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?

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)