </div>
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This made me think about how often we take for granted what we think is holding us up in life. Most of us could do more in focusing on what we have on our outer layers that are keeping us afloat. Way to often, we let things outside of one's self have control and influence over our actions and motives. This is why recognizing strongholds is so important for the Christian. </div>
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Anything that has more power over you or influence on your behavior than the Holy Spirit and Word of God can become or already is a stronghold. It is important to put on the Whole Armor of God. This is the protective barrier that keeps outside forces from having control in one's life. Most of the time, the things that control the individual, whether it be addiction, or immoral behavior, is rooted in in unhealed hurts. It is rooted in a thirst for the healing that can only come from the Power of God being active in one's life. It requires surrender, not sort of or partially, but complete surrender. It requires wanting to be nourished by God and find healing to the point that nothing else matters as much. In this sense of crisis and urgency, one finds the desire to become sanctified, cleansed from things that are not right in the Eyes of God. </div>
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You can not take control over what has a hold on you. You can not take authority over what has authority over you. One can not take authority over what one feels sorry for - this will only cause you to make excuses for it. And one can not take authority over something that has the ability tempt one with an offer- this will cause you to be in fellowship with it. If you try to take authority over what has authority over you, at the same time that what has authority over you is trying to maintain authority over you, then you are wrestling with that stronghold. </div>
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(Ephesians 6:10-20).</div>
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As long as living sinfully appears to have more to offer than living for Christ, the individual is not at a place of surrender. That means that the stronghold is still actively controlling the motives and behaviors. We can overcome those things that want to hold us back from our godly potential. We have to be intentional to shut down access to our lives of anyone and anything that brings distance to our relationship with God. We must not allow strongholds to have access to our mentality and our desires. </div>
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This past week, I read a good bit of <a href="http://www.swartzentrover.com/cotor/e-books/holiness/Palmer/Devotion/EDGindex.htm" target="_blank">Entire Devotion to God</a> by Phoebe Palmer and one of the things that I noticed was her sense of urgency toward sanctification and holiness. This sense of urgency was once a major theme in holiness churches, but in recent years has taken a back seat to other more popular topics. But Palmer makes the point that we are not guaranteed to have more time to fix or repair the damage that we are doing to our eternal potential, nor should we become too relaxed about taking control over the sin in our lives. </div>
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Strongholds rob us of our potential in the Kingdom of God. They drown us in misguided priorities. Physically, Mentally, and literally, we have to respond well spiritually so that the natural manifestation in one's life reflects the determination to live according to God's Word. We have the authority of God's Word as grounds for changing our attitude and mindset, so that we can walk away from sinful behaviors and become intentional about raising our own standards. Strongholds reflect lowered standards. Living according to God's Word reflects higher standards. Through the Power of Jesus Christ, we have the ability to overcome challenges and weakness in our lives and to be healed and made whole. </div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We dont have to sink in sin. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We dont have to die in our sins. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We can be free. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We can be made whole. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We can be saved. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We can be healed. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We can be delivered. </li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">We can be filled with the Power of the Holy Ghost. </li>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-2510234673175782912016-12-23T09:24:00.000-05:002016-12-28T10:04:55.527-05:00Be Sure Your Anchor HoldsI have had some things on my mind for a while now, but this week it just got to be an enough is enough situation. I made up my mind to disconnect from those involved for several reasons. First and foremost the character issues involved that are showing me that I am dealing with a 'frienemy', and at this point in my life,<b> I only have room for allies. </b><br />
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When I woke up this morning several things came across my mind from various phases in my life from childhood til now, and then this song written by the late C.P. Jones came to mind:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">I will make the darkness light before thee,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">What is wrong I’ll make it right before thee,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">All thy battles I will fight before thee,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: serif; font-weight: bold;">And the high place I’ll bring down.</span><br />
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This has been a busy week. The past few days have been full of activity and the week is not even half over. It is a season where Christians need to be focused and intentional about our identity in God. Some things that I have suspected have become clear. A lot has taken place, both in the spiritual and in the natural. In the midst of it all, I had to come to terms with the fact that some people that I considered friends have shown themselves to be disappointing as friends, and as Christians. Honesty, loyalty, integrity - these are characteristics that one must have, not for the sake of others, but for the sake of representing one's own character.<br />
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This is disappointing because when you are trying to stay focused on doing what was right, you have to distance yourself from people who don't want the same things in God that you are trying to seek after. Only my best friend knows what this struggle has entailed for me and how it has been a true challenge to focus on choosing to do what was right instead of what I wanted. As I was giving her an update on all that has been going this week, she just kept saying, 'this is too much'. I hate it when she is right, but I totally had to agree with her. It has taken a lot of prayer and has caused me to see the importance of choosing whether I want what I can do for myself or choosing to wait for what God can do in my life. In that way being able to trust God regardless of how God deals with the matter, because the Lord knows what is best and I trust that for what I get and what I may never get. So, yeah to realize that I have friends that are behaving with less integrity than those who don't claim Christ is disappointing.<br />
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The outspoken me wants to say something, but I thank God for being raised around some saints of the church who taught me some very important pieces of wisdom. One of my dearest friend's mother when she saw things going on that were not right would say, 'they think they are getting way with something but the Lord is just winking at them." Now growing up in the Church of God in Christ, one thing you must know is that when a church mother says something there is some scripture for it. So I went on a search to see what the Word of God said. Sure enough in Acts 17:30-31, "<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: trebuchet, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">that</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> man whom he hath ordained; </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: trebuchet, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">whereof</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> he hath given assurance unto all </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: trebuchet, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">men</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">, in that he hath raised him from the dead"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So with these individuals being Christians, they are accountable to much more than my feelings. If answering to God doesn't concern them, then the breech of my trust is nothing. Translation, I just cant worry my pretty little head about such foolishness. I pray that the Lord deal with everyone involved, and ask the Lord to help me stay focused on doing what is right. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No, I dont claim to be perfect, I have my flaws and shortcomings just like anyone else. But I try to remember that I am accountable to God, and for that reason I want to do the best that I can to make the right decisions. And that is not always easy, but most necessary. James 4: 7-10, "</span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: trebuchet, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">your</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> hands, </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: trebuchet, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">ye</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> sinners; and purify </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: trebuchet, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">your</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> hearts, </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: trebuchet, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">ye</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> double minded. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: trebuchet, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">your</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"> joy to heaviness. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "trebuchet" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">There are plenty of scriptures that let us know that one of the challenges of living right is about our sinful nature being in a tug of war with the Will of God. The flesh is very much a distraction to spiritual things. The point is that what you want in the natural can keep you from getting what God has for you in the spiritual, and what God has for you spiritually comes with both </span></span><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">spiritual</span></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> and natural benefits and blessings. You cant give yourself anything that will compare to what God will give you in HIM. This is not pie in the sky, nor is it prosperity gospel---- this is <b>Abundant Life: It reaches to every aspect of your being and life.</b> It is not limited because God is, was and is to come. On all sides of time and on all sides of every situation, God is non-negotiable in power and authority. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">One of the things that most anyone who knows me knows is that I love water. I love to swim in the pool or the ocean, the lake. Yes, I am a country girl, and when I was young I spent some time swimming in the lake. Now, I prefer the pool or the ocean. Swimming in the ocean takes real understanding of the currents and physical strength. One of the things that any swimmer will tell you is that it is easy to swim away from shore, but is seems much harder to swim back. Not only because of the currents in the water underneath the surface, but also because by the time you realize that you need to be headed back to safety you have less energy left. Many times the currents have caused you to be further from shore than you really intended to be. You can be so busy enjoying the water that you dont realize that you are moving away from safety and solid ground. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Boats use an anchor to help them stay in a location. And anchor is a heavy metal piece that is put down in the water to keep the ship from moving due to weather conditions, such as wind or storm, and also to keep the current from moving it too far from the intended location. This is because even in what seems to be still and calm waters the boat can actually be moving, but it </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">doesn't</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> seem like anything is changing. The environment of being surrounded by water can give the illusion of </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">stagnancy </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">, but in actuality you can move for miles and not even realize it. Thus the reason for the anchor to hold the boat in place. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Once again I must refer to the church mother, who would say, "be sure your anchor holds." Isaiah 48:2 does not use the word anchor, but the intent of the words in modern English would give the same intent when it says, "</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts </span><i style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: arimo, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">is</i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> his name." </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then we have Hebrews chapter 6 which is a call to spiritual maturity, and does actually use the work anchor.</span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">The wisdom of the church mothers was to let us know that there obvious dangers, but there would also be times when life would bring situations that would seem harmless but would have the potential to slowly pull you away from the safety of the things of GOD. The Christian community contains all kinds of personalities, but the tenets of the faith apply to us all. The situation of the southern and northern kingdoms of Israel show us the importance of this in Psalm 80, a prayer for revival. We need consecration. </span><br />
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A few days ago, I was thinking about how is it that some people can come before God with a sense of entitlement and arrogance ... and other people can come before God with humility and appreciation? In my thought process, I began to think about my grandmother. When we were children and would do something obviously with the wrong intentions, she would say, "have you no shame?" </div>
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That was the cue to do some self reflection, and correct the behavior... Not just at that moment, but from that moment forward. </div>
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When we look at so many of the events that are taking place with those closest to us, and as far reaching as the national platforms - the question is still a valid one to ask. Police have no shame in killing both the incident and the guilty without due process of the legal system, males procreating but not fathering their children, people walking around all day -out in public- in pajamas or with their underwear on display, broadcasting intimate life details on social media..... And on and on and on.</div>
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There is a lack of connection to what is right and good. Our society has become accustomed to anything and everything. The standards are so relaxed now, that even the most basic requirements seem like too much to ask. Everyone believes that they are a good person, because behavior should not be the measure of one's character. It is as if good and evil are now void of meaning. That is how the decline of morality has seeped in to the norm of our culture. The inability to acknowledge anything, is in essence a way to affirm everything. It doesn't work that way. </div>
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Acknowledging one's own sinful nature is even more challenging under these terms. Because under these terms, there really is no sin, just misinterpretation. So it is much easier to redefine everything constantly and conveniently than to call things wrong or right according to biblical standards. It is much easier to point out the flaws in the character of others than it is to be introspective and to acknowledge one's own flaws. It is larger than claiming or owning an act or event of sin, but the humiliation of knowing the lack of one's own moral accountability. Example: A married Christian protesting gay marriage, but being unfaithful in one's own heterosexual marriage. {My grandmother would say, "two wrongs don't make a right.} It is a hurtful feeling to humiliate yourself to yourself. This is when you know that you are wrong, even if no one else knows or identifies it. </div>
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Have you no shame? = Are you not able to hold yourself accountable for what you know is right? </div>
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The kind of shame that leads a sinner to repentance is the ability to stand in awe of God's completeness of being (Wholeness/Holiness), and comparing one's inferior state of being (sinful nature). I use the word 'ability' because the sinful nature brings with it arrogance and a sense of self righteousness, which has to be shattered before one can realize the need to change. It is hard to be humiliated, especially internally. Shame is not about being humiliated by the awareness that others see your wrong, but it is the internal dialogue that happens within self. When the error of your ways become so overpowering that change is absolutely necessary, this is when one is ready to surrender to God. Conviction is being convinced that wrong was done. Repentance is the determination to change from a nature of wrong-being, intentionally going in the right direction - in mindset, intention and deed. </div>
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When a person has no shame: wanting the results of what is right, but lacking the desire to be or do right. It is wanting the reward without the effort. This leads to behaviors that lack integrity. The lack of integrity is also a lack of shame. </div>
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Sanctification is the intentional effort to live a life separated from sin, it is biblically based integrity. It does not imply perfection, but intention. The greater the intention, the more probable the success of the effort. It is an effort that becomes a lifestyle. The more it is practiced, it becomes the norm. Each day, each individual has to make a conscious effort to make sin the norm or to make sanctification the norm. Each day, the effort will become easier to maintain the course, and this is why it is important to remain intentional. </div>
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The nature of humanity is such that in most, if not all cases, the change of behavior will not come until one's desire to be right has become solidified. Forced change can take place due to social norms or even penal systems, but a change of heart has to happen from within, before the individual is really capable of true repentance. For example, a child can hit another child for no reason and an adult require a verbal apology to be given. The child can learn when it is appropriate to say the words, but never have any intention to stop hitting the other child. But once the child determines that he or she does not want to hit others for no reason, the behavior will shift, not only to avoid hitting others intentionally, but also making the effort to not hit other unintentionally. That is the formation of character. </div>
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So when we have expectations of God, but no desire to change - "Have we no shame?" </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-45538611633228216262016-08-01T00:50:00.000-04:002016-08-01T00:50:22.432-04:00TemptationToday, was a good day. I went to church, as I regularly do, but today was different for several reasons. I have had a lot on my mind and I have been questioning some of the ways that I have handled some choices in my personal life. <div>
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As most of us do at some point and time, I was thinking about how differently my outcomes could have been if I had made some different choices, both career and personal. So when I say that I went to church today, that was really loaded with a lot of alternatives that were going through my head---specifically the thought of spending the day on the beach. But I decided to stay the course and go to church. </div>
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I love my church. Being a part of a community of believers is very important to me. What makes this important is the shared understanding of what Phil Robertson- the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family- calls "Biblical Correctness". Biblical principles are the foundation to my views and to be in a church that goes to the Bible to articulate why certain topic should be discussed a certain way or managed a certain way is important. </div>
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Today we had a guest speaker. I have never heard him before, and didnt know anything about him other than I know that there are some specific criteria about the type of speaker that will be invited to speak at my church. And this man did not disappoint. The topic of his sermon was "Our Conviction". He gave several examples of why we have our convictions and what the world system is set in place to do regarding pulling us way from what we believe about God and our walk as believers and followers of Christ. </div>
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So, as I reflect on several things, I realize that what causes us to be challenged in our convictions is temptation. It comes in many forms and in many ways. It is not always the obvious right or wrong, but temptation most of the time looks like the better option. It looks like the easier option and it markets a better outcome. </div>
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Temptation has the job of trying to convince you that you can outsmart the plan of God. In this way, making wrong look right is the ultimate goal. And it is impossible to hold on to both wrong and right at the same time. So temptation is what forces you to feel like you have to choose, it becomes an either/or dynamic. This is when you begin to feel the urge that a choice must be made quickly, before you miss the opportunity and before you talk your self into something else. Anything that requires you to rush, might be something to take notice of whether it is leading you in the right way or the wrong way. Ask yourself, what is the urgency? If the urgency is not related to pleasing God or obeying God's Word, then more than likely it is temptation trying to pull you away from what is right. </div>
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Since it is temptation's job to look like, not only a good idea, but the best idea, this means that many times scripture or doing right will seem to be the outcome. For example, Sarah had already been given a promise from God. One that she laughed at because it seemed impossible. It was not that she didn't want what God had promised, but in her trying to rationalize how it could be, she decided to help the process along. She decided to act without instruction from God. If God could send the messengers to tell her and her husband what God was going to do, then obviously if God had instructions for them those would have been given. But without instructions Sarah figured she would figure it out herself. </div>
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Temptation would have to believe that God needs you to figure out how to make what God has already said come to reality. This is not true. God is fully aware of the details needed for what God has planned for your life. God has all of the details under control. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-73546929662064816022016-07-05T12:32:00.000-04:002016-07-05T12:33:34.616-04:00DISOBEDIENCEA few weeks ago, I was praying about some very specific things. This was intercession for several people and situations and also specifically for someone whose life is obviously facing several challenges. It is one of those times when you cant help but to be empathetic when you see someone hurting, but what became clear the more I prayed about it was that this person was dealing with their own disobedience.<br />
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We have all been there. Anyone who claims perfection makes me skeptical to put it kindly. I know that I have at many times walked in my own stubborn way concerning some situations in my own life. But as my faith has increased, I have learned that it is much better to just learn to practice patience than to have to figure out how to correct unnecessary mistakes. In the end, I have learned to just remind myself that I trust God.<br />
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So I sat with the concept for a few days, trying to decide if I was supposed to say something to the person or to just continue to pray. Galatians 5:18 kept coming to my mind. I kept reading the whole chapter and trying to figure out how to have a conversation about what was going on in the natural versus what was going on in the spiritual. Way to often do we respond to spiritual things in the natural. Using one's cognitive abilities must come by wisdom to know the difference. I would like to spend some time talking about discernment, but I think that will happen another time. But for now, I will just say that we have to learn to follow our discernment, it is God showing us what we are responding to and how to best respond.<br />
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The conclusion that came to was that this person already knows that they are being disobedient, because it is written into the fact of being disobedient. A person has to be given instruction and be intentional about doing something else for it to classify as disobedience. It is the complete opposite of to obey. There is a complete difference in doing something wrong and not knowing that it was wrong, or not knowing what should be done. <b>But once you have been told what to do and act with intention and purposefully calculate how to do otherwise, that is clearly disobedience. </b><br />
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Being analytical, I began to think about the reasons that a Christian would be disobedient to God. At the top of the list was fear. Doubting God's provision is what causes the fear. When a person becomes fearful of their needs not being met, they respond with their survival instincts and not their faith. Many times, this survival instinct is why we respond based on the facts in the natural instead of the spiritual. The bible is full of warnings about the flesh because the body is a strong guide, if we don't remain intentional about keeping our intentions on doing things according to God's design. Instinct and flesh encourages one to do things in a way that will produce a right now solution, even if it doesn't guarantee longevity or vitality to one's life. The deception is in thinking that we can do more for ourselves than God can do for us. In actuality, God wants to give us much more than we can image possible. It is the limitations of our human minds that cant see all that God wants to give us.<b> So instead of reaching for what we cant even imagine from the hand of God, we go after what we can see and get for ourselves. </b><br />
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Wanting a solution right now, and an easy solution is basically attempting to outsmart God. This never turns out to be the easiest way to go about things, but the flaws of humanity seem to make this appealing. It takes a few bumps in the road of life to see that God's way is going to be the best way to face any situation in life. Because it is much better to face challenges with God on our side, than to know that we have been in opposition to the very thing that God has instructed us to focus on in life.<br />
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For the Christian who is attempting to remain in their disobedience, this is when they want prayer and encouragement from other Christians, all at the same time, knowing that in their heart they have not decided to change directions or the intent of their actions. But instead want other to ask God on their behalf that God bless their disobedience. It doesn't work like that!<br />
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And most amazingly, it is usually the very people that warned the person in the beginning not to be disobedient, that they return to asking to pray for them in the midst of what they are dealing with, as if they have forgotten what they were already told. They had received plenty of warning, because God is not going to see a person going the wrong way without giving one some guidance in how to do things differently and get yourself out of the situation before it draws you in. God is direct and not going to leave you with unsolvable riddles about the plans God has for your life.<br />
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Stubborn is the best way to describe the response to the warnings that came long before the trouble. The thing is that trouble never actually seems to be a problem in the beginning. If it wasn't appealing then it would not be a temptation. The need to rationalize why the temptation is not that bad is just a way to justify doing what one wants to do. Of course in the beginning the situation seemed manageable, and of course listening to those who love you enough to warn you was not the option taken, but instead mashing the gas and moving full speed ahead to prove that it could be done your way. But in the midst of doing it your way, is where you find compassion from those who loved you enough to tell you the truth and warn you in the beginning. They cant stop the situation, but they can pray and stand on God's Word. We, Christians, want to see our wounded healed and made whole by the Power of God.<br />
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Christians who are true to their faith will always speak in terms of God's instructions. The Word of God applies to the Christian and to the sinner, to ALL. To the world this seems to lack love, but in truth it is the most loving thing that can be done. I will admit that there are those who seem to be so harsh in their expression that others don't see the love, but most Christians are not telling you about God's instructions without knowing that they work because of their own challenges in life where God has proven to be the best solution to any problem or circumstance. Every Christian knows what it is like to repent, to have to ask God for forgiveness and to begin the journey back to where God's instruction and provision are for one's life.<br />
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I can't help but think about my own childhood. When I was young we took regular vacations to the beach. Back then, swimming in the ocean did not include a lot of concern for shark attacks and we would swim out into the water much farther than we could stand up. As a matter of fact, I can remember plenty of times swimming out so far that I would have to wait for the waves to see how far I actually was from the shore. When I realized that I was too far from shore, I would begin to swim back towards safety. I would swim out so far, because my Daddy and my uncles were also in the water, and I knew that they would come help me if I got in trouble. But they also let me swim out so far, because they knew that I was a strong swimmer. My ability allowed me to do what many of my other relatives could not do, go out into deeper waters. But even then I had to know when it was time to turn around and return to safety.<br />
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For the person who is being disobedient to God, they are out in the deep on their own. Once so far out into the deep and away from safety, the decision has to be made whether to continue going further away from safety, or whether to turn around and begin to return as fast as possible back to where there is help and support to getting back in the Will of God.<br />
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Run towards obedience.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-70751768224208432142016-07-02T07:57:00.000-04:002016-07-02T18:42:44.725-04:00Due SeasonThere is a moment in time when what seems impossible or beyond your ability suddenly looks different to you. Not because the situation has changed in the natural, but because your perspective has changed spiritually. It is when you realize that God is much more calculating than the challengers and much more limber than the obstacles. It is when you begin to see the unimaginable starting to manifest before it has actually happened completely. It is when your perspective changes from 'I don't see how'...... to 'there is NOTHING too hard for GOD'. In that moment, you realize that God is about to give you a miracle. God is about to do something that a human could not do or take the credit for when it happens. <b>When it is a true miracle, no one can be given the credit for the accomplishment but God. </b><br />
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One of the most amazing things that can happen is to watch God bring about a shift in a situation in your life. There are times when you can't see or imagine how to get from one manifestation to another, but God is so much better at the details than we could ever be, and God works in and through things that we have not even thought could be resolved. <b>It is the awesome ability of God to orchestrate and demonstrate POWER.</b><br />
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Many times we think of due as a moment, but it is a time, a season. When the season shifts we must be ready. We must be tuned into the Will of God, and to the Holy Spirit, so that we can properly respond to the shifting of the seasons. <br />
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Due Season is a shift that is not able to be calculated exactly, but when it comes, we have to be ready to change our mindset, because our function and mentality have to shift with the season. It is similar to harvest for the farmer. It does not happen in one day, but in one day you can realize that it is time to shift. The shift is when you begin to see things as ready for another phase than before.<br />
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Due Season is when you have to begin to work differently because the task and goal is different. It requires a completely different mode of operation, one that you have to be prepared for, or you will not shift efficiently in what must be done.<br />
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For example, the farmer who has prepared the ground, and planted and watered, and pulled weeds and kept an eye on the field, will begin to notice the changes that occur as the field begins to sprout and then to grow. As it grows, the farmer can begin to anticipate and even calculate when it will be time to harvest what has been planted. But there will come a day when the farmer realizes that it is time to shift, from nurturing the crops to harvesting the crops. <b>It would look like he is destroying his own work, but in truth he has shifted to another season.</b> Every thing about his mechanism must change because it is a new season. One that requires the readiness to do something with the harvest. Not only does the harvest have to happen within a window of time, but also what is going to be done with the newly harvested crop must also happen in this season, or else the work will only produce a portion of its full potential. The crop as it is harvested has to be managed to prepare for use and for storage. If the crop is not stored properly it will not be able to keep for a long period of time and much of it will become useless and spoiled. Therefore, the crop must be gathered and stored in a way that gives it potential not just for the due season, but for the seasons that are to come that will not produce anything new. It is God's way of preparing us for a time when nothing is coming due, but so that we will have no lack or need.<br />
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This is why it is so important to understand the value of the Due Season. The excitement of knowing God is providing must be met with wisdom to understand that it is God maturing some things in our lives that God has been preparing and making ready. When all the details are just as God wants, then the season shifts and the value of what we have been looking at one way suddenly turns as we see things coming not only to natural maturity, but spiritual maturity.<br />
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Due Season is the day that you realize that the shift is actually happening, that God has actually done more than you could have imaged possible. It is like the crop planted in the ground, the dirt is covering its progress, just like the situations in our lives cover our own progress. But as the plant grows and sprouts above ground, it is easier to see the progress. We have to know that God is working even when we don't see the progress. This is our faith in what God has promised.<br />
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When we begin to see the things sprouting, we can get excited because of its potential, but when God brings it into full maturity, it will be beyond what we could have ever imagined, because it is not only to help us survive, but it is also to nourish us -- both spiritually and naturally. It is also to help us walk in the fulfillment of our purpose and calling.<br />
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Due Season is not just to relieve the needs and lacking places in our lives, but it is to give us the strength and nourishment to walk in our calling and give us the fortitude and tenacity to walk in every gift that God has placed within us.<br />
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God's provision is amazing. God's provision contains so many details that we could have never even imagined. And in the timing of God, when every detail that seemed to be separate and unconnected suddenly makes sense, that is God showing us that it is time to prepare for a new season in our life. <b>When God's Promise suddenly seems tangible, that is God telling us to get prepared for the harvest that we will have when the season has shifted.</b> It cant be rushed, but we also have to be ready.<br />
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We have to have our mind prepared to let go of the old season and the work that we did in that past season and look forward to the things that will take us forward in God and the abundance of what God has been preparing to place before us in Due Season.<br />
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John 10:10<br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "arimo" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2387986638853447627.post-85798300902011440212011-10-06T19:28:00.001-04:002011-10-06T19:28:23.670-04:00Why Be A Christian?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>What really separates Christians from the rest of the world? This is the question I have been asking myself lately. Not because I dont already have my own ideas about the subject, but because I am curious to know what the mental status is of the masses. <br/><br/>For me, being a Christian, has everything to do with understanding and replicating, in my own life the ideology, theology, and compassion of Christ. After all, Christ was concerned with those in the community. People were drawn to Jesus Christ because he had something to say, but also because his actions had a huge and wonderful impact on those around him. If we are to call ourselves Christians, followers of the life and teachings of Christ, then it should stand to reason that our lives should show some effectiveness in impacting the lives of others in a positive way. <br/><br/>Docile should not ever be the mode of operation for a Christian, who is attempting to live a life motivated by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. This does not mean that Christians should be constant warriors, nor does it mean that Christians should be absolutely passive. But what it does mean that we should navigate the impact that our life has on those around us in such a way that we reflect what it is that we say we believe. <br/><br/>Lately I have found myself amazed at how many people who are good church attending Christians, but have no sensibility towards anything outside of their church and home. How can you effectively share the love of Christ when your only concern is for people who are already stepping inside the doors of the church? Dont get me wrong, there are definitely some people attending church who are not necessarily followers of the teachings of Christ. So yes, there are lives to be impacted from inside the church, but there are masses of people who are walking this earth hurting, lonely and feeling disconnected from God, who could use some insight into how the Good News includes them.<br/><br/>Church as a community of believers is important to strengthening each other, both naturally and spiritually, as we all attempt to navigate this life, but we are also held accountable to the need for those who are not connected by a relationship with Jesus Christ. But in so many ways, church has become just the alternative to the club, where people show up for the ambiance, the music, networking, or just to be seen. Attending church should not have the same agenda as going out to the club. And wearing more conservative clothes does not mean the the agenda of your heart is right. <br/><br/>Church attendance should not be about proving to anyone that you are just as much of a Christian because you are always there. Church attendance should be about a desire to learn more about God through the fellowship and study of the Word of God in the presence of like-minded followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Hearing the preached Word is important because it should draw you in to realizing that God is waiting to receive you into a relationship with all that the Kingdom of God has to offer you both in this life, and in the afterlife. <br/><br/> As Christians, our own relationship with Christ, has limited growth potential until we become active agents of Christ' love and concern for others, and not just the people that we like or the people that we think are worthy. If receiving the love of Christ was based on who was worthy, then none of us would be eligible. In fact, it is realizing how unworthy we are that leaves us in awe of God's willingness to love and provide for us. <br/><br/>Anyone who thinks being loved is based on meeting a certain set of criteria, has missed the entire point of receiving love. None of us have received loved because we were deserving of it, we received love because of the heart of the giver of that love and the desire to share it. It is a matter of desire that compels us to want to share the love of Christ with others. Once we truly understand the depth of God's love for us, we cant help but want to share this great love with others. <br/><br/>I am thankful to God that Love was not given to me based on what I deserved, but based on what I needed, even when I didnt know that it was love that I needed. God has blessed each of us with the opportunity to show the Love of Jesus Christ. It is time to stop holding on to what was meant to be shared --- for it is in the spirit of sharing this Love that we find deeper understanding of our own relationship to the Ultimate Giver - God. <br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=a47def36-41a2-8d96-94ad-004004821169' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0