The long journey home

Home!  What does that word conjure for you?  A cozy fire, hot chocolate, and a Christmas tree with family gathered around singing yule tide carols?  A strewn living room with 3 toddlers running in all directions, sippy cups piled in the sink, and towels molding in the washing machine because you forgot to dry them last night?  What is your reality?

The Walk

For Christians, the journey home is the life experiences, decisions, actions, and paths we take leading us home to our heavenly Father through faith in Jesus Christ, His Son, our Savior.  We are spiritual beings living a human experience.

I haven't got all the answers as to what heaven looks like, what we will do, if we will eat, but I trust that God knows what is best for me, and I believe in His Grace offered through Jesus.

This post isn't open for debate, only to let you know my feelings on spiritual matters, my heart, and my beliefs.  I respect yours, and ask for the same courtesy.  However, I appreciate your time taken to read this post, and your responses, only if you accept the fact I may not agree with you, or respond with anything other than kindness.

Beyond Relief: Tiva Water

My dearest friends, Edd and Kathy Hancock have been afforded the luxury, and opportunity to participate in missionary work abroad this summer.  Serving as volunteers, this couple has ministered to Ugandans by providing spiritual counseling, and water filters for this region.

Seeing the pictures of the Ugandan people who receive the water filter makes my soul sing; although, my mouth can't these days. Seeing the living conditions of the Ugandan people make me thankful for a messy kitchen to have to clean in the morning from the chaos ensued over night by the gremlins who attack it.  Seeing the less-than-American living conditions of the missionaries, and the sacrifices they make to participate in this project overwhelms me with gratitude, and embarrasses me when I grumble about being too tired to wash, dry, and fold that last load of laundry.  I could continue.  To sum it up, I'm not grateful enough for what God provides me.  His bounty overflows.

Visit them here...

http://hancock.beyondrelief.info/stories.html

PS: These water filters would be great gifts in honor of the guy/gal who has everything.  Great Christmas presents for someone who wants nothing, missions projects, even personal offerings beyond tithes.  (Not meant as a solicitation blog)  Christians are the body of Christ.  I might can't be the feet and carry the gospel to Uganda, but I can be His helping hands.

Our Neighbors

Are we a "little light" shining bright, or are we hidden under a bushel?  Remember the song we sang in Sunday School oh so many years ago?  "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine."  I ran across this article this morning. It would be appropriate here...

http://www.churchleaders.com/outreach-missions/outreach-missions-articles/169100-a-letter-to-the-north-american-church.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=clnewsletter&utm_content=CL+Daily+20130823

What are you doing to show your neighbors God loves them?

My Grandmother was convicted after she accepted Jesus as her Savior.  She confessed to me that she had been a Saturday sinner, and a Sunday saint.  Her brother was a Holiness preacher, and she went to church every Sunday.  Some Sundays, she was hung over from drinking the night before: sleepy from partying at the officers club at the air base.  Sometimes, she had cigarette breathe going in.  (not to put down smokers, but for her, it wasn't right).  Maybe her dresses were a bit too short.  But, Jesus' invitation changed her.

I'm Guilty!

I admit I am guilty of not always serving the Lord with gladness.  I'm guilty of being disgruntled with life, and the things around me, sometimes.  I guilty of not always being the person God called me to be; although, He changed directions on me several times (well, when it was I who got off the path going the wrong way).

I desire God.  I desire His fullness, His presence, His perfect peace.  I desire all to know Him, love Him, and worship Him as much as I.  But, I know, I'm not doing enough, and/or being the right example all the time.  Lord, Forgive me!!!

I know there are those not interested, and that is okay.  I'm not going to push, just let you know God is there, and wants you, and loves you.

Where was I going?

I forgot where I was going with this post originally: maybe later I'll remember.  But, it started with home.  When you finally get home, where will it be, and how will you account for your earthly life?  Will you allow God through His Son, Jesus, to inhabit your heart, and make it His home?

If it keeps getting better and better, Oh Lord, I don't know what I'm gonna do.

Yep, that's an old time gospel song I used to sing during church.

Once upon a time

I grew up in a wonderful church in Montgomery, Alabama.  This was in a great middle-class working neighborhood.  We all went to school together, well most of us.  We all had parents who loved us, and gave us their best.  Our youth choir boasted 50+ voices strong.  And, our parents always had after rehearsal snacks.

We went on youth trips, had naughty little outings like "rolling yards," and everyone dated at least one person once.  VBS was conducted during the day and we all marched in like the hymn reads, "onward Christians soldiers."  We pledged the American, Flag, the Christian Flag, and the Holy Bible.  And, after a great day, enjoyed 2 cookies, and a cup of cold Koolaid!  Yummylicious.

Such are the great memories I hold from childhood regarding my Christian upbringing.  But, most importantly, I learned God loves me, and wants to have a personal relationship with me.  I did accept His gift of eternal life through the grace Jesus, God's son, provided.  And, I'm an heir to the Kingdom of God.

The rigors of life have pushed and pulled at me these 50 years, and often times, I have wondered where God was during these troublesome times.  As the pastor preached on Sunday, He is there in the midst of the storms of life, just as Jesus was in the boat asleep when the storms blew over the disciples fishing boat.  The disciples realized Jesus was asleep in the boat, and someone went to wake him.  And, the miracle of Jesus commanding the sea to calm was witnessed.

So, when we wonder where is God in our troubles, remember He is always there.  Ready and waiting for you to ask him to calm life's sea.

Life at 50

Turning 50 was a very traumatic time in my life.  My age has never bothered me, but it really hit me hard.  I'm 52 and a half, and just coming out of the daze, ready to take on life again.  I've mourned my age for 2 years!  Wasted 2 years of life on worrying about my age.  How vain.  But, that's another post.  (check out "Vain Worries.")

Back to turning 52....  Over the last few days, I've been looking back on my life.  In retrospect, I see where God intervened.  Did I notice?  Maybe!  Did I acknowledge?  Maybe?!  Was I grateful?  Maybe?!  But, I was relieved those times abated.

It's a fact, looking back

God's timing is not always on our schedule, but he is faithful.  God is good, all the time.  Cliche, perhaps, but oh so true is this powerful statement.  It is His nature to be good to his children, just as my parents were good to me, and your parents should have been, or were good to you!

I can remember my first car.  It was an ugly brown Datsun B210, but I loved it, especially the inside!  I named it La Cucaracha, because it was the color of a nasty brown cockroach.  However, it wasn't without a bit of disappointment that I chose that car from the 3 my dad decided he could afford.  Being the spoiled brat I was, I had my heart set on a 1979 white Toyota Corolla with navy interior.  Well, the preacher's eldest daughter got one.  I can remember the pangs of jealousy that plagued me at times until I completely fell in love with my Datsun.

It did dawn on the me the other day, that I bought a brand new navy blue Toyota Corolla with light gray interior in 2007 without even having a job.  God was good, and I got something that I wanted.  God gave me a heart's desire in HIS time instead of my time.

Another thing that popped into my mind was an event which occurred in 1987.  I was without a job at that time too.  My first husband had always wanted me to stay at home, but over the past few days had been trying to convince me to get a job.  I put it off as long as I could because his mother had had a stroke, and I was helping with her.  I thought it odd because we weighed the "working vs day care" situation many times, and staying home seemed the best option.

Well, I did find a job, one that I loved, and worked in the field for 20 years.  Retail!  I had great skin and was chosen to be a Clinique Counter Manager.  Just 4 days later, my husband left me.  I had no money, or access to the account, and no food for my son, and myself.  I'd not even worked long enough to get my first pay check.  I prayed Lord, please send me $1000.00.  Hefty prayer!

When the management heard about my dilemma, they told me of a fund for employees.  The hardship fund gave me two $500.00 checks during the first couple of months I worked there to get me on my feet.  God is good, all the time!

We got back together, blah, blah, blah, for a time, and when I finally went home, I was without a job AGAIN.  

I went with my sister to the unemployment office after she got laid off and we carried my two young sons, and my young nephew.  While sitting there waiting, God told me to go to a specific place to apply for a job.  Now remember, I had been working retail.  My reaction was, "Uh, God, I don't know how to type, remember?"  He said, "Go..."  So, leaving three young children, and teenage sister in the unemployment office, I set out across the street for the application to this organization.

When I got there, the lady I spoke with was the mother, and mother-n-law of two kids I had grown up with in school.  She helped me with the application, and the timed typing test revealed I had no clue how to type, as my fingers had been on the wrong keys the entire test!  She said not to worry because I could learn as I go, if I was hired.  

A few days later, I got a call from the supervisor of the department who remember meeting my friend and me at another venue the year before!  I interviewed with him, and my would-be immediate supervisor.  They told me they didn't know why they were interviewing me because I had no experience, but just wanted to meet with me to find out how things were going, and they had others to interview. (But, I knew!)

During that between time from the interview to the job offer, I prayed, "Lord, I need at least $1000.00 a month to cover day care for two children, gas, clothing, food, and something to give my mom for rent.  And, Lord, that has to be bring home, so actually it has to be more because of taxes, and health insurance."  

Less that two weeks after I moved home from a messy divorce, I was employed as a clerical assistant bringing home $1000.00 per month, and paid family insurance with no copays, a retirement plan, and an in-house credit union where I purchased my post-divorce car.  

The icing on the cake was the retail store had an opening in the customer service office, and I worked part time holidays, and weekends for extra income.  God is good, all the time!

There are so many more experience I can write about proving God's faithfulness, His goodness, His grace, His mercy, and everything good God provides.  Remember every good and perfect gift comes from the Father.  He can be your Father too!

Seek His face, Call upon the Lord, and the desires of your heart can be yours in His time.  

Love and Blessings!

I'm Guilty!

Open Mouth, Insert Foot.  The awkward feeling you get when you say, or do something that makes someone else uncomfortable, or offended.  

I ran across this viral video this week, and I do hope you take the time to watch it.  It is a reminder that, to use another person's video response, "God don't make no junk."

http://news.yahoo.com/mothers-inspiring-video-blind-baby-son-173140041--abc-news-parenting.html

One of the most horrendous things I have ever done was make up a rhyme as a child and sing it to a very dear friend of mine.  That doesn't seem so bad, making up a rhyme, but the contents of the rhyme was just awful!  I didn't even realize it at the time, but looking back, I am sure it killed the girl's spirit.  I truly loved her, and was always so happy to see her in serendipitous places in later years.  I was more happy to see her than she was me, most likely.

The 2-line rhyme used her name, and her last name rhymed with tail as in,"stinkin' ole cow's tail."  Wow, once I realized this, I immediately tried to find her.  I even sent a Christmas card to the last known address only to have it "returned to sender, address unknown."

During my daily obituary reading, I found her.  My dear Jonie had died around Christmas time from complications due to diabetes.  Oh boy, she never knew how sorry I was for the offense, and I almost sent her family an apology, but thought it might make things worse instead of better for them.

However, my heart is tender.  Even during my childhood years, I sensed moments that needed compassion.  Rachael was a girl with very dry hands that pealed.  I'm thinking allergies because my younger sister had the same thing years later.  NO ONE would hold her hand, and I always did.  You know little girls, they seem to enjoy holding hands.

Elma was a girl in my class who came from a very poor family.  She never had any extra money for juice, so I asked my mom if I could I take an extra nickel so she could have juice.  I was so happy that she was just one of the gang drinking juice at recess.

I'm not sharing these things stroke my own ego, but asking you to reflect to determine where you could have done things differently.  From those poor choices in how we deal with certain situations, we can grow and be better prepared to handle future situations, just like people who come in contact with Lacey and Christian.

Physical disabilities are just so hard to hide.  My dear friend, Lisa, suffers from a congenital defect: she lacks arms and legs.  Yet, she is a powerhouse and affectionately known as Taz to those who know and love her.  She writes with her feet which are connected by ankles to her hip bones.  She is TRULY the most amazing person I have ever known.  She drives, has a master's degree, and is retired from a major university after working in the department of disabilities helping others who struggle.

We are fearfully, and wonderfully made.  We all struggle, and some more so than others, but God has a plan.  Please be courteous, patient, and mannerly when you see someone out of the ordinary.  We ALL have feelings!

More than religion: opposition and influence

Are we prepared to place our life on the line for Christ?  Are we prepared to bear fruit, and make decisions to glorify God at the risk of persecution?  Matthew 11-16

 A Master's Moment

Being faithful to God means not playing it safe, and facing our fear of opposition.  God promises a blessing for being persecuted for his sake.  Matthew 5:11-12

Christians are not to be a subculture: We are to be out in the world, but no of the world.  Our mission is to be a beacon of light for those in darkness.

The following testimony wasn't a part of the sermon on Sunday, but it fits perfectly in this message. Bro. Tony used Bubba Watson, Master's Golf Tournament as an illustration.

Professor : You are a Christian, aren’t you, son ?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, you believe in GOD ?

Student : Absolutely, sir.

Professor : Is GOD good ?

Student : Sure.

Professor: Is GOD all powerful ?

Student : Yes.

Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn’t. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?

(Student was silent.)

Professor: You can’t answer, can you ? Let’s start again, young fella. Is GOD good?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Is satan good ?

Student : No.

Professor: Where does satan come from ?

Student : From … GOD …

Professor: That’s right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student : Yes.

Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn’t it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?

Student : Yes.

Professor: So who created evil ?

(Student did not answer.)

Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don’t they?

Student : Yes, sir.

Professor: So, who created them ?

(Student had no answer.)

Professor: Science says you have 5 Senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?

Student : No, sir.

Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?

Student : No , sir.

Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?

Student : No, sir. I’m afraid I haven’t.

Professor: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student : Yes.

Professor : According to Empirical, Testable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says your GOD doesn’t exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student : Nothing. I only have my faith.

Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem Science has.

Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Professor: Yes.

Student : And is there such a thing as cold?

Professor: Yes.

Student : No, sir. There isn’t.

(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don’t have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can’t go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.

(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)

Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn’t darkness?

Student : You’re wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and its called darkness, isn’t it? In reality, darkness isn’t. If it is, well you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn’t you?

Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man ?

Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Professor: Flawed ? Can you explain how?

Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, Science can’t even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.

Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student : Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?

(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)

Student : Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor. Are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?

(The class was in uproar.)

Student : Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor’s brain?

(The class broke out into laughter. )

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor’s brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established Rules of Empirical, Stable, Demonstrable Protocol, Science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Professor: I guess you’ll have to take them on faith, son.

Student : That is it sir … Exactly ! The link between man & GOD is FAITH. That is all that keeps things alive and moving.

P.S.

I believe you have enjoyed the conversation. And if so, you’ll probably want your friends / colleagues to enjoy the same, won’t you?

Forward this to increase their knowledge … or FAITH.

By the way, that student was EINSTEIN.


Beatitude Christians

Continuing the Sermon on the Mount after sharing the Beatitudes, and what it means to be a Beatitude Christian, Christ was explaining the mission of being a Beatitude Christian.  Christians shouldn't be closet Christians, but, in boldness, go out an minister to the world.

Unfortunately, the world may not want to be ministered to, and Christians stand the chance of being persecuted, and may only have one moment of influence.  But, that influence may lay the foundation for others along the way, and/or serve as a seed which may grow into a Faith in Christ.

Boldness doesn't mean being offensive, or self-righteous.  And, facing persecution leads to great eternal reward, and being counted among the faithful.

Salt and Light

We must maintain redemptive contact to bear influence for Christ.

Salt not only was used as a flavoring tool, but as a preservative during the life and times of Christ.  While Christians should be the salt of the earth to add God's flavor among it's people, Christians should set the right example and influence others to make real everlasting change.  This redemptive contact should evoke spiritual hunger in others.  They want what you have for eternal preservation.

Light is designed to illuminate darkness.  And, as Einstein cited above, darkness is nothing: it's the absence of light.  God's light should so shine through us, that non-believers will want to dispel the darkness in their own lives.

 Dispelling Darkness

We must be different through Christ to make a difference for Christ.  And, Christ warns us that salt is only good when it has the ability to flavor and preserve.  Once salt looses its flavor, it is discarded.

All too many times, non-believers insist that Christians are hypocrites.  Christians have the same problems non-believers do: divorce, adultery, immorality, addiction, etc.   Just when a non-believer needs the Church, the Church proves they are no better than non-believers.  This is NOT the way a Beatitude Church, or Christian should be perceived.

Christians are not better, just forgiven, but we must try to live up to the standard Jesus set, and as He instructed through those Beatitudes.  Darkness can't dispel light, and Christians can't live in darkness, and by hiding the light we are as ineffective as salt, and should be cast aside.

Christians must guard their lives, without compromise, to walk with Jesus, without fear, to reach people Heart to Heart, and Life to Life.  It's our mission!

Recap of message, Rev. Tony Chester, Far Hills Community Church, Centerville, Ohio.  www.farhills.org  4/15/2012. eca

First Importance

Is Multitasking a good thing?  According to a Stanford study, it is society's way of reconciling distraction?  So, keep your eyes on what is of First Importance. 

Something of "First Importance" demands full attention. Paul, the apostle, in his letter to Corinth, explains the death of Jesus and His resurrection as being of First Importance.   1 Corinthians 15:1-21


Doctrine

The basis for Christianity is that of a Living Resurrected Christ.  Jesus died for humanity as atonement for sins.  God accepted the perfectly lived life of His son as pure righteousness because Jesus lived fully up to the Law of God.  Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead on the third day.  Spiritual death was defeated for those who believe, and receive the GRACE that Jesus bought for us on the Cross.  Had Jesus not been raised from the dead, it would not have fulfilled God's acceptance of righteous payment for our sin.

Humanity is under the curse of original sin brought about by the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.  We are sinners by birth, and have inherited a sinful nature.  This created a chasm between God and man.  Religion is a way man tries to bridge that gap.  Technically, it attempts to make us feel better about our sinful nature. 

Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2  (biblegateway.com)

Fact 1 - God is Just - God can NOT ignore His own law.
Fact 2 - God is Love -
Fact 3 - God's Love and Justice met at the Cross - God is the only one who deals realistically with our sin.  We disobey the Gospels to attempt to reconcile our sin.  We don't see sin the way God does.

Ish: 53:4-6
1 Peter 3:18
2 Cor 5:18-21
1 Cor 15:4


Historical

There were many eyewitnesses to the resurrected Christ.  Paul, formerly known as Saul, discusses the number of people that Christ revealed his glorified body to after his resurrection


and that he appeared to Cephas, (Peter) and then to the Twelve (disciples). After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living (at the time of his letter), though some have fallen asleep (already died).  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,  and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Cor 15:5-8 (biblegateway.com)

Paul used the words "fallen asleep" because he realized the significance of Christ's death and resurrection.  Believers are not dead any longer, just sleeping in Christ.

Paul's inclusion of "abnormally born" was his way of recognizing the gossip going on that he, Paul, was not a true apostle because he wasn't of the first 12 disciples.  Paul, formerly Saul, was responsible for the persecution of the Church, and the stoning of Stephen.  It was on the road to Damascus that God's magnificence blinded him and his conversion changed his life.

James was the 1/2 brother of Jesus, and having to grown up with a brother claiming to be the Messiah was a bit disheartening for him.  He thought he was mentally ill in some ways, but after Jesus appeared to his brother, he realized that Jesus was, in fact, the risen Messiah.

Peter was a coward, hot-headed, and impetuous.  But, Peter became the Rock upon which the church was built, and one of the greatest apostles for Christ.  He preached the magnificent Sermon at Pentecost, and was crucified upside down because he felt he was in no way good enough to be like Jesus, who was crucified upright.

Repentence, Faith, and Service - An encounter with the Resurrected Christ

Paul recognized his sin, honestly repented, and declared himself hopeless without Christ.  These passages in 1 Corinthians preached against a fake faith, but for a true reliance on the risen Christ.  And, our service should be a lifestyle not a one day affair.


Easter Sunday service recap, Rev. Tony Chester, Far Hills Community Church, Dayton/Centerville, Ohio. 4/8/12  www.farhills.org

Persecution and Righteouness

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matt. 5:10 (Biblegateway.com)


Ending the Sermon on the Mount series, this last Beatitude has the same promise as first one, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

 During the time of Christ, Israel was following the Laws of God.  These laws were given to Moses after the Jewish people were liberated from Pharoah's 400 year enslavement.  The Levites, or priestly tribe, were responsible for assisting the people follow the law in order to obtain atonement for unrighteousness. 

God's chosen people also knew that a Messiah would come and usher in a Kingdom of Peace.  So, when Jesus came on the scene proclaiming to be the Messiah, many people had doubts that He was the Messiah.

 Jesus' Sermon on the Mount shook the very foundation of their beliefs.  Yet, the people could relate to much of what he said especially the concept of persecution.  Jewish people were being persecuted by the Romans during this time.  So, the Jews were responsible for following, not only Jewish religious law, but Roman law as well.

 Jesus redefines righteousness

What is righteousness?  Are we good enough?

Merriam-Webster defines righteous as acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin: morally right or justifiable, and/or arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality.    

Jesus equates righteousness with himself.  He is saying that righteousness comes from him.  So, when we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we are hungering and thirsting for Jesus.    Therefore, the Beatitudes are a picture of Jesus, and we are to reflect that picture of Jesus/righteousness because it was giving to us to take the place of the laws and acts associated with the Law of God.

Read these Bible verses, and gain a new understanding of Righteousness by remember JESUS = Righteousness

Romans 10:14              
Romans 8:10
Galatians 2:21
Philippians 1:11
1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Philippians 3:9-10
Romans 5:21
1 Peter 3:18
2 Corinthians 5:21


Jesus redefines persecution 

The Jews, during the time, feared for their lives because of Roman persecution.  Right now, in our country, Christian persecution has begun.

(Here are some stories, I, personally, will share)

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/california-city-fines-couple-for-holding-bible-study-in-their-home/ http://www.theblaze.com/stories/man-arrested-outside-calif-dmv-for-reading-his-bible-out-loud/

We must expect to walk the same road as Christ.  John 15:20 states, "Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."

God is Sovereign: He causes things to happen, and He allows things to happen.  We may not understand.  We may ask, "Why God is this happening to me?" But, God has a plan for each of us, and that plan may include persecution for "His sake."


2 Corinthians 4:7-12 states: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. (Biblegateway.com)

We are the jars of clay, and the treasure is our salvation.  We are fragile, yet Jesus is strong, and our desire should be to apologize for our past sin, crucify our old life, walk with Him, and reflect Christ in our day to day living.  


James 1:12 states, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."  (Biblegateway.com)

Trust the process

Jesus saved us and continues to hold us in His Saving Grace.  Everything that is going on in our lives, good are bad, if it points to Jesus is ALL good. 

I can think of a verse here that reiterates it perfectly,  Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."  Philippians 1:21 (Biblegateway.com)

King David: A man after God's own heart.

Warning: Reading this may cause heart problems. Christian viewpoint on King David, forgiveness, love, and choosing God's own heart.

By Carolyn Roberson - Saturday 19 Nov 2011

Growing up, I decided if I ever had twin boys, I would name them Mark, and David. Mark after the character Mark McCain, Lucas McCain’s son on the Rifleman, and, David from King David of the Bible. I didn’t have twin boys, and my three sons hold the names, Kris, Heath, and Wes.

If you read the Bible, you realize there are soap opera type events that would make wonderful Hollywood action movies, or chic flicks. One Night with the King is one such movie! And, one of the most memorable, and beloved movies of all time is The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston, and Yul Brenner.

King David always has been my favorite Biblical character. Not character in the fictitious sense, but character because of his humanity, and need for God’s grace which was unavailable through Jesus Christ during his lifetime.

King David is said to be a man after God’s own heart. I’ve always wondered just exactly what that meant. Was his heart so in tuned to God’s that it was similar, or was he after, or seeking, the heart of God in an attempt to understand it, grasp it, and make it his own? Maybe a bit of both, I would say.
I’m not a theologian, nor am I a writer. I just know David was a man, a human, completely vulnerable, and fallible. He made mistakes, but he loved God. He made poor decisions, but he loved God. He sought God’s grace, guidance, and forgiveness.

Just like King David, we make mistakes, and poor decisions. We do things that are not pleasing to God, but just like David, we can seek God and ask for forgiveness. He will hear our prayers, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we only ask.

But, our actions have consequences, as did David’s. David didn’t get to rebuild the temple: it fell upon his son, Solomon. We, too, have to live in the wake of our actions be it good or bad. Our path is made of previous steps.

Too often we ask, why is this happening to me? Or why would God allow something like this to happen to me? Perhaps, it isn’t something God has done, but the consequences of our previous actions. To this day, fifteen years later, I’m still living with the consequences of a particular decision. The wake I ride is rough, and my life would be so much easier if I could go back and circumvent that particular day. Yet, my path was made by my decision to step off the path God intended.

Jesus Christ, God’s son, and Savior of mankind, comes from the lineage of Kind David. This is a perfect example of how good things can come from a life gone sour. You can turn your life around.
Not only can we ask God to forgive us, we must be willing to forgive ourselves. The inability to forgive ourselves creates self-loathing, and diminished self-esteem, which greatly affects our relationships with both God and each other.

Mental health issues are on the rise. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other chemical or genetic disorders are not the issue here. But, many mental health issues are a result of internal conflict, which can be fixed with counseling. Mothers cause deep seeded problems, fathers abandon their families, or brothers and sisters cannot get along for various reasons. All of these things have a root cause and many can be fixed with forgiveness through love.

Like King David, our path may not be the one intended, but good things can come along on the way. Our past may haunt us forever, but it is never too late to create a new and better path. God can offer forgiveness through His son, Jesus Christ, and offer love like you have never known, if you seek his heart and make it your own.