What is the need in your life? Is there something you have been praying for over and over, year after year?
Let me give you some hope today.
There was a man, lame from birth, who was carried daily and laid at the gate of the temple Beautiful.
Day after day.....
Year after year.....
This man had a need....he needed food to eat, clothes to wear, a place to stay.
Yet, he was lame with no way to earn the money for those things by his own labor.
Day after day he was brought to the temple....carried to the temple....to appeal to the kindness of those who had come to worship.
He didn't get holidays off....no vacation days....didn't matter what the weather was.
The Bible say in Acts 3:2 that they laid him DAILY at the gate.
Not almost every day....
Not once a week....
Not occasionally....
DAILY
He laid there each and every day....with a need....waiting....
And eventually someone would come by and give him a little money...and then maybe someone else would come by....then another....
And this was great.
But it did not solve the real need here....it was almost like a band aid that was simply covering the real problem.
Yet he still showed up every day and begged anyone who came close enough to hear his voice.
One day, he hit the jackpot....
Who knows how many times Peter and John may have passed this man before. Maybe he never called out to them before. Maybe they had slipped money in his cup on times past....
But this day when he looked at them expecting to receive money as he usually did from those who stopped he received so much more....
Verse 6 says: "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."
Now, I am going to be honest, working in my chosen field I have encountered similar situations. I have had people come to me and say "If I only had _________ I could do ________."
And then, just like a miracle, I say "Hey, I can get that for you!"
But, what I have found is that there are people in this world that like living in that beggar mentality. They don't want a better situation in their lives....they like living with their hand out for someone else to fill.
This man in the Book of Acts did not suffer from this: "And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God." (verse 8)
He quickly got up out of that place of begging and went into the house of God with a testimony!!
I have spent so much time on my knees over certain things....too much time.
Now I have to ask myself....has my answer come....and I have rejected it....
Have I become so accustomed to living with my hand out, waiting for God to fill it that I have missed the REAL answer??
"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, but SUCH AS I HAVE give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." (verse 6)
Because the Lord didn't answer one of my prayers the way I wanted Him to, did I miss what He had for me??
And if I missed it....who else have I cheated?
"And all the people saw him walking and praising God: And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him." (verses 9 & 10)
I declare to you today, I am TIRED of begging.
God has done many wonderful, marvelous things in my life...too many to ever count!
And even though there are things that I have been praying for over and over and over wanting the answer I want, I am now praying for something different.
"God, open my eyes! Let me see what You have already done in/with ____________. Let me know what YOU would give me, because even though it may not be what I asked for, if it is from You, then it is what I need. Let me get up out of this beggar mentality and walk and leap and praise YOU because You didn't leave me where You found me, crippled by the sin of the world!! Let me show others, every day, just how much serving You is really worth. Not silver and gold which will pass away....More, so much more! Oh, how I love You so!!"
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Hello
I think it's so exciting to see all the different places that hit my blog.
I am honored to think you take the time to check up on me. Of course, you may be stopping by because you think I'm a nut case or something of that manner....
EEHHH, I probably am....
But I would love to hear from you. You don't have to leave your name, but if you feel lead, leave a comment...let me know why you stopped, why you come back, and what you would like to see here.
If a particular blog touched you, I would love to know about it.
This has been such a nice expression of all I am inside. I would continue to do it if no one ever read them but me.
You have no idea the number of times I have gone back, re-read, laughed, cried, rejoiced, and sorrowed all over again.
So much time has passed since I started, so many changes, so many left to take place...
One thing remains constant.....
This IS the day!!!
I am honored to think you take the time to check up on me. Of course, you may be stopping by because you think I'm a nut case or something of that manner....
EEHHH, I probably am....
But I would love to hear from you. You don't have to leave your name, but if you feel lead, leave a comment...let me know why you stopped, why you come back, and what you would like to see here.
If a particular blog touched you, I would love to know about it.
This has been such a nice expression of all I am inside. I would continue to do it if no one ever read them but me.
You have no idea the number of times I have gone back, re-read, laughed, cried, rejoiced, and sorrowed all over again.
So much time has passed since I started, so many changes, so many left to take place...
One thing remains constant.....
This IS the day!!!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Not One More Day in the House of Saul
I am blessed with a phenomenal Pastor, Rev. Ben Weeks. It is always amazing to me to have a man who is so in tune with God.
Sunday afternoon service here in Douglas he preached from 2 Samuel 3:1, 6 & 12:
1-Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
6-And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
12-And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
One thing we need to understand as Christians is that there will always be a struggle between the House of Saul (Flesh) and the House of David (Spirit).
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
The Spirit will never be on the same side as the flesh. The spiritual conflict within the Christian involves his total being as he struggles to determine whether he will wholly surrender to the inclinations of the flesh or the sinful nature and return to the dominion of sin, or whether he will yield to the demands of the Spirit and continue under the dominion of the Lord.
The House of Saul was getting weaker and weaker, but the House of David was getting stronger and stronger.
When Abner was aligned with the House of Saul he gave it everything he had within him. He fought as hard as he knew to fight.
In Chapter 2, we read of the servants of David and the servants of Saul meeting by the pool of Gibeon. Abner suggested to Joab that the young men arise and play before them. Twelve young men from each side met and all were slain.
Never be mistaken, if you live too long in the House of Saul, the games you play will lead to your defeat.
Abner left the scene running with Asahel, the brother of Joab running behind him. Asahel was "as light of foot as a wild roe" and quickly overtook Abner. Abner warned him to turn aside saying "wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
But Asahel would not stop. It was then that Abner took the "hinder end of the spear" and with more force than he probably intended, he smote Asahel under the fifth rib and he fell dead, his death on Abner's hands.
The two sides then met in battle. In the end the House of David lost 19 men, the House of Saul; 360.
When you stay too long in the House of Saul, you will get involved deeper than you ever intended.
Abner was accused of taking Saul's concubine named Rizpah during the midst of the war between the House of Saul and the House of David. This was the turning point for Abner.
2 Samuel 3:8 ...Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do show kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethern, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me today with a fault concerning this woman?
Do not be fooled. You may align yourself to the House of Saul, you may give it your all and all, but the flesh will always turn against you.
When you stay to long in the House of Saul, the accusations will be more than you can live with.
Abner approached David through messengers saying; "Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee."
Let me join with you, Abner said.
David replied.
2 Samuel 3:13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
To align yourself with the King, you have to bring him what he wants.
I have known men, good men, and women, good women who spent too much time in the house of Saul, too much time seeking after fleshly pursuits.
Oh, it may start out innocent, small, but it never stays that way. And one day becomes two and two become three. Suddenly you realize this innocent game that you started out with has become deadly.
And you are NEVER the only one affected. That "little thing" becomes something more, and that something more becomes something more, and before you know exactly when it happened you have become involved in something more than you ever imagined.
And you are doing things that you would have NEVER done ordinarily and caused untold damage to those around you: your parents, your friends, your spouse, your children.
Then the time comes when you come face to face with how far you are from where you started. It would be easy for someone to believe the worst in you as you stand face to face with the voice of your accusers, and harder to deflect the accusations in light of all you have become.
But you can gain an audience with the King. And the voices of the past can be silenced simply by bringing the King what He wants.
You have lived your life of sin with everything you have. Doesn't He deserve the same?
He is waiting for you to bring Him His bride...
That bride that has been washed by the blood, now without one spot or wrinkle.
It's not too late for you to switch sides in the battle. It's not too late to come to the winning side.
I have made up my mind that I won't spend one more day in the House of Saul, because as I tarry there my strength leaves me, I get weaker and weaker and weaker.
I want to dwell in the House of David for the rest of my days. It's a simple choice that is worth whatever cost.
**Thank You, Jesus for my Watchman on the Wall. Thank You for instruction and the Word of Truth. You ARE my King."
Sunday afternoon service here in Douglas he preached from 2 Samuel 3:1, 6 & 12:
1-Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
6-And it came to pass, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner made himself strong for the house of Saul.
12-And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf saying, Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold, my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee.
One thing we need to understand as Christians is that there will always be a struggle between the House of Saul (Flesh) and the House of David (Spirit).
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
The Spirit will never be on the same side as the flesh. The spiritual conflict within the Christian involves his total being as he struggles to determine whether he will wholly surrender to the inclinations of the flesh or the sinful nature and return to the dominion of sin, or whether he will yield to the demands of the Spirit and continue under the dominion of the Lord.
The House of Saul was getting weaker and weaker, but the House of David was getting stronger and stronger.
When Abner was aligned with the House of Saul he gave it everything he had within him. He fought as hard as he knew to fight.
In Chapter 2, we read of the servants of David and the servants of Saul meeting by the pool of Gibeon. Abner suggested to Joab that the young men arise and play before them. Twelve young men from each side met and all were slain.
Never be mistaken, if you live too long in the House of Saul, the games you play will lead to your defeat.
Abner left the scene running with Asahel, the brother of Joab running behind him. Asahel was "as light of foot as a wild roe" and quickly overtook Abner. Abner warned him to turn aside saying "wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?
But Asahel would not stop. It was then that Abner took the "hinder end of the spear" and with more force than he probably intended, he smote Asahel under the fifth rib and he fell dead, his death on Abner's hands.
The two sides then met in battle. In the end the House of David lost 19 men, the House of Saul; 360.
When you stay too long in the House of Saul, you will get involved deeper than you ever intended.
Abner was accused of taking Saul's concubine named Rizpah during the midst of the war between the House of Saul and the House of David. This was the turning point for Abner.
2 Samuel 3:8 ...Am I a dog's head, which against Judah do show kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethern, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me today with a fault concerning this woman?
Do not be fooled. You may align yourself to the House of Saul, you may give it your all and all, but the flesh will always turn against you.
When you stay to long in the House of Saul, the accusations will be more than you can live with.
Abner approached David through messengers saying; "Whose is the land? saying also, Make thy league with me, and, behold my hand shall be with thee, to bring about all Israel unto thee."
Let me join with you, Abner said.
David replied.
2 Samuel 3:13 And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul's daughter, when thou comest to see my face.
To align yourself with the King, you have to bring him what he wants.
I have known men, good men, and women, good women who spent too much time in the house of Saul, too much time seeking after fleshly pursuits.
Oh, it may start out innocent, small, but it never stays that way. And one day becomes two and two become three. Suddenly you realize this innocent game that you started out with has become deadly.
And you are NEVER the only one affected. That "little thing" becomes something more, and that something more becomes something more, and before you know exactly when it happened you have become involved in something more than you ever imagined.
And you are doing things that you would have NEVER done ordinarily and caused untold damage to those around you: your parents, your friends, your spouse, your children.
Then the time comes when you come face to face with how far you are from where you started. It would be easy for someone to believe the worst in you as you stand face to face with the voice of your accusers, and harder to deflect the accusations in light of all you have become.
But you can gain an audience with the King. And the voices of the past can be silenced simply by bringing the King what He wants.
You have lived your life of sin with everything you have. Doesn't He deserve the same?
He is waiting for you to bring Him His bride...
That bride that has been washed by the blood, now without one spot or wrinkle.
It's not too late for you to switch sides in the battle. It's not too late to come to the winning side.
I have made up my mind that I won't spend one more day in the House of Saul, because as I tarry there my strength leaves me, I get weaker and weaker and weaker.
I want to dwell in the House of David for the rest of my days. It's a simple choice that is worth whatever cost.
**Thank You, Jesus for my Watchman on the Wall. Thank You for instruction and the Word of Truth. You ARE my King."
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Once Upon A Time
I held the future in my hands. I kissed the sweet lips of a promise and marveled at the power of love.
From that first moment I knew my heart would never be the same.
I am so thankful for miracles. Thankful for a God who answers prayer.
Thankful that He hasn't stopped.
And amazed, even now after 20 years at the love He has for me.
You heard the prayers of a young mother who wanted just one more baby when the doctor said it wouldn't happen.
You used that little life to renew my passion for you through a healing.
You have kept him all these years, even from what should have taken his life.
And now I have the pleasure of watching him seek after You.
Once upon a time You fulfilled one promise by giving me a lifetime of love.
Thank You for giving me 20 years with my baby boy. I will never be a ble to praise You enough.
I remain Your servant, always!
From that first moment I knew my heart would never be the same.
I am so thankful for miracles. Thankful for a God who answers prayer.
Thankful that He hasn't stopped.
And amazed, even now after 20 years at the love He has for me.
You heard the prayers of a young mother who wanted just one more baby when the doctor said it wouldn't happen.
You used that little life to renew my passion for you through a healing.
You have kept him all these years, even from what should have taken his life.
And now I have the pleasure of watching him seek after You.
Once upon a time You fulfilled one promise by giving me a lifetime of love.
Thank You for giving me 20 years with my baby boy. I will never be a ble to praise You enough.
I remain Your servant, always!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Line Upon Line
I recently had a very intense conversation with someone.
Intense and eye-opening.
I would like to be able to state to you today that I have legendary Bible knowledge, that I was one of those that could quote and quote and quote with perfection.
I have tried to memorize scripture. And I have succeeded in small ways. But, I just haven't ever been grand at it.
Don't get me wrong, I have studied the Word. I will never cease to strive to expand my knowledge of it. It is a live, vibrant thing that never fails to touch some part of me that I never even knew was longing to be touched.
The Word of God is my comfort, my friend.
Yet, during this intense discussion I recently unwillingly became a part of I longed more than ever before to have that infinite knowledge of every passage.
I have noticed a growing trend among the Christians of today. More and more I find that people are turning to a "Cafeteria Style" Christianity.
You go through through the Bible "picking and choosing" what you want to believe and passing by what you don't want to believe.
I have always **thought** this, but during my intense conversation, this way of thinking was confirmed as the person I was talking to said, "That's why it says in the Bible that there are good and bad things in it and you just pick what you think is good and leave the bad."
So, at this point in the conversation is where I wanted to be able to say: "I have memorized every single scripture of the Bible and can quote them each verbatim-HENCE I am able to tell you that is simply NOT located anywhere in the Word of God."
My real response was much more lame. After I managed to close my mouth that had dropped to my stomach when those words were tossed at me I ever so eloquently stated, "The Bible does not say that!"
"Yes it does!"
"It most certainly does not! Where is that at in the Bible?"
"Well, I don't know right off hand, but I could try to find it."
Good luck with that one.
I have found nothing in the Word of God that states anything remotely resembling that statement. And if you are standing in the Cafeteria Religion line thinking you are getting fed, let me give you some real food for thought:
Matthew 5:18-19 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot of one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Isaiah 28:9-13 Whom shall he teach knowledge?and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept; line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not...
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word of God.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 John 5:7-8 for there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these tree are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit,and the water and the blood: and these three agree in one.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teacher, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Revelation 19:13-16 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almightly God. And he that on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
If His Word is true, which I am certain it is, then HE is the WORD.
That being said, if what was told to me was true then His Word was saying there was BAD in Him.
I may not have the whole thing memorized but I know there is nothing but Goodness in my God. And that would also mean that we were able to pick and choose what about Him we wanted to accept.
See, here is one way I do not agree with some. I have heard so many say that "So-In-So Accepted Christ as their personal Savior."
How arrogant is that statement?
To think that He is waiting with baited breath to see if I will ACCEPT HIM---The King of Glory?!?!
I think not!
The question is: Does He accept ME?
When I am standing before God, I will know who HE is, without a doubt, for the Word says "Every knee shall bow," and that includes mine.
But will He know me?
Have I lived up to His Word? Have I lived it Line upon Line, Precept upon Precept?
Because on that day, that line will become all too important.
So, are you living your life by the Cafeteria Plan?
Or are you living your life by His Plan?
Intense and eye-opening.
I would like to be able to state to you today that I have legendary Bible knowledge, that I was one of those that could quote and quote and quote with perfection.
I have tried to memorize scripture. And I have succeeded in small ways. But, I just haven't ever been grand at it.
Don't get me wrong, I have studied the Word. I will never cease to strive to expand my knowledge of it. It is a live, vibrant thing that never fails to touch some part of me that I never even knew was longing to be touched.
The Word of God is my comfort, my friend.
Yet, during this intense discussion I recently unwillingly became a part of I longed more than ever before to have that infinite knowledge of every passage.
I have noticed a growing trend among the Christians of today. More and more I find that people are turning to a "Cafeteria Style" Christianity.
You go through through the Bible "picking and choosing" what you want to believe and passing by what you don't want to believe.
I have always **thought** this, but during my intense conversation, this way of thinking was confirmed as the person I was talking to said, "That's why it says in the Bible that there are good and bad things in it and you just pick what you think is good and leave the bad."
So, at this point in the conversation is where I wanted to be able to say: "I have memorized every single scripture of the Bible and can quote them each verbatim-HENCE I am able to tell you that is simply NOT located anywhere in the Word of God."
My real response was much more lame. After I managed to close my mouth that had dropped to my stomach when those words were tossed at me I ever so eloquently stated, "The Bible does not say that!"
"Yes it does!"
"It most certainly does not! Where is that at in the Bible?"
"Well, I don't know right off hand, but I could try to find it."
Good luck with that one.
I have found nothing in the Word of God that states anything remotely resembling that statement. And if you are standing in the Cafeteria Religion line thinking you are getting fed, let me give you some real food for thought:
Matthew 5:18-19 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot of one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Isaiah 28:9-13 Whom shall he teach knowledge?and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept; line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not...
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...
Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word of God.
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 John 5:7-8 for there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these tree are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit,and the water and the blood: and these three agree in one.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teacher, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Revelation 19:13-16 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almightly God. And he that on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
If His Word is true, which I am certain it is, then HE is the WORD.
That being said, if what was told to me was true then His Word was saying there was BAD in Him.
I may not have the whole thing memorized but I know there is nothing but Goodness in my God. And that would also mean that we were able to pick and choose what about Him we wanted to accept.
See, here is one way I do not agree with some. I have heard so many say that "So-In-So Accepted Christ as their personal Savior."
How arrogant is that statement?
To think that He is waiting with baited breath to see if I will ACCEPT HIM---The King of Glory?!?!
I think not!
The question is: Does He accept ME?
When I am standing before God, I will know who HE is, without a doubt, for the Word says "Every knee shall bow," and that includes mine.
But will He know me?
Have I lived up to His Word? Have I lived it Line upon Line, Precept upon Precept?
Because on that day, that line will become all too important.
So, are you living your life by the Cafeteria Plan?
Or are you living your life by His Plan?
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Music of a Life
Memories tread lightly, shifting through darkness, peaking around corners....
So many years....so many times....
And the memories come out of nowhere, tied to a moment...
Like sitting beside them both in the front seat of the car.....
Sitting up front, just my Mama and me....
Listening to their old records and pretending I was there, too....
And riding on the coat-tails of my older siblings teen-aged years....
As they found their paths and left me to find mine.....
Nights out with Mom and Dad....impressing my friends at 40 year olds that still listened.....
Times I struggled to find out who I was....
Times when I thought I had it all figured out....
And then when love came....
And I thought I was "All Grown Up" but life showed me different....
So I turned to Him....
While rocking my babies....
And although I stumbled and fell....He was waiting to pick me up...
How could I not give Him all of my praise....with all He has given me....
He has been my strength in times of trouble, my comfort in times of need....
He has given me the courage to say "Farewell for now" to my wonderful parents....
And a life filled with love and memories...the best life...one lived for Him....
No Turning back.....
Because I know the best is yet to come....
And someday....when my time comes....I want to be ready.....
But every now and then a memory will come gliding in on the wings of a song....
And I am transported to another place and time.....
And I remember....
Suddenly it becomes more than a song....it becomes a piece of my life....
Replayed once again.
So many years....so many times....
And the memories come out of nowhere, tied to a moment...
Like sitting beside them both in the front seat of the car.....
Sitting up front, just my Mama and me....
Listening to their old records and pretending I was there, too....
And riding on the coat-tails of my older siblings teen-aged years....
As they found their paths and left me to find mine.....
Nights out with Mom and Dad....impressing my friends at 40 year olds that still listened.....
Times I struggled to find out who I was....
Times when I thought I had it all figured out....
And then when love came....
And I thought I was "All Grown Up" but life showed me different....
So I turned to Him....
While rocking my babies....
And although I stumbled and fell....He was waiting to pick me up...
How could I not give Him all of my praise....with all He has given me....
He has been my strength in times of trouble, my comfort in times of need....
He has given me the courage to say "Farewell for now" to my wonderful parents....
And a life filled with love and memories...the best life...one lived for Him....
No Turning back.....
Because I know the best is yet to come....
And someday....when my time comes....I want to be ready.....
But every now and then a memory will come gliding in on the wings of a song....
And I am transported to another place and time.....
And I remember....
Suddenly it becomes more than a song....it becomes a piece of my life....
Replayed once again.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Separated at Birth
Although it is rare, there are many recorded instances of Identical Twins that were separated at birth, some even for the sake of research.
What has been found in each study is that both have many of the same mannerism and characteristics.
Such is the case of the 2 Jim's:
Jim Lewis and Jim Springer first met February 9, 1979, after 39 years of being separated. Both were very nervous at first, but now consider the reunion "the most important day of my life." Amid the euphoria over their rediscovery of each other, they came across astonishing similarities in their lives and behavior. Both had been adopted by separate families in Ohio, and had grown up within 45 miles of each other. Both had been named James by their adoptive parents, both had married twice; first to women named Linda and second to women named Betty. Both had children, including sons named James Allan. Both had at one time owned dogs named Toy.
Researchers of these separated twins seek to discover if it is "Nature" or "Nurture" that causes a person to become who they are. But ultimately, research has discovered that it is "Nature via Nurture" that shapes the person. It is our own inherent characteristics that develop out of our environment.
But it is the nature of who we are that dictates how we will react to our environment.
These twins may have had similar traits but their lives were different based on the environments they were raised in, their belief systems were different related to the fact that they were raised in different homes with different values.
When we experience the New Birth we bury the old man of sin and are "Born Again" as the Word of God teaches. That experience should mirror the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as we "REPENT" which is the turning away from the old ways (the death of the old man), and then are Baptized in the Name of Jesus, which represents the burial and filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost (representing the resurrection). (See Acts 2:38)
It is through that New Birth that we become separated from the world, that we "Come out from among" those that live in the world and begin a new life. And although we are still made from the same flesh and blood as everyone else, we are not the same.
As a child of the King of Kings I don't walk the same, I don't talk the same, I don't desire the same things.
And it is the nature of that separation from the things of the world and the nurture His Spirit that changes the fiber of who we are, causing us to act different, to make different choices.
It is the change in the very environment of our lives that begins to shape us and there is a marked difference in even the things that make us happy.
And while the world at large searches for the similarities between us and them, it should be our differences that are most noticeable.
People should be able to tell a Christian from the world.
The genetics that we received from our "Father" should allow those around us to know Him through us, see His eyes when looking in ours, hear His voice when we speak, and feel His touch from our hand.
Jesus signed our **New** Birth Certificate in His own blood. And it is that very blood that flows from Calvary in a crimson stream through the veins of all that are His.
What about you? Do you feel like there is something missing from your life? Maybe a part of yourself you have yet to discover?
Let me introduce you to your Father.........He has been waiting to get to know you.
What has been found in each study is that both have many of the same mannerism and characteristics.
Such is the case of the 2 Jim's:
Jim Lewis and Jim Springer first met February 9, 1979, after 39 years of being separated. Both were very nervous at first, but now consider the reunion "the most important day of my life." Amid the euphoria over their rediscovery of each other, they came across astonishing similarities in their lives and behavior. Both had been adopted by separate families in Ohio, and had grown up within 45 miles of each other. Both had been named James by their adoptive parents, both had married twice; first to women named Linda and second to women named Betty. Both had children, including sons named James Allan. Both had at one time owned dogs named Toy.
Researchers of these separated twins seek to discover if it is "Nature" or "Nurture" that causes a person to become who they are. But ultimately, research has discovered that it is "Nature via Nurture" that shapes the person. It is our own inherent characteristics that develop out of our environment.
But it is the nature of who we are that dictates how we will react to our environment.
These twins may have had similar traits but their lives were different based on the environments they were raised in, their belief systems were different related to the fact that they were raised in different homes with different values.
When we experience the New Birth we bury the old man of sin and are "Born Again" as the Word of God teaches. That experience should mirror the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as we "REPENT" which is the turning away from the old ways (the death of the old man), and then are Baptized in the Name of Jesus, which represents the burial and filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost (representing the resurrection). (See Acts 2:38)
It is through that New Birth that we become separated from the world, that we "Come out from among" those that live in the world and begin a new life. And although we are still made from the same flesh and blood as everyone else, we are not the same.
As a child of the King of Kings I don't walk the same, I don't talk the same, I don't desire the same things.
And it is the nature of that separation from the things of the world and the nurture His Spirit that changes the fiber of who we are, causing us to act different, to make different choices.
It is the change in the very environment of our lives that begins to shape us and there is a marked difference in even the things that make us happy.
And while the world at large searches for the similarities between us and them, it should be our differences that are most noticeable.
People should be able to tell a Christian from the world.
The genetics that we received from our "Father" should allow those around us to know Him through us, see His eyes when looking in ours, hear His voice when we speak, and feel His touch from our hand.
Jesus signed our **New** Birth Certificate in His own blood. And it is that very blood that flows from Calvary in a crimson stream through the veins of all that are His.
What about you? Do you feel like there is something missing from your life? Maybe a part of yourself you have yet to discover?
Let me introduce you to your Father.........He has been waiting to get to know you.
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