The 6th commandment of the Lord

On Monday, Sept. 29, my husband listened to the Jan Michelson show on WHO. A woman who said she was a Jewish lesbian was talking. According to my husband, she spouted that Governor Palin was not for women because she was against abortion and women being in a love relationship with each other. As a Jew, she reportedly said she followed the Old Testament.

These are the Ten Commandments, found in the Old Testament book of Exodus 20: 1-17:
1. Do not worship any other god
2. Do not make idols of any kind
3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord
4. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not testify falsely against your neighbor
10. Do not covet your neighbor's house

The 6th commandment is today's topic.

Under the original letter of the law, the Ten Commandments, as given to ancient Israel, and recorded in the Old Testament, the 6th commandment, "You shall not murder," refers to intentional killing or murder. In pagan countries of long ago and perhaps of today as well, children were burned alive or eaten as a human sacrifice to their gods. Are we here in the United States any better? We claim to be a Christian nation, but if that is true, why is there abortion? Isn't abortion the taking, the killing of innocent life? Abortion is not an accident; getting pregnant can be an accident, but that doesn't mean we should stamp out that accident by intentionally killing what is growing inside.

Each person has a choice. Right or wrong. God's choice is for life. God created life. He alone has the right to say when a life shall be taken. We can not, should not be making this determination ourselves. Jesus declares hate and anger to be the source of intentional killing or murder. We think - we act. We do not realize the consequences of our actions ... or do we? Maybe we don't care. Judgement will still come. Not from our peers, but from the Almighty. You don't see it? Watch, wait. It will come and it will be too late. "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord (Romans 12:19b).

Related article: The 4th commandment of the Lord

Are you a dissatisfied Christian?

So much woe is me. Not enough looking to Jesus. People come to the church, people get saved, people join the church, become members. But they're not really members (some are).

Always people leave. Some leave because of the "woe is me" attitude - because they're dissatisfied - they're not getting what they think they should ... dissatisfied with other people within, with the pastor, with the numbers.

It shouldn't be so. Jesus too was dissatisfied. Did you see him walk away - No!
He reached out. He continuously prayed to the Father. He is the example we are to follow. But do we follow Him? Heck no. We're on a pitty party.

It's not about numbers. It's never been about numbers, but yet it has been. Churches all over the country seem to always be concerned with having more members. It's just not about how many join a church or how many stay. It shouldn't be anyway.

It's about reaching out - reaching the lost, bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus. It's also about reaching out to your fellow believers. Reaching out - encouraging one another, showing compassion, being kind. Not back-stabbing, not talking about one another behind their backs, not ridiculing.

If you're going to profess to be a follower of the Lord Jesus, then be a follower of Him alone.

Don't follow the sound of your own voice, reason. It isn't always the Holy Spirit who guides you on a given path. ... there is another ... and he leads down a path of destruction. Don't allow Satan to become your king.

Jesus says, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) He doesn't say more and more is necessary for the Lord's will to be done.

Jesus also says to go forth, preach the word.
When we go, when we follow the Lord, those who stay behind should not dwell on the whys and wherefores. People come. People go. The judgement is between each of us individually and God alone. We are ultimately responsible to Him, not to each other. He is our Master ... we are each other's brother and sister.

James 1:5 and 6a says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting."

We need to have a sincere desire to follow God's direction and faith that His way is best. Not our way. Not another's directions.

ONLY JESUS.

Outing at Palisades-Kepler

Today was a glorious day, well actually, the weekend was simply splendid. This afternoon, from about 3:30 to 7 p.m., we and a couple of friends, who are celebrating their second anniversary on the 29th, traipsed around Palisades-Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon.

Here are some digital shots. We also took prints, but they won't be ready for at least a week. Enjoy.

We took the Cedar Cliff Trail, which my husband so documented. It looks like a big pencil.

The second photo is a reflection - I love reflections - as the Cedar River meanders through the park.

The third photo is a glorious meeting of the sun and sky - a Skywatch post.



Our outing also took us into downtown Mount Vernon, where we found the Lincoln Highway Arts Fest was just winding down, closing up shop actually. But we found ample things to do just the same. These pretty flowers were sitting in a tub next door to an antiques shop, which of course was closing soon after we got there. Jim and I will go back there again and take a longer tour through vintage-era goodies.

Here's a quite impressive shot of King Chapel on the campus of Cornell College. Such a pretty campus it is.

Our last stop was at the Abbe Creek School Museum.

The seedling mile of the Lincoln Highway was near this spot and a marker shows it. The Abbe cemetery is across the street.

The day ended, driving home along the Lincoln Highway, with the sun beginning to set.

Always learning

I'm always learning something new, even when I'm feeling crummy and my disposition is considerably under par. The verse on this blog, "Morning by morning he (The Lord) wakens me and opens my understanding to his will" is from Isaiah 50:4b. I have read this before many times. It wasn't until a week ago that it hit me, that it sunk in. That no matter how often we study a given passage, we learn, glean something from it that supersedes whatever we learned before.

Here are some of the things I learned this week through the Scriptures:

• Because Christ bore the reproach of others, so should we. That even though we often disagree with the beliefs of others, we are to live as Christ did. We are to look to Him for all our answers and be obedient to His will. Even though there are (and will continue to be) many differences between Jews and Gentiles, the common bond is faith in Christ. That common bond is much greater (or should be) than their difference.

• In discerning false prophets, each of us needs to figure it out for ourselves. I John 4 says, "Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is the way to find out if they have the Spirit of God: If a prophet achnowledges that Jesus Christ became a human being, that person has the Spirit of God. If a prophet does not acknowledge Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist (of deception)."

Living the new life

Living the new life is hard even as a mature Christian. We are to fill our thoughts about godly things, not just about things here on earth. That's what Scripture tells us in Colossians 3:1-2.
We strive to follow what the Holy Spirit urges us - if we are studying God's word, praying, seeking His wisdom, listening, being obedient to His commands. We are not all so fruitful at all times. Doing these things brings us into a much closer relationship, union with Jesus Christ, but it can never happen because its right or because you should. Love needs to be at the center. Love for Jesus and what He did for us individually; love for others because of His love.
We are to "put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking with you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry." (v. 5)

Galatians 5:16 and following talks about living by the Spirit's power. Verse 17 says, "The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just the opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from the conflict."
Never free from conflict. Every single step we take (or don't take) is a choice - leading us to do good or evil.
The evil that results from our sinful desires is more extensive than that noted in Colossians 3:5. It is also more extensive than that noted in Galatians 5:19:

sexual immorality
impure thoughts
eagerness for lustful pleasure
idolatry
participation in demonic activities
hostility
quarreling
jealousy
outbursts of anger
selfish ambition
divisions
the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group
envy
drunkenness
wild parties

Verse 22 tells us that by allowing the Holy Spirit to control us, guide us, we will produce good fruit:
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control

Where are you? Are you walking with Christ? Are you striving to live a holy life, but not a "holier than thou" one?

It is not easy. But it is worth it.

Priority: skin color or character?

Another interesting article from the Christian Newswire service regarding the upcoming presidential election arrived in my e-mail box today: "Black Conservatives Join to Warn Fellow Believers About Making Skin Color Top Priority in Presidential Election" Read it here or click on the above title.

CHICAGO, Sept. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- While polls indicate up to 96 percent of America's Black constituency plans to vote for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama this November, a growing number of African-American conservative leaders are exhorting Christians not to vote based on skin color, but on character.

The latest edition of Freedom's Journal Magazine, which poses the soul stirring question, "Are we more Black than Christian?" is published in Obama's south side Chicago backyard; and warns that Black Americans bright future could be irreparably dimmed if Obama and his radical leftist political agenda emerge victors come this Nov. 4th.

"Dr. Martin Luther King's dream that future generations be judged by the content of their character would be set back decades if Obama wins based on racial loyalty alone. Obama's skewed approach to traditional Judeo-Christian values and his obvious inexperience in leading through times of crisis would spell disaster for the black community and our nation as a whole," Dr. Eric Wallace, founder of Wallace Multimedia Group, LLC and Freedom's Journal Magazine said today.

FJM, which premiered in January 2008, is an emerging political voice for conservative Black leaders. This month's edition features a compelling op-ed by nationally syndicated columnist Star Parker on the topic of racial and gender politics. Other noteworthy highlights include how religion influences politics, and the contrast of Obama's policies with that of Republican candidate John McCain's.

"Christians who are tempted to support Barack because of a feeling that we aren't doing enough to fight poverty, racism or sexism, etc. need to realize that the government cannot (and should not) do the work of the Church," Wallace writes in his editorial "Unto the Least of These." "As a matter of fact, government will, in almost every case, limit what can be done."

Freedom's Journal Magazine's exciting interactive online digital format offers the latest in news, commentary and opinion with a biblical worldview. Wallace Multimedia Group, LLC will soon release its first full-length video presentation featuring national Black leaders speaking out on issues of faith, race and politics.

For more information, see www.freedomsjournalmagazine.com

For or Against

Pro-Choice . . . Pro-Life . . . perhaps better is For Life or Against Life

God desires us to use all we have to further his kingdom, BUT you and I have the choice.
God created life, thus He is for life. Unfortunately, through some of the choices we make in our lives, the phrases "Pro Choice" and "Pro Life" came into being.

We always have a choice. Since Adam and Eve, humans have had a choice - good over evil.

I am for life. And that is my choice.

God understands

Psalm 33:13-15 says, "The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do."

It's a good thing He does, because I certainly don't.

Today is a downer. God knows that. I want Him to pick me up and encircle me with his love and comfort. I want to not feel the way I do.

Distressed
Today.
All because
I remembered
what today was.
Of what it became.

I imagine.
I know.
God knows my thoughts.

Life ends
Life begins
What is sandwiched inbetween
is what is important.

Get me past Lord
these remorseful feelings I have

Gone, but not forgotten.
Help me keep the memories
of her life alive
and
bury the memories
of her death/demise

We all have loved ones die

Help me Lord
stay focused
... on You

Flood my soul with love
Encircle me ...

Cathy Orrick Luders

9.23.2008

My mom

This is a picture of my mom, taken July 29, 1990, at Bever Park in Cedar Rapids. The occasion was her 80th birthday celebration. I thought the photo a fairly good one, in that she looks happy. My mother was born on July 31, 1910. She lived 86 years and a few months. She went home ... to heaven on Sept. 23, 1996.

Sometimes it is hard to imagine her being gone for 12 years already or that in 2010, just two years from now, she would be 100.

Jim and I were thinking of her the other day, when we saw all the Halloween candy at the store.

We grew up in rural southwest Cedar Rapids and it wasn't until the early 1970s that my mom moved into town. The move enabled her to enjoy the little kids coming to her door on Halloween night, dressed in cute costumes and asking for a treat. She enjoyed that so much during those years. The funny thing is, the treats she bought for them was often consumed long before Oct. 31 arrived, and she'd have to buy more bags of candy. Instead of two bags, it would be four!

Spin Art

My husband is responsible for this spin art creation. I think it is the best he has ever done, but then I could be a bit bias. We spent today at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo. We have been attending it for years, at least the 17 or so that we've been married, and Jim a long time before that too. He grew up in Cedar Falls and on kids day, secondary schools in the area let the kids out early to go to the fair. The spin art booth has been a mainstay. Last year though the booth wasn't there and no one seemed to know why not. This year, we discovered the couple who had been doing it retired, and sold it to a younger couple. It is good this fun and inexpensive way to create art will remain for more generations to come. Another mainstay of Cattle Congress which we enjoy is the AMVETS Noodle Nook -- oodles and oodles of chicken and noodles, plus boiled potatoes, coleslaw, rolls and butter, and milk or coffee, all for $7. Its very tasty. Jim says they've been at the Cattle Congress grounds for well over 50 years - they were there when he was a little boy.

If you have never been to the Cattle Congress, think about it for next year. Or you could go tomorrow - Sunday is the last day of a 4-day run. Something for everyone.

God's beauty

This is a SkyWatch Friday post! You can click here to to view Sky Watch shots from here and there.

A godly life

1 Peter 2:12 says, "Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world."

The most powerful testimony is a godly life.

Am I ungodly? I am unworthy. I was once ungodly. I was once among those who do not call you Lord Father, whose aim in life is to follow their own whims and desires. The journey we travel is sometimes short, out before we start; sometimes long and winding. We all travel a different route. We each have different opinions, sometimes, perhaps more frequently than we should, those opinions are voiced too loudly, not thinking about what we're saying.

The political arena doesn't much interest me. I tend to watch from the sidelines, then make my choices. To back someone when nearly everyone around you is criticizing that very person or team makes you want to cower in a corner. I hear my husband frequently say, "Why would anyone want to run for public office, to be criticized about every little thing all along the way. Taking everything out of context." Why indeed.

I have a blog, two actually. The first one I started in 2005 and hardly anyone read it. Still I voiced my thoughts, my feelings, my prayers. The second one I started this year. And I have readers - no one comments on it, but I know its read. Plus its linked to http://www.gazetteonline.com/ The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Readers know where I stand.

I read the "Our Daily Bread" (http://www.rbc.org/) devotional. Sometimes I have read other devotionals. Each offers insights, reminders. Sometimes the short devotional study develops into a longer Bible study - of a specific word or thought. I've found Jesus' teachings in parables to be rather interesting. The longer I walk with Christ the more I get an inkling of what he's teaching ... what the symbolism he uses means. It is exciting.

I hope I do not offend anyone. However, because I am human, I probably will. And because of what I believe, I probably will. That's just the way it is. I'm not going to reneg, back down just because you don't like it.

Am I ungodly? I accepted Christ as my savior, I am one of His children. The route I have chosen, to follow Christ, is under construction. My hope, in the end, is He will be pleased with me.

"If God be for me, who can be against me?" No one. No one.

Christians - don't be speechless, be heard

I watched with intent interest the last half of a program titled "Speechless: Silencing the Christians'' www.silencingchristians.com on insp.com Saturday night. Christians should not become downtrodden and squashed, 'speechless,' but stand up for what they believe.
Commentator Janet Parshall talked about separation of church and state and that its not absolute and the double standards allowed in schools across our country, i.e., such as its okay to study Islam and pray to Allah but not to study Christianity and pray to God.

The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights were discussed, especially the First Amendment, which says: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
That to me includes Christianity, not everything except. No one should prohibit the free exercise of Christianity, the right of Christians to peaceably assemble, the right of Christians to petition the Government.

The program is a must see, whether you view it on television or online. Check it out. Take a stand. Make yourself heard.

A prayer

Dear Lord,
I am blessed you came into my life, turned me around, surrounded me with loving Christian people to teach me your ways and to grow in closer fellowship with you.

I thank you for your love for me.

I pray for all those who are afflicted this day - in addition to Jim and I - because there are many. Afflictions vary. We often wish they would just go away. But that's not always possible. Sometimes the affliction is there to help us learn something about our life - with you, or possibly without you, and thus our need for you.

I pray you will enable us to make the property tax payment due. $800 something and we need an additional $300. Through you this payment has been realized the last two times. Help me with my unbelief. I am fearful. Help me to rely totally on you, to not jump the gun, to know what to do and when.

Help me Lord to NOT move out ahead of you, thinking I alone have the answers. I do not. My answers are never quite enough. My reasoning is based on being human. There is more to life than breath.

Help me Lord with my struggles. Keep my fears beyond reach, be with me always, be my constant companion, my Father, the Father I never really had fully here on Earth.

In your precious name I pray. Amen.

The pain of it all

Today pain is with me. Yesterday too. I have arthritis in my wrists as a result of an auto accident 15 years ago. It doesn't bother me all the time and some people think it is carpal tunnel, but I know differently. It doesn't matter if I'm using the computer or reading or drinking a cup of tea or doing absolutely nothing. It just hurts. Plus I'm cold. Nice outdoors, nice indoors too. But I'm cold. The sweater feels good on my arms. Having thyroid disease doesn't help the situation. Much like having diabetes doesn't make things any better. Just makes you more conscious of what is around you. I'm not especially hungry either, but Jimmy will be home soon for lunch, and we're having vegetable beef soup. So, until another post....

Persecuted Christian?

I think Christians in America are persecuted. Not the way they are in other countries though ... more subtle.

There are hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. who do not believe what the Bible says or that Jesus was born of God and man or that Jesus died for ALL of our sins or that He takes care of us. Those people think its a disgrace on our (us Christians) part, that we would stupe to such lies. This is just like Biblical times. God said it would happen and would continue until the end of time. And so it is.

Perhaps too few American Christians stand up for their beliefs. Perhaps too many of us stay in the background, on the sidelines, professing only silently what we believe. I don't know.

Fear of the unknown plays a big part. Be gentle, be compassionate, be patient, be honest. Be true to the Lord. Be obedient to His teachings.

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
I believe the Lord Jesus
saved me from my sins
He gave up the ghost
laid down His life
ALL for me.
ALL for me.

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
I have many fears and doubts
I am much like another
But different you see
for I have Jesus
And He means more to me
than whatever you have to offer.

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
I believe in God's power
His holy word
He is my Father
up in heaven
Understands me better
than any being here on Earth.

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
I reside in the United States of America,
in Iowa
in Cedar Rapids
But its only for a while
Someday I will go home ...
to my Father up in heaven

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
a child, daughter
of the King
For Jesus died for me.
ALL for me.
ALL for me.

Cathy Orrick Luders

9.10.2008

R E M E M B E R God's Truths

This was originally written in my first blog, In...Sight, on Oct. 26, 2006.

REJOICE in the Lord always for He is with us
ETERNALLY when we have
REPENTED of our sins past present and future and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour.
MEDITATE on the Scriptures - the word of God - for they are our instructions for living, an
EXAMPLE of how God wants us to live and not to live.
MAJESTIC BEAUTY of God's wondrous creation surrounds us - the mountains, sunrise and sunset, rainbow after a storm and much more.
BLESSINGS flow from above when we are one with Him. We must run the race set before us with
ENDURANCE. God enables us to continue on, to
ENDURE, to
RESIST the Devil. We are
RENEWED daily when we seek God's will, look to Him.
Cast ALL our BURDENS upon Him and He will give us REST.

Accepting responsibility

A way to please God and grow spiritually is to accept personal responsibility for our actions, not blame them on another. Passing the buck gets us nowhere.

Sin began with Genesis 3:6 when Eve listened to the serpent (of which Satan spoke through), believed the lie of Satan, thereby disobeying God, and ate from the tree in the midst of the garden. Eve offered the fruit to Adam who partook. It wasn't the act of eating that was the sin. Satan tempted them; they both accepted the temptation, placing their own wills above God's. Adam didn't sin because of Eve - he made his own choice. He could have said NO. Eve also could have said No, but she did not. Cannot say it's because she's the weaker vessel. They are both weak - we are all weak.

God gave us choices. What we do or don't do determines our character. When we do something wrong, when we think even we've done something wrong, whether we have truly or not, a sense of guilt comes upon us. Then we want to cover it up, figure out a way to hide from it. But we need to acknowledge it - the sin. We need to come clean.

When we don't acknowledge what we've done and continue to make poor choices, eventually you will discover your choices have imprisoned you - if only in your mind. That will be enough. The turmoil within will destroy you.

Seek out God. Know Him in your heart. Head knowledge is worthless if you do not have a very personal relationship with Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resist, Repent, Renew.
REMEMBER God's Truths

Is he the anti-Christ?

During morning fellowship Sunday at church some of us were discussing the presidential candidates. It was suggested Obama could be the anti-Christ. That's scary. What are your thoughts?

Success

Success makes it harder to depend on the Lord.

Very true. It's much easier to stay true, to pray, wait on the Lord when we don't have much, if anything. The more we make, the more we think its all our own doing. It isn't.

All we have is because of God's grace. If we make more money it is because God enabled that to happen. If we don't thank the Lord for what He has given us, If we don't obey His commandments, we're facing His judgement. Don't think you are above reproach. Don't think because you are not a believer or you follow some other god, you are free from the wrath of the Lord Almighty. We are all under His judgement. Every single one of us. No one is exempt.

Political polls and Christians

I receive regular emails from the Christian Newswire and one which I found particularly interesting had to do with the Top Three Election Issues for Active Christians, with poll results from NationalChristianPoll.com Politics is not my cup of tea, it never has been; I do not keep up-to-date with the affairs of the world. The upcoming presidential election was no different. The candidates did not excite me. Sometimes they do. It was more interesting when there were more choices, but then my selections were never chosen. And so I decided I would vote for Mickey Mouse, unless something drastic changed of course. The change came, with the forum meeting of Barack Obama and John McCain with Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church and well-known in Christian circles of the "Purpose-Driven" books. I watched, I listened and I determined I would vote for McCain. No longer was Mickey Mouse in the running. And then he picked for his running mate an Evangelical Christian, whose beliefs mirrored his own and mine as well. And that set it in stone. McCain and Sarah Palin became my choice for the next president of the United States.

What I want to share are the highlights of that poll. You can go here http://nationalchristianpoll.com/poll/vpsurvey.html to view the results yourself and download the entire report.

• Nearly all (97%) Active Christians are registered voters.
• Almost all (97%) Active Christian registered voters are planning to vote in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election.
• Three out of twenty (15%) Active Christian registered voters would vote for Barack Obama while about seven out of ten (71%) would vote for John McCain.
• Healthcare (78%), economy (77%), and war (76%) are the top three issues for those who will vote for Obama.
• Abortion (73%), moral issues (70%) and terrorism (68%) top the issues for those who will vote for McCain.
• Slightly more than half (53%) of the Active Christian registered voters who would vote for Barack Obama had a more favorable view of him after he chose Joe Biden as his running mate.
• Top issue influencing Active Christian registered voters more favorable view of Obama after he chose Joe Biden is the war.
• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of the Active Christian registered voters who would vote for John McCain had a more favorable view of him after he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate.
• Top issue influencing Active Christian registered voters more favorable view of McCain after he chose Sarah Palin is abortion.
• Approximately half (52%) of the Active Christian registered voters describe themselves as Evangelical.

Make your own determination. But don't decide not to vote.

Today is .... what?

Today is I think Thursday, but it seems like Saturday. It's been a strange week. Holidays help that feeling along. Last weekend I had Friday and Saturday off, worked Sunday; then had Labor Day off (a rarity); then I worked Tuesday and Wednesday. And now I have today (in exchange for working this Saturday) and Friday off.

Today's agenda was being cold, wet, damp, crummy. But outside of that, it was a nice day. My husband Jimmy had the afternoon off from work, so he and I spent it together, walking around at the mall, and just enjoying being together. Then we came home. We were going to attend a high school football game this evening at Kingston Stadium between C.R. Washington and whoever, but the weather dampened that idea considerably and we didn't go. Besides the sophomore game was cancelled. Another time we'll try.

So I made some hot tea and called a couple of friends. Spent two hours on the phone chatting. It was most enjoyable. A good day for visiting, ... and playing games. Jimmy and I had leftover pizza for supper and then played dominos and Rack-o. It seems to never fail, he must cheat (not really), but we played seven games of dominoes, and he won the first four! Then we played Rack-o, a card game of sorts, and of the three games played, I only won the second one. It's just luck. He doesn't cheat, but I always say he does.

And now its after 9 p.m., how fast the day has gone by. I feel I have not accomplished much, but perhaps I have.

Forgiveness

The Sunday School lesson for this week has to do with forgiveness, with Scripture in Matthew 18 : 21-35. There were several interesting points, but those that I will share here have to do with what forgiveness is and what it is not.

I found it an eye opener. I have believed ... it has been pointed out to me repeatedly it seems, that when you forgive another, that's it. You're supposed to forget, get past it, don't think about it, don't go there. All pain is supposed to vanish. Well, I found out that isn't true.

Forgiveness DOES NOT mean:

• forgetting the whole thing ever happened
• ignoring the pain / pretending it never happened
• there will be no justice / they'll get away with what they did
• feelings don't count

Biblical forgiveness means releasing the offender from making it up to you. It is not an emotional release, not something we feel, but a mental and spiritual release. Different. Biblical forgiveness acknowledges the offense. If we're not honest about our pain, if we can't share that, we can't heal. Biblical forgiveness affirms we trust God to handle the offender and removes us ourselves as the punisher. Meaning there will be justice, but not our way. God's way.

If I bring mention of the offense up again or if I am reminded of the hurt as a result of something else said, does it mean I have not forgiven the offender? -- I'm not sure, I don't think so. I think the pain is still there and I have to re-acknowledge that and again give it to the Lord for Him alone to handle. What would not be a good idea is to renew the offense with the offender, to rehash things. I can't be the judge. I can't bring the judgement. God will handle it. You just have to give it to Him. It's not that easy. But its the best way, best thing to do.

I need to mention here, and why I haven't before now I don't know. But lest I forget, you need to know .... Jesus forgave me of my sins. Jesus paid the ultimate price for the sins of us all. It is right that I forgive others as He forgave me. Still, it is not always easy to do.

"Consider your ways!"

Today's Scripture brought me to Haggai 1 : 2-7. In verses 5 and 7, the Lord says, "Consider your ways!" (New King James version) or "Consider how things are going for you." (New Living Translation)

We say one thing - we say the time isn't here to do this or that for the Lord. We don't really know. How are we to know what is, when is time. Only the Lord knows. He tells us, but we don't listen well.

Verse 6 (NJK version) says,
"You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag of holes."

Look to the Lord always, center your focus on Him and Him alone, don't veer off to this or that, don't think too heavily on other things that only distract you, keep you away from the one true focus. It is hard. Sometimes when it is hard it is easy to stay focused; other times that is not so true. We all have struggles. My struggles may not seem as big or as important to you as your struggles, but that matters little. Anything and everything is important to the Lord.

The more I study the Bible the more I see how it is all woven together. It is not separated, mixed up, jumbled. It flows smoothly. My life is jumbled, in disarray. But with the Lord in control ... when I allow the Lord to take the reigns of my life to lead me, I will be able to overcome all that pains me. The struggles may still be apparent, but they won't rule over me. God will be in control. The hurdles will not be so cumbersome. God will be in control. God is in control. I am not ... no matter how much I think I am. I only falter. God must be. Here.

IF I would remember

If children, or anyone for that matter, are to find their way to God, we Christians must point the way. Always, all the time. Unfortunately, I am not always God's best servant. I sometimes let my personal wants and desires get the best of me and become outspoken, and, as a result, sin. Oh what grief I imagine this causes my Father. If only I would remember and follow His teachings regularly. I can only begin again, strive anew...

Labor Day / Freedom Fest

We spent most of the day at home, watching the Muscular Dystrophy telethon or working on various projects on the computer. But around 4:30 we got our lawn chairs and other stuff together and drove down to Ellis Park for the Five Seasons Ski Team show. A lot of people came out for the belated Freedom Festival event. The day was enjoyable, not too hot nor cold. We had a good seat for visiting and watching both seasoned participants and beginners perform.

Our next stop was out at the Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Cedar Rapids Municipal Band played their last concert of the season, mostly patriotic tunes, all very good. The Stars and Stripes brought everyone to their feet. My husband frequently comments that it should be our national anthem.

By 8:20 p.m., the 20-minute fireworks display started. Displays actually. One inside the stadium, and the other near the ice arena. It was spectacular. For the first time we had front row seats - we could see down low. When it was held downtown we sat in front of the court house and you could only see what was up high. So this was different and a nice different too.

It seems every event always has a down side. Don't know why that is. The down side for our visit to the stadium was you could not bring drinks or food inside. Food and beer is one thing, but no water?! Even the vendors outside the stadium - if you wanted to eat or drink their stuff, you did so outside the gates. I didn't think it was fair. Therefore, we did not buy anything inside the stadium.

Reminders

My favorite verse in the Bible is from Proverbs 3: 5-6. I use it on nearly all of my E-mail correspondence and have it placed various other places as well. This morning I decided to review past journal entries of this year. Of course I came across that verse again. It reminded me of what I should be doing and what I should not be doing. God is in control at all times. Not us. Not me. We may think we have it all together, but that's far from true. I get frustrated. It dawned on me yesterday, last night, that in all likelihood, God knew something I didn't. Of course. He knows what's going on. He knows where things are going. Just because we don't doesn't mean a darn thing. Things don't go the way we think they should. We think we know everything. How stupid can we be? I need to rely on God, on the Lord Jesus at all times, not just occasionally, but always. In good times, sad times, happy times, difficult times.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding,
Seek His will in all you do,
and He will direct your paths."

When I keep my focus on Jesus, I see how He provides for our needs, all our needs. There is no usefulness to be found when we carry our doubts and fears around with us.