Personal
The World Hates Real Christians
Sep/12/2008 09:05 AM
“If the world hate you, ye
know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world,
the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world,
but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth
you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not
greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also
persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours
also.” John
15:18-20
Let’s face
it, folks. If you are a walking and talking Christian, the world
will hate you. These are the words of Jesus Christ, Himself. If you
follow Him in word and deed, the world will hate you, as they hated
Him.
So, what if you call yourself a Christian and the world loves you?
Then, you had better check your walk with the Lord.
My point? If you really love Jesus, the world (the spirit of the
world) will hate you. And Jesus also said, “If you love Me, keep My
commandments.” So, if you are a Christian doing your best to love
and follow Jesus, the world will hate you.
It’s very simple. Sarah Palin is not a threat to the world because
she is a woman, or a conservative. She is a threat to the world
because she is a walking, talking Christian - and that is stirring
up every demon in hell and every proponent of unrighteousness. It
is just that simple.
Sarah Palin is pro-life. She refuses to condone the murder of an
unborn child because she knows that it is contrary to the
commandments of God. Her obedience to God’s will puts her at odds
with those who worship “the god of self,” which is the spirit of
the world. This is why you see such a venomous response to her from
the likes of N.O.W. and Gloria Steinham. Their cause is not about
women’s rights - it is about serving the god of self.
As concerns the position of abortion, I’d like to make this
statement. If you are a Christian and have decided to support the
candidate who supports abortion, I would recommend that you
consider this scenario. Is it worth it to stand before the Judgment
Seat of Christ, and have Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of
Lords, ask you why the blood of fifty-million unborn babies is on
your hands? The choices you make now will last for eternity.
Choose this day whom you will serve! Will you vote with an eternal
perspective, or will you vote with your eyes on the world and the
god of this world? You do have a choice, but this choice can cost
you your soul.
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Living With The Pain Of Fibromyalgia
May/25/2007 05:05 PM
Today, May 25, is my son, Ian's
12th birthday. And it is by God's mercy and grace that I am still
here! Not a terrific faith statement for someone who should be
walking in great overcoming victory and healing. But, like
thousands upon thousands of other Americans, I have fallen prey to
this dread incurable (in the natural) condition known as
"fibromyalgia."
For those of you who have it, you know exactly what I am talking about, and we need to stick together on this thing. It is ugly and makes you feel horrible about yourself; it hurts like you have the flu, kidney stones and incapacitating back problems all at the same time, all the time, 24/7; and it disrupts your entire family and household because you cannot move on some days, and chores, cooking, and the most basic things of life just don't get done! And the worse part is: there is not much you can do about it....at least if you are over 50 and not given to sports or a good exercise program.
I have waited a few months to discuss this because I thought it would be better to write at a time when I have been sorely tested. Today is that day. I have not been able to purchase my medications for about five days because of a doctor being on vacation. Anyway, I've had no medications for the past five days, and it ain't fun. Next to childbirth, I would say that this is the most painful experience I've ever had to endure. It's not so much the degree of pain; it is that it lingers constantly like a kidney stone or a toothache - and it can make you mean and drive you nuts! But, hey, we're overcomers! It's just that sometimes we need a little help.
Let me preface my next paragraph by saying, above all else, we must put our faith in Jesus as our Healer - not in any kind of medicine or product. The minute you lose sight of God's healing grace, you will begin to put your faith in the medication alone - and that is not what we need to be doing. We have to keep our priorities in line. Then, we can continue to use the medications without guilt.
Now some of you may not believe in the use of pain medication. But, let me say this. Until you have walked in the shoes of a person who lives with chronic pain, you really cannot make judgments. If you can do it, then more power to you. But, when you have others who depend on you, day and night, or when you are the sole income provider, you have to do whatever it takes to function - even if it means subjecting yourself to medications. Some believe that the term "pharmakeia" in the Book of Revelation" is referring to all medications. Most studies that I have read indicate that the use of this word refers to drugs taken in conjunction with the occult to induce hallucinations and "visions" - which, of course, is demonic. This would include drugs like LSD or any other hallucinatory drugs.
Personally, I believe that it is all dependent upon one's motivation. Taking meds because you are sick is one thing, but taking them to get high or to escape from reality is another. This moves into the realm of idolatry. If the drug becomes your god, then you do have a problem. (You cannot serve two masters.) Fortunately for me so far, My God is still my god, and the medications simply help my body to serve. I am eagerly awaiting the day when my faith (which I must feed daily) will rise up and get in agreement with His Word, and manifest my total healing and deliverance. The daily discipline of feeding my faith is the area that needs the most improvement.
I keep telling myself this. "I am an overcomer!" "I have overcome because He overcame sickness, sin and poverty for me." And I will keep on telling myself this, even when nothing around me seems any different. I will keep on telling myself this because I am supposed to offer my body daily to His service, and I am to renew my mind to the Word of God (see Romans 12:1). It sounds a bit crazy when I do it, and it probably looks even more crazy. But through all of the pain, I know that I am getting stronger - even though I act like an absolute baby sometimes, mostly because I just weary of having eight years of this thing which has been progressively getting worse.
I've tried almost everything. Some things, however, are just too expensive - even though there have been wonderful reports of success using various products which regenerate cell communication. We're just not in a position to be able to maintain this kind of program at this time. There are also those who recommend exercise, but after I've tried that for a few days, I end up flat on my back for a week.
Nothing has tested my faith more than this - to have served the Lord for over a decade in ministry at home and abroad, and then to be struck down with a debilitating condition, especially when I am the principal caregiver for a special needs child who needs 24/7 assistance. I've gotten furious at God, waved my fist, cried, screamed and then repented for all of my ranting and raving.
I have spent years wondering if it is all caused by sin, and if so, what on earth have I ever done to deserve this? And then, I've rebuked that notion and blamed it on the devil. Then, I've turned around and just blamed it on circumstances. Again, you can just go nuts worrying about it. So, just don't! Rather, do this: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Phillipians 4:8)."
For those of you who have this condition, or who have just been diagnosed with it - first of all, don't blame the Lord. He didn't do it to you to teach you something. But He will, if you will let Him, get glory out of it.....eventually. You have to just keep on keeping on. Know this: "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4)." And when you can't take it anymore, remind the Lord of His promise: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13)."
Keep on expecting to be healed and delivered from it, and even if you aren't, don't let your heart become bitter. Get involved with helping others. Doing for others will not only bless you spiritually; it will make you feel better, literally. But at the same time, use wisdom. Your body has real issues, so don't just deny that they exist. Just deny that these issues have the right to be there! Jesus bore this sickness so that you wouldn't have to.
My family has had it very rough, as do all families of fibromyalgia patients. They just have a hard time understanding why we can't do anything like walk up the steps, or pick things up from the floor, etc. They don't always understand why we can be up and fine one day, and be on our backs the next. They get tired of having to do the dishes, or watching their brother, or running to the store for us. Not that they don't try - but, it gets really old after a while.
It helps to have family times for Bible study and prayer, as well as communication. Maintaining relationship within the family is vital to keeping the family wheel rolling without a hitch. It also helps to promote understanding. The same goes for the workplace. While everyone doesn't need to know of your condition, you should communicate it with some who can be a support for you.
All in all, I know that I will be healed some day. Perhaps next week, or next year, or next decade, or maybe not until I get to heaven. Either way, I will continue to love and serve Him. I may not be able to get out and physically do all of the things I used to, but I can still write!!! (Praise God forever!)
For those of you who have it, you know exactly what I am talking about, and we need to stick together on this thing. It is ugly and makes you feel horrible about yourself; it hurts like you have the flu, kidney stones and incapacitating back problems all at the same time, all the time, 24/7; and it disrupts your entire family and household because you cannot move on some days, and chores, cooking, and the most basic things of life just don't get done! And the worse part is: there is not much you can do about it....at least if you are over 50 and not given to sports or a good exercise program.
I have waited a few months to discuss this because I thought it would be better to write at a time when I have been sorely tested. Today is that day. I have not been able to purchase my medications for about five days because of a doctor being on vacation. Anyway, I've had no medications for the past five days, and it ain't fun. Next to childbirth, I would say that this is the most painful experience I've ever had to endure. It's not so much the degree of pain; it is that it lingers constantly like a kidney stone or a toothache - and it can make you mean and drive you nuts! But, hey, we're overcomers! It's just that sometimes we need a little help.
Let me preface my next paragraph by saying, above all else, we must put our faith in Jesus as our Healer - not in any kind of medicine or product. The minute you lose sight of God's healing grace, you will begin to put your faith in the medication alone - and that is not what we need to be doing. We have to keep our priorities in line. Then, we can continue to use the medications without guilt.
Now some of you may not believe in the use of pain medication. But, let me say this. Until you have walked in the shoes of a person who lives with chronic pain, you really cannot make judgments. If you can do it, then more power to you. But, when you have others who depend on you, day and night, or when you are the sole income provider, you have to do whatever it takes to function - even if it means subjecting yourself to medications. Some believe that the term "pharmakeia" in the Book of Revelation" is referring to all medications. Most studies that I have read indicate that the use of this word refers to drugs taken in conjunction with the occult to induce hallucinations and "visions" - which, of course, is demonic. This would include drugs like LSD or any other hallucinatory drugs.
Personally, I believe that it is all dependent upon one's motivation. Taking meds because you are sick is one thing, but taking them to get high or to escape from reality is another. This moves into the realm of idolatry. If the drug becomes your god, then you do have a problem. (You cannot serve two masters.) Fortunately for me so far, My God is still my god, and the medications simply help my body to serve. I am eagerly awaiting the day when my faith (which I must feed daily) will rise up and get in agreement with His Word, and manifest my total healing and deliverance. The daily discipline of feeding my faith is the area that needs the most improvement.
I keep telling myself this. "I am an overcomer!" "I have overcome because He overcame sickness, sin and poverty for me." And I will keep on telling myself this, even when nothing around me seems any different. I will keep on telling myself this because I am supposed to offer my body daily to His service, and I am to renew my mind to the Word of God (see Romans 12:1). It sounds a bit crazy when I do it, and it probably looks even more crazy. But through all of the pain, I know that I am getting stronger - even though I act like an absolute baby sometimes, mostly because I just weary of having eight years of this thing which has been progressively getting worse.
I've tried almost everything. Some things, however, are just too expensive - even though there have been wonderful reports of success using various products which regenerate cell communication. We're just not in a position to be able to maintain this kind of program at this time. There are also those who recommend exercise, but after I've tried that for a few days, I end up flat on my back for a week.
Nothing has tested my faith more than this - to have served the Lord for over a decade in ministry at home and abroad, and then to be struck down with a debilitating condition, especially when I am the principal caregiver for a special needs child who needs 24/7 assistance. I've gotten furious at God, waved my fist, cried, screamed and then repented for all of my ranting and raving.
I have spent years wondering if it is all caused by sin, and if so, what on earth have I ever done to deserve this? And then, I've rebuked that notion and blamed it on the devil. Then, I've turned around and just blamed it on circumstances. Again, you can just go nuts worrying about it. So, just don't! Rather, do this: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Phillipians 4:8)."
For those of you who have this condition, or who have just been diagnosed with it - first of all, don't blame the Lord. He didn't do it to you to teach you something. But He will, if you will let Him, get glory out of it.....eventually. You have to just keep on keeping on. Know this: "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4)." And when you can't take it anymore, remind the Lord of His promise: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13)."
Keep on expecting to be healed and delivered from it, and even if you aren't, don't let your heart become bitter. Get involved with helping others. Doing for others will not only bless you spiritually; it will make you feel better, literally. But at the same time, use wisdom. Your body has real issues, so don't just deny that they exist. Just deny that these issues have the right to be there! Jesus bore this sickness so that you wouldn't have to.
My family has had it very rough, as do all families of fibromyalgia patients. They just have a hard time understanding why we can't do anything like walk up the steps, or pick things up from the floor, etc. They don't always understand why we can be up and fine one day, and be on our backs the next. They get tired of having to do the dishes, or watching their brother, or running to the store for us. Not that they don't try - but, it gets really old after a while.
It helps to have family times for Bible study and prayer, as well as communication. Maintaining relationship within the family is vital to keeping the family wheel rolling without a hitch. It also helps to promote understanding. The same goes for the workplace. While everyone doesn't need to know of your condition, you should communicate it with some who can be a support for you.
All in all, I know that I will be healed some day. Perhaps next week, or next year, or next decade, or maybe not until I get to heaven. Either way, I will continue to love and serve Him. I may not be able to get out and physically do all of the things I used to, but I can still write!!! (Praise God forever!)
Today I Have Chosen to Feel Sorry for Myself
May/13/2007 06:51 PM
How
'bout that for
selfishness? Here it is Mother's Day, and all I seem to be able to
do is feel sorry for myself. I must be cautious as I write because
I do not want to give the impression that this kind of behavior is
acceptable. But it is happening right now. I just feel sorry for
myself!Why? Maybe because I have been changing diapers for seventeen years with no end in sight. Maybe it's because my house is a mess all of the time, mostly because I have a physical disability which keeps me from being able to do any bending and lifting, and because I have teenagers who typically pull up lame when it's their turn to clean the kitchen. Perhaps it is because I used to be a neatness freak, who had to just give up on it after my son began showing signs of cerebral palsy and autism. Or, because we are once again unable to pay for health insurance because the company just doesn't get the checks in on time and I cannot manage what I do not have.
Or, perhaps the biggest thing of all....I know better! That's the worst, because I know these things. I have taught them, prophesied them, proclaimed them and even walked them. But today, I just want to feel sorry for myself. Why is that? I wonder what kind of devils are assigned to Mother's Day? Depression? Apathy? Strife? Guilt? Fear of man? No doubt this is a day when hell is aimed at mothers - at least at mothers who give hell some trouble. Well, in that, I should rejoice. If after all of this, somehow I have managed to make the devil mad, then it is all worth it.
Guilt kicks in and whammo! Suddenly, it is "I haven't done enough: prayed enough or any at all; haven't been able to cook enough meals; help my kids with school; work to take some of the financial burden off of my husband; kept myself looking decent; kept myself thin; worshipped; studied the Word; gotten healed of my condition; gotten my son healed of his conditions; called my mom; called my mother-in-law; paid enough bills or at least communicated my intentions;" and the list just goes on and on. While the Holy Spirit is gentle in His rebukes, the devil is loud and obnoxious and throws it in your face. "See what you have done. See what you've not done. You are a rotten mother; a rotten wife; a rotten human being!"
So what happens when you feel sorry for yourself? You give all of these nasty little devils a place to lay their heads for the night. They want to hang out with you, and they are just waiting for you to show signs of weakness.
All of this is a process. It's okay to have feelings; it's what you do with them that matters. As Christians, we should know and recognize the attacks of the enemy when they come. If you don't think you can handle being around other people, it is okay to excuse yourself. Better to do that than to say something you may regret, and hurt someone's feelings because you are wearing your emotions too close to the surface.
Those of you who know me, know that I am painfully honest. I don't hide much - at least my face doesn't fake things easily. So, I have to be sure that when I am around other people, I am in a good state of mind (and emotion). Today was not one of those days. I have backed out of a mother's day dinner because I know that I would only drag everyone down. Not that I would do it on purpose, but my demeanor would do it. (One of those times when I should put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, as the scripture tells us to do.)
If you can relate to this, then let me encourage you. You can talk yourself out of it! Write down what is bothering you, then carefully go over your list. Take your grievances to the Lord, and then wait for Him to respond to you. He will, but you have to keep still and quiet. Once you have had your communication session, you will notice that the burdens will begin to lift. The more you can talk about things, the better you will feel, and eventually, you will actually talk yourself out of your mood (if you are willing!) Give it a try. I just did it!! Praise God!
But I'm Not Supposed To Be Doing This!
May/03/2007 10:32 AM
HELP! JESUS.....where are You? I'm
not supposed to be doing this. I'm not supposed to be acting this
way! What happened to the old days when I could just walk away from
a bad situation, or just keep my big mouth shut? What happened to
being able to say "no" to temptations? What about being able to get
the victory over sickness? This just ain't supposed to be
happening! So, wuz up, Lord?
Ever had one (or ten) of these moments? Well, don't feel alone and without hope. Jesus said that He would never leave us nor forsake us, and He won't (because He is not a man that He should lie). We can get down and wallow in our problems, which can be fun for a while until we, like the prodical son, realize that we are in the mud with the hogs. Or, we can get up out of the mud, and head home to our Heavenly Father, Who is there waiting to feed us the fatted calf, and clothe us with the robe of righteousness, and to place His ring upon our finger.
After more than twenty years of walking (sometimes stumbling) with Jesus, I have come to the conclusion that most of these times of confusion and temptation can be summed up in one line from the movie, "Cool Hand Luke." "What we have here is a failure to communicate."
Getting out of communion (or daily two-way communication with the Lord) will cause you to feel separated from Him (even though He is right there just waiting for you to talk with Him). And what would cause us to get out of communication with the Lord? "The cares of this world, the deceiptfulness of riches, the lust of other things." Or, you might say, unrepentant sin. (When we do something wrong, we tend to run and hide - just like Adam and Even ran from God to hide their nakedness.)
Notice that I said that we need two-way communication. It's not all about our talking to Him - making our requests made known. We need to hear from Him - through that still, small voice; through prayer; through the written Word; through our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Relationships cannot be healthy if only one person is doing all of the talking. We have to keep up our ends of the relationship and give Him the time He so richly deserves.
We don't want to wait around long enough to hear from God because we are afraid that if we do, we will hear something we don't want to hear - even though we know in our hearts that it will be the answer we are seeking..........(to be continued)
Ever had one (or ten) of these moments? Well, don't feel alone and without hope. Jesus said that He would never leave us nor forsake us, and He won't (because He is not a man that He should lie). We can get down and wallow in our problems, which can be fun for a while until we, like the prodical son, realize that we are in the mud with the hogs. Or, we can get up out of the mud, and head home to our Heavenly Father, Who is there waiting to feed us the fatted calf, and clothe us with the robe of righteousness, and to place His ring upon our finger.
After more than twenty years of walking (sometimes stumbling) with Jesus, I have come to the conclusion that most of these times of confusion and temptation can be summed up in one line from the movie, "Cool Hand Luke." "What we have here is a failure to communicate."
Getting out of communion (or daily two-way communication with the Lord) will cause you to feel separated from Him (even though He is right there just waiting for you to talk with Him). And what would cause us to get out of communication with the Lord? "The cares of this world, the deceiptfulness of riches, the lust of other things." Or, you might say, unrepentant sin. (When we do something wrong, we tend to run and hide - just like Adam and Even ran from God to hide their nakedness.)
Notice that I said that we need two-way communication. It's not all about our talking to Him - making our requests made known. We need to hear from Him - through that still, small voice; through prayer; through the written Word; through our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Relationships cannot be healthy if only one person is doing all of the talking. We have to keep up our ends of the relationship and give Him the time He so richly deserves.
We don't want to wait around long enough to hear from God because we are afraid that if we do, we will hear something we don't want to hear - even though we know in our hearts that it will be the answer we are seeking..........(to be continued)
Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaks-2
Apr/26/2007 01:06 PM
We have another Don Imus this
week, in the person of Rosie O'Donnell. I will quote the scripture
again:
"The good man (woman) out of the good treasure of his (her) heart brings forth that which is good, and the evil man (woman) out of the evil treasure of his (her) heart brings forth that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his (her) mouth speaks." Luke 6:45.
If Rosie's mouth is indeed an indication of the condition of her heart, then God help her. She needs a supernatural heart transplant, changing her heart from one of stone to a heart of flesh.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26)."
We Christians all know that this means she needs to have a born-again experience, but it is the job of the Holy Spirit to woo her. There is a lot of stony ground that needs to be plowed up before she will be ready to receive the Word of God. She has an embittered attitude towards Christians because she probably has not had much experience with Christians who are actually walking the talk.
Now, my first reaction to Rosie (in general) is one of revulsion. She mocks just about every value I hold dearly, and she mocks my faith in Jesus Christ. Of course, Jesus said that if they hated Him, they would hate us, too, and that if we are persecuted for His sake, we should rejoice.
But Rosie's job is to try and get a rise out of people. She doesn't care who she offends or how outrageous she behaves. She's a controlling person who bullies her way to the top. But, in reality, she is a lost soul hiding from God. The only Christians she has seen are the hardline religious "Christians" who are quick to judge and condemn rather than love her into God's kingdom. She doesn't want to hear that homosexuality is a sin. She would consider that offensive and judgmental. But the truth is, it is a sin. God loves the sinner, but He hates the sin. And it is the truth that will set the sinner free.
There are too many Christians out there who are quick to judge the sins of others at the expense of compromising their own love walks. Maybe if Rosie had been shown the true love of Christ at some point in her life, she could have been healed from all of the painful wounds which obviously torment her constantly. She compares the Christians to the radical Muslims (terrorists), because she sees the radical far right as a group whose purpose is to steal away her rights to sin however she chooses.
I have been guilty of behaving like the Christians that Rosie hates. In fact I would venture to guess that all of us have at some point or another. We are called to "be holy because He is holy," and "without holiness no one will see the Lord." But dwelling on the unholiness of others is not going to make us any more holy. Watching Rosie's disgusting (and I say this without judgment) behavior grieved me to the point of wanting to stop watching the media. It makes me sick - sick at the human condition; sick that the body of Christ has not done a very good job in the public eye; sick that being a Christian has become associated with being a far right wing religious political party (which will upset the Christian democrats).
"The good man (woman) out of the good treasure of his (her) heart brings forth that which is good, and the evil man (woman) out of the evil treasure of his (her) heart brings forth that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his (her) mouth speaks." Luke 6:45.
If Rosie's mouth is indeed an indication of the condition of her heart, then God help her. She needs a supernatural heart transplant, changing her heart from one of stone to a heart of flesh.
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26)."
We Christians all know that this means she needs to have a born-again experience, but it is the job of the Holy Spirit to woo her. There is a lot of stony ground that needs to be plowed up before she will be ready to receive the Word of God. She has an embittered attitude towards Christians because she probably has not had much experience with Christians who are actually walking the talk.
Now, my first reaction to Rosie (in general) is one of revulsion. She mocks just about every value I hold dearly, and she mocks my faith in Jesus Christ. Of course, Jesus said that if they hated Him, they would hate us, too, and that if we are persecuted for His sake, we should rejoice.
But Rosie's job is to try and get a rise out of people. She doesn't care who she offends or how outrageous she behaves. She's a controlling person who bullies her way to the top. But, in reality, she is a lost soul hiding from God. The only Christians she has seen are the hardline religious "Christians" who are quick to judge and condemn rather than love her into God's kingdom. She doesn't want to hear that homosexuality is a sin. She would consider that offensive and judgmental. But the truth is, it is a sin. God loves the sinner, but He hates the sin. And it is the truth that will set the sinner free.
There are too many Christians out there who are quick to judge the sins of others at the expense of compromising their own love walks. Maybe if Rosie had been shown the true love of Christ at some point in her life, she could have been healed from all of the painful wounds which obviously torment her constantly. She compares the Christians to the radical Muslims (terrorists), because she sees the radical far right as a group whose purpose is to steal away her rights to sin however she chooses.
I have been guilty of behaving like the Christians that Rosie hates. In fact I would venture to guess that all of us have at some point or another. We are called to "be holy because He is holy," and "without holiness no one will see the Lord." But dwelling on the unholiness of others is not going to make us any more holy. Watching Rosie's disgusting (and I say this without judgment) behavior grieved me to the point of wanting to stop watching the media. It makes me sick - sick at the human condition; sick that the body of Christ has not done a very good job in the public eye; sick that being a Christian has become associated with being a far right wing religious political party (which will upset the Christian democrats).
Out of the Abundance of the Heart the Mouth Speaks -1
Apr/14/2007 11:50 AM
Frankly, I couldn't care less
about the Don Imus situation. People just don't understand
that "the good man
out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is
good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings
forth that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart,
his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45.
Now, I am not implying by this scripture that Imus is an evil person. He does, after all, have the camp for sick children, and I am sure that he does many other good works. But guess what, folks? Good works without good character don't mean much. Kidding or not kidding, the words did come out of his mouth - as have countless other unkind words about many, many other people groups.
This is not going to change, no matter how many people complain, cry "foul," cancel broadcasts, etc. Don Imus must make a conscience decision to stop talking ugly about other people. This, of course, would probably cause him to lose half of his listeners, because unfortunately, they probably do the same thing...and misery deserves company.
Until we are all saved, justified, sanctified and glorified, we just have to guard our hearts, guard our tongues, be slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to repent, quick to forgive and quick to receive forgiveness.
Now, I am not implying by this scripture that Imus is an evil person. He does, after all, have the camp for sick children, and I am sure that he does many other good works. But guess what, folks? Good works without good character don't mean much. Kidding or not kidding, the words did come out of his mouth - as have countless other unkind words about many, many other people groups.
This is not going to change, no matter how many people complain, cry "foul," cancel broadcasts, etc. Don Imus must make a conscience decision to stop talking ugly about other people. This, of course, would probably cause him to lose half of his listeners, because unfortunately, they probably do the same thing...and misery deserves company.
Until we are all saved, justified, sanctified and glorified, we just have to guard our hearts, guard our tongues, be slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to repent, quick to forgive and quick to receive forgiveness.
Resurrection Sunday
Apr/08/2007 09:44 AM
I really don't know who, if anyone, will read this (today or ever), but I feel compelled to begin my "blogging" on this Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007. Perhaps it is the fact that I am sitting at home, not going to a poignant and heartfelt Easter program at a church - or perhaps the fact that for the past three years, I have not been able to go to "church" because of my son's difficult and sporadic autistic behavior. Perhaps it is because for the past six months, I have spent about 70% of my time lying on my back in bed with acute fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome and all of the multitude of conditions that go with them. In a nutshell, I have given in to my circumstances.
My point is, it is time to receive the resurrection power which I (and all of us) have been given by Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Easier said than done, you say? Well, perhaps. But it is true all the same. Just because you don't believe something, does not believe that it is not true.
How many of you can relate to what I am saying? You feel like God has forgotten you, or that He is mad at you and left, or that you must have committed the unpardonable sin, or that you have taken your backslidings just a little too far this time? Let me tell you. For those of you who may be new believers, I am speaking from over twenty years of walking with the Lord - and you may need to get a few years under your belt before you can fully grasp this. Even those of us who are "called" into the ministry (which we all are), we, too, can feel like we are all alone in our trials; that God has left us or given up on us. This, of course, is a lie and contrary to God's word. And we must continually remind ourselves and fill ourselves with His word (and not our own fears and doubts).
He said that He would never leave us nor forsake us. But why, sometimes, in our most grueling trials, does He seem to be so far away or untouchable? You could literally drive yourself crazy trying to figure things out. That is when you just need to trust His word. You know it is truth. You know that you know that you know - so just defy common sense and what the world may tell you - and believe Him. When all else humanly possible fails, just believe God - plain and simple. Surrender to His word, to His will, and to His love.
Throughout my struggles and sufferings one thought has always been with me - that although I feel isolated and alone, He is just waiting for me to come to Him in Spirit and truth. He stands at the door and knocks. We get so wrapped up in our own misery (which sometimes cannot be helped, but can be overcome), that we unknowingly elevate our misery above the throne of God. (Sound familiar? This was one of Lucifer's goals.) Technically, this is called idolatry. So, without knowing it and certainly without meaning to, we have fallen into idolatry and put ourselves and our problems ahead of God. Oh my. Did I do that? I would never do such a thing, we say.
Well, I for one have decided that enough is enough. I am tired of allowing these hellish syndromes and conditions to dictate what I can and cannot do. If I don't succeed, at least I will have tried. Scripture does tell us that "the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead resides in us, and will quicken our mortal bodies." On that I will rely.
Any of you out there with fibromyalgia? Are you ready to break out of your "brain fog?" Ready to let God arise and quicken your aching and fatigued body? Let's go for it on this Resurrection Day. Pray for one another that we might be healed. Pray for the grace to accomplish our goal. Surrender to God's amazing love and let Him carry us through it to victory.
As one New Yorker once said, "it can't hoy-t." (hurt, in case you don't grasp the accent).
