Tue, May 30th - 11:21AM

COMFORTABLE?

II Corinthians 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are "at home" in the body, we are absent from the Lord.

The blessings of God fall like a cool summer rain....I am refreshed!

His love touches my deepest hurts.....I am healed!

His mercy covers my worst offense.....I am forgiven!

But until my soul breaks through the barriers of time and space taking me into His presence, I shall not be comfortable....I shall not be "at home".

We strive after that which was never meant to be. We work toward it, we pray for it, we cry out for it. Yet, we shall never attain it. We are not to feel "at home" in this strange place. We are not to feel comfort as long as our hearts, minds, and spirits are bound in this clay vessel. We will have a forever yearning within that cannot, by any measure, be appeased until we come into His kingdom. This is the way that it is meant to be.

Let us not become frustrated with the lack of comfort in our lives. Rather, let us ponder that perhaps the more "at home" we feel, the more absent from God we are.

Be blessed my brethren, for there is a place where all the comforts of "home" will be realized. Yet a little while, and we shall be with Him.

Sat, May 27th - 12:31PM

I have, I fear, been mis-understood. I do understand the language and I do understand the fear of the Lord to be a different fear.

My point, perhaps not well conveyed, was that from our childhood we have a strong image of the devil and a light image of God. We are to understand the fear of the Lord in terms of the way we might have a fear of our parents. When I was a kid, I got caught smoking and my parents were away for the day. The neighbor who caught me, told me that if I didn't tell my mother what I did, she would call and tell. I was scared and shed alot of tears awaiting the moment that I would be called to answer for my error. I had a right fear and I knew that there were going to be severe consequences for my wrong. This is the fear that I'm talking about. But this is also the fear that I feel is left out of our society as a whole and perhaps in the very body of Christ. People seem to think that they can do what ever they please without any "fear" of consequences. They may well trust the love of God, the forgiveness of God, the undying grace of God. But do they have concerns about disobedience to God? Have we come to a place of "light and casual" service to God that requires nothing and makes no demands? Should we have such a lack of "fear" of the Lord that the straight and narrow has become wide and curvy?

I hope this better explains my former post and my apologies for the mis-understanding.

In Christ and in His Love,

Fri, May 26th - 8:41AM

From my earliest memories, I have feared him. He took odd shapes in the shadows and made scary noises in the dark. He was the monster under my bed or hiding in the closet. He was every frightening thing that the imagination of a child could produce. He showed up on T.V. and at the movies. He was the witch that lived in the old house down the road with all the cats. He was the old man that looked like he didn't belong anywhere.

As I grew, he grew. He became more and more of a fear. The stories became more and more intense, filled with images of evil spirits and demons. In adolescence, we even toyed with seances and quija boards, and found ourselves shaken by the simple atomosphere that seemed to surround us in our little "games".

Then I became an adult and the fears that I had become well acquainted with as a child took on a whole new shape. Now, the fear was a real contender. He could overpower me, possess me, destroy me, kill me. He was no longer a little red suit with horns and a pointy tail. He was the worst of all monsters, the ugliest of all images. Now, I was really afraid!

The point to all of this: Where is the fear of the Lord? Why was I not more fearful of the one who holds my very life's breath in His hands? Was He so much a God of love that He could never be a God of wrath? I look now to the scriptures and I find a consuming fire! A God of jealousy and vengance. A God with a two-edged sword in His mouth, eyes of fire, feet like brass! A God, who by His word, will bring judgement on the whole earth. This is the FEAR that is real.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Consider the following in reference to the devil:

Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

Let us not exalt and amplify the fear that the devil would put upon us or others. Let us consider the maker of heaven and earth as one who is more worthy to be feared. The fear of disobedience to God, the fear of breaking His laws, the fear of what He can do to me just by His word should be the greater fear.

We must perpetuate the Love of God but let us not diminish the other parts of Him. They are very real and I am certain that there is little understanding of this in the world around us. Surely, there is no fear of God among us, or we would not find ourselves in such a filthy mess. The fear of the devil must be secondary to the fear of the Lord, as his power is also secondary.

Be blessed in this and may it speak volumes to all who read. In the Name above all Names, who is CHRIST JESUS, I remain, without fear of the one who has NO power over me!

Thu, May 25th - 5:46AM

A twisted carnage of yesterday's failures...yesterday's hurts. Fresh colors that turn quickly to a dim shade of gray. This is a place of the past and of the future. A place where I struggle against a strong opponent. I sit quietly in the silent hours between the past and what lies ahead. Desperation sets in......

Still my thoughts, oh Lord, that I may hear from you. Calm the racing heart that anticipates what may lie ahead. My own worries and fears shadow my knowledge of you, trying to take control.

Then Your voice, Your still small voice whispers and I find peace. Your presence is not just head knowledge, I feel Your touch and I know that You are with me. I know that a path has already been cleared before me. I know that I am under Your sheltering care. I know that nothing has the power to stand against You. I know that I am one of Your chosen, hand picked to be called Your child. Whom or what shall I fear?

I breathe deeply and rest. The day that stood before me as a giant has been diminshed. I shall walk in freedom! My tears shall be tears of gladness. My heart shall fear nothing....

FOR YOU ARE GOD!

Tue, May 23rd - 6:46AM

He formed the worlds with just a word. He formed me with His hands. The same hands that hold the worlds in place, hold me when I'm weak. The hands that took the nails, hold my hands to guide me. It is with my hands that I make my living, it is by His hands that I live.

I am graven on the palms of His hands. Not just my name, but everything that I am. Everything about me, everything that I shall be, every tear and every heartach, all of me in His hands. I imagine how He often clasps His hands together to hide me from the enemy and how He sometimes opens His hand wide that I might grow. Shaken and cold from the storm, His hands craddle me gently.

His hands reached down into the lowest parts of a sin filled life and picked me up. He drew me close and breathed on me. His hands held me while I cried in repentance and His hands still hold me.

It is hard to keep in mind, as we journey through our lives, that His hands are always upon us. There is not one moment in a single day, not one breath in the night, that His hands are not keeping us. For this day, remember His hands.

Honor and thanks unto our Father

Thu, May 18th - 5:44AM

WHAT'S IN YOUR BACK-PACK?

In January I took a trip to Colorado to look after my niece and nephew while their parents were out of town on business. The very first day that I was there, my 14 year old niece came through the door with a back-pack that seemed to have everything but the proverbial kitchen sink in it. I never took a look inside but the weight of it was crazy. This child, though very tall for her age, is quite thin and the loaded down pack that she was carrying on her back was extremely heavy. In my time there, I never saw her take much of anything out of it except a book or two and a pencil. I commented to her that she needed to empty that thing out and only carry what is necessary for each day, that she was going to mess up her back, carrying so much weight. She replied, with a giggle " I know". However, I am sure that the back-pack remains just as loaded down now as it was then, full of unnecessary items.

MATTHEW 11:28-30 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

If the yoke of Christ is easy and light then why are we so burdened down? Why are we so heavy laden? Is it possible that we are carrying alot of unnecessary things around with us each day? Is it possible that we choose to walk about with a full back-pack just in case we may need something out of it. Today, empty out that back-pack and only take with you that which is needed for the day..... Christ and His word. It is for our own good that we take His yoke and His burden.

Rejoice in the day!

Wed, May 17th - 6:07AM

CHARACTER

I left a message the other day about the nature of the serpent and this is along those same lines.

The story is of woman who was walking along through the mountains when she came upon a poisonous snake who was almost dead. Apparently the snake thought it was warmer than it actually was and venturing out, he was nearly froze to death. The snake cries out to the woman," Lady, please pick me up and tuck me into your coat so that I can get warm". Of course the woman refused," You're poisonous, if I pick you up you'll bite me and I'll die". The snake is adamant, "Please lady, I promise I won't bite you...I'm freezing to death and I would be so grateful that I could never bite you". The conversation continues for a few more minutes until the woman finally gives in and picks the snake up and tucks him into her coat. As the woman walks on, the snake gets warmer and suddenly bites her. She grabs the snake and throws him to the ground with a shout, "You promised you wouldn't bit me"! The snake replies..."Lady, you know my character"!

All around us in our everyday life, we encounter children of the "wicked one". We know their character and yet it still suprises us when they behave in such terrible ways. They lie, they cheat, they steal, and they destroy one another. Simply put...that's just the way they are. Let us not expect any more from them and we will not risk "being bit".

Pray for them but do not pick them up and draw them close.

Mon, May 15th - 6:31AM

LIKE TO BE HATED?

LUKE 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

Another Monday and although I do not hate my job, it is quite challenging. I am disrespected, passed over, treated poorly. I do my job very well but am often caught in the middle of other's power struggles. I have been yelled at and cursed at and lied to. I do not work in an office environment but I am often called on to attend meetings which put me smack dab in the middle of the office chaos.

What does this all mean? Just as the above scripture states, I am hated for His name's sake. I do not fit in well enough with the wickedness of the rest of the world. I sometimes get so frustrated with it all and this morning as I contemplate having to go back into this atmoshphere, I am reminded why I am hated. Hatred seems like a harsh word and yet that is exactly what the evil of this world feels toward all of us, is it not? However, let us look at MATTHEW 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name sake. V. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad for great is you reward in heaven......

Though it may still be difficult at times to have to deal with all the mess of life, we look for a city which is yet to come. We rejoice for the life we have in Christ and mourn for those who don't have this treasure. We anticipate another day when all the sorrows of this day have passed and we shall ever be with the Lord.

Rejoice!

Sun, May 14th - 8:41AM

MOTHER'S DAY

She stood firm, as a statue, with the with the rain beating down. Howling winds and lightning flashes never moved her.

Her face bore the evidence of a life of trials, her love bore the evidence of Christ.

Though her eye sight faded, her vision never did. 

Her prayers moved mountains, her endurance stilled doubts.

She was a strong woman of God who taught me by all that she did.

If I should attain to anything, let me reach the places that she showed me. Let me stand as she did, walk as she did, live as she did. Let me leave behind a legacy of faith such as her's, and I will rest as she now does....in the arms of her Saviour.

I arise now and call her blessed.

Fri, May 12th - 5:48AM

" THE NATURE FO THE SERPENT"

I am reminded, from another blog, of this dawn of sin. GENESIS 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more subtil that any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.

Notice the nature of the serpent from the first words he uttered in Eve's ear. He first questions what God really said and obviously convinced Eve to question as well. This shows the serpents root purpose. Secondly, the serpent accuses God of lying and again, convinces Eve.

How many of the temptations of man stem directly from these two, very base, deceptions? Do we get caught up in the most miniscule details of God's word, questioning what is really meant? Do we make puposeful treks to the center of the garden, just to gaze upon that which we know is forbidden? Are we ever caught, even for a moment, wondering about the outcome of our      "minor" infractions?

As we face the day to day temptations, let us keep in mind, THE NATURE OF THE SERPENT. He questions God's word to us and He accuses God of lying. What God has said, He has said. There is no room for discussion. Yet, a moment spent listening to the serpent, could have very serious ramifications. The sepent is an accuser and a liar and he showed himself to us from the beginning. Yes, sin does bring death...God said so!

Be blessed....

Fri, May 5th - 5:39AM

MY FAMILY!

As I look around here, on this blog site, I am everwhelmed by the beauty of brothers and sisters in Christ encouraging each other, worshipping God, and teaching one another. Even though I may not agree with all that you teach, a heart that bears the evidence of God's touch is a beautiful thing. I pray that I am pliable enough to be taught and strong enough to learn.

So, here is the question of the day: There is a series of books that suggest that after the "rapture", it will be possible to still become born again. It suggests that people will be able to enter into a covenant relationship with Christ, basically through their own works, even while the "bride" has already been received into heaven. Now, even if this is true, is it not dangerous to teach this theology? I realize that these books are fictional but people are surely getting a theological view from this that may not be true.

I really do consider what people teach and believe but at the same time I consider the heavy weight of responsibility on the shoulders of those who teach and preach. Is it worth someone's soul if you teach and preach wrong doctrine, even though you are convinced that it's true? Should we keep some of the things that we believe to ourselves for risk of perpetuating a wrong thought? The men who wrote these books made thousands of dollars, and I'm sure that some of that money came from the secular area but what is the real cost?

Interested in your thoughts on this subject, and no, I don't have a clear knowing answer for this question. Again, I hope that there is a second chance but I think it's dangerous to tell people that.

In His Service...In His Love,

Mon, May 1st - 9:37AM

" THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION"

ROMANS 8:15  "FOR YE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE AGAIN TO FEAR; BUT YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, WHEREBY WE CRY, ABBA, FATHER".

AT THE AGE OF 6 MOS. I WAS TAKEN INTO MY ADOPTIVE FAMILY. AT THE AGE OF 19 YEARS I SOUGHT OUT MY BIOLOGICAL FAMILY. NOW, 47 YRS. OLD, HERE IS WHAT I UNDERSTAND ABOUT ADOPTION. OTHER THAN A FEW PHYSICAL SIMILARITIES, I HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON WITH MY BIRTH FAMILY AND I CAN NEVER AGAIN BE A PART OF THE FORMER LIFE. WE DO NOT THINK ALIKE, WE DO NOT BEHAVE ALIKE, WE DO NOT BELEIVE ALIKE. I HAVE NO PART IN THEIR HERITAGE, I HAVE NO BONDS OR TIES TO THEM.

MY MANNERISMS ARE MUCH LIKE MY ADOPTIVE MOTHER, I HAVE MANY OF HER FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, I HAVE MANY OF HER QURKY HABITS AND I THINK MUCH LIKE SHE DID (SHE IS NOW IN HEAVEN). I BELEIVE LIKE MY MOTHER DID AND I HAVE COME TO LOVE AND ACCEPT PEOPLE AS SHE DID. I HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR LIKE MY DAD. WITHOUT KNOWING THAT I WAS ADOPTED, PEOPLE HAVE EVEN COMMENTED ON HOW MUCH I LOOK LIKE MY MOM OR BROTHER. I AM A PRODUCT OF MY ADOPTIVE FAMILY AND IT SHOWS.

NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN ADOPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD, I AM FORCED TO WONDER IF PEOPLE SEE THE TRAITS OF MY HEAVENLY FATHER IN ME. HAVE I TAKEN ON HIS CHARACTERISTICS OR MANNERISMS? DO I LOOK ANYTHING LIKE MY BROTHER? DO I LOVE AND CARE FOR PEOPLE AS HE DOES?

ONE THING IS SURE, I HAVE A NEW LIFE AND A NEW HERITAGE!

THANK YOU FATHER FOR ADOPTING ME!