"Prayers for Bobby"

Tuesday night, Jan. 27, I watched the last hour of a Lifetime special, "Prayers for Bobby." It is based on a true story in which a Christian family struggles to come to grips with the death of a son and brother who was gay and had committed suicide.

"Is suicide a sin? Is being homosexual the unpardonable sin? Is the Bible valid? Is it my fault? He was always different, even at birth. These were among the questions and comments presented during the movie.

In the movie, the mother visits the pastor of a gay church. She talks about Old Testament laws. He says the Bible is not valid in today's society. It was written yesterday, it was written by mere men. Never do I hear about the cleansing blood of Jesus, who died for the sins of all.

Some of the comments I read on online forums purported the word "homosexual" was not even used during Biblical times. Homosexual - the idea that same word must have been used in Biblical times to mean anything today is preposterous. A homosexual is one who has a sexual relationship with another of the same sex. And it is in the Bible - read 1 Corinthians 6:9. God's laws are just as valid today as they were long ago.

Men nor women are born to be intimate with their own kind. God created man from the dust of the ground. He created woman from man's rib to be his mate.

"And the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.' "And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called woman; Because she was taken out of man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." (Genesis 2: 18, 21-25)

The book of Leviticus details God's laws and instructions and offerings. Chapters 18 and 20 deal specifically with sexual relationships.

Leviticus 18:4 says, "You shall observe my judgments and keep my ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God." God's people were to obey, live by His standards for them, not the practices of other peoples.

"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination." (Leviticus 18:22)

"If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them." (Leviticus 20: 13)

"For whoever commits any of these abominations, the persons who commit them shall be cut off from among their people." (Leviticus 18:29) For the complete list, read Chapter 18. "Cut off" in Biblical time meant put to death.

The standards remained. Then and now, those committing these abominations are "cut off" - separated from their loved ones. They were put to death then; but with Jesus' birth, death, burial and resurrection, came the opportunity for new life.

The standards - God's standards. God's laws are meant for His children, His followers. But to disobey even one of His commands, made the person guilty of all.

Through Jesus Christ, His blood, His death on the cross so we many all live, God's law was fulfilled. Jesus took ALL of our sin upon Himself. He died for YOU. He died for ME. The laws of the Old Testament were valid, are valid, but the punishment is no longer. Jesus became the punishment for us.

When we continue to sin, it is our personal choice. It is a conscious choice we make because of our own understanding.

It is not God's desire, not His will for us to be separated from Him. When we rebel against Him, His laws, His standards for us, we have made ourselves more important than God. When we remain steadfast in our (sinning) ways, God removes Himself from us. He abandons us.

"Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth f God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting: being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful, who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but approve of those who practice them." (Romans 1: 24-32)

"But in accordance with your hardness and your unrepentant heart you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who 'will render to each one according to his deeds.' " (Romans 2: 5-6)

When you accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and then at some point afterward you go back to your sinning ways, IF you were truly saved, you do not lose your salvation. BUT, you do not also gain any rewards in Heaven.

Jesus laid the foundation "and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. ... each one's work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he had built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:10, 13-15)

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived.
Neither fornicators,
Nor idolaters,
Nor adulterers,
Nor homosexuals,
Nor sodomites,
Nor thieves,
Nor covetous,
Nor drunkards,
No revilers,
Nor extortioners
will inherit the Kingdom of God." (1 Corinthians 6: 9)

The words fornicators, homosexuals and sodomites are described in other terms in different versions of the Bible. The King James refers to homosexuals as effeminate and sodomites as abusers of themselves with mankind. The New International refers to fornicators as sexually immoral, homosexuals as male prostitutes and sodomites as homosexual offenders.

"... But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot {or any unrighteous act}? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For 'the two,' He says, 'shall become one flesh.' But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. ... he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." (1 Corinthians 6: 10-16)

The unpardonable sin is blaspheming God, never believing, never accepting that Jesus Christ is the son of God, that HE died for you.

To read more about "Prayers for Bobby":

• http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/movies/prayers-bobby
  
• http://www.oasisjournals.com/Issues/9512/fea0795-prayers.html
  
• http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/01/24/2009-01-24_prayers_for_bobby_story_is_too_simplisti.html
  
• http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/22/DDA415DO2H.DTL
  
• http://www.collegenet.com/elect/app/app?service=external/Forum&sp=18126
  
• http://forums.wpitam.com/m_4140622/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#4143254

God loves you. It is the sin that is hated.

The day before yesterday ...

The day before Yesterday ...

The
adrenalin
rush
The
excitement
The
nervousness ...
For Nothing
All for nothing,
to
no avail.
It didn't
happen.

What
a
BUMMER.
Definitely.

Questions.
Thousands
upon
thousands
of
questions
remain
Pounding
in
my
head.

Searching.
Why Lord?
You knew.
Why
didn't I?
Sometimes
it seems
it takes
a lifetime
and
then
we still
have
no
answers.

Sleep.
I want
to sleep --
past the pain
past the turmoil
past the regrets.
Sleep
is
all
I want.

Perseverance ...
testing ...
stay near ...
abiding ...
To learn
Through it all.

I wish
the
struggles
would end.
Just end.

God knows
what
it is
I don't want.
He knows
what
I do want
too.

And
He knows
what is
the
ultimate
best
for me.

What do You want me to do Lord?

I can only imagine.

No.
That I probably know.
Abide in Me,
He says.
Stay beside me,
He says.
Right here
with Me.
Don't falter behind
Don't go on ahead
Walk with Me,
and I,
He says,
will be
with you always.

I will show you
The way
I want you to go,
He says.

Follow Me. Just follow Me.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." -- John 15: 7

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." -- John 15:16

"... without Me you can do nothing." -- John 15: 5

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." -- John 16:33

To persevere

"... We also glory in tribulations (sufferings), knowing that tribulation produces perseverance (endurance); and perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5: 3-4

We are to rejoice in all of our sufferings, for the agony and pain that may come, Because Jesus laid down His life for us.

It seems so far fetched does it not? How can that be?

God is God. He can do anything, everything. None of us would be here if it were not for Him. God implanted His seed within the Virgin Mary and when it was time, God's son, Jesus, was born.

The whole reason for Jesus - his birth and his death - is to bring salvation to mankind.

And why? What is salvation that it is so darn important?

The word by itself as a verb or noun can mean freedom from what binds or restricts, to liberate, to rescue. God's plan, His original plan, was for man and woman to live in complete harmony with Him for all of eternity.

But that didn't happen. Satan, through the serpent, entered the picture. Eve sinned, Adam sinned. The world was no longer that harmonious place God had planned. Sim was rampant. Sin was commonplace.

Enter Jesus. His time on earth was short. There were joyous and happy moments but also much sorrow and agonizing pain as He goes about His Father's business. His plan, God's plan, is to bring harmony back to its rightful place. To do that, we, individually, must see a need to be free from where we are, from what we are. We must see a need to be free from the sin that enslaves us.

Salvation - God's gift to mankind, is found in JESUS. Through Him, only Him can we have a relationship that brings about perfect harmony.

It is unfortunate at times, that because of freewill - an individual's own personal choice, our lives become and remain stagnant.

Do you not understand? Understanding comes with maturity (not age), Bible study, meditation. New truths ... always there, but new, to me. Reading Romans 5: 12-19, I see more clearly.

Sin entered the world through one man, Adam, and as a result he and all future descendants could only beget sinners. That means you and I are sinners because of Adam's sin. The penalty of sin is death. Not a literal death, a physical death, but a spiritual death. We are separated from God, the God who created us, who is Our Father in the truest sense. The separation meant judgment, condemnation.

The Ten Commandments of God came about during the time of Moses. But those laws were not enough to regain what was lost. They were to be observed / obeyed to bring about understanding and wisdom, to remind us of God's provisions and love, of who is The Holy One.

Sin remains. But Jesus came. God's son. He came from God. He returned to God. He was born, he lived, he died, he was buried, and he rose again. He lives. He is alive now. Not in the physical sense, but spiritually. For it is spiritually that we are separated.

Jesus came to bring New Life to the world. Through His death, He took upon himself all the sins of the world - past, present and future - mine, yours. He took them all to gain for us that perfect harmony with God.

But it is not enough.

It is enough, yet there is that matter with free choice. You have the choice to accept that Jesus died in your place, for your sins. You have the choice to ask for forgiveness. You have the choice to believe. If your choice is to ignore the gift freely offered, you will continue to be separated from God. And when you physically die, your soul will not be part of God's kingdom in heaven. Choices must be made while you are physically alive.

I accepted Jesus' gift of salvation in 1982 and the walk, the journey with Him began. The journey will continue until God calls me home. Then I will see Jesus, face to face.

To learn more about how you can become born again and accept Jesus as your personal Savior: click here

God alone

So easy to fall away from where you should be, where you know you should be. Even fellow Christians can bring you down if they themselves are caught up in the overwhelming flood of fear that is running rampant.

If we remember God's truths, if we stay tuned to Him alone I believe we can stay above all of the tension and unsureness that exists in the workplace. I strive to stay focused on God. God allows tests to come in to our lives. The tests are to teach us some new truth about Him, and about ourselves. To come through the test, to succeed, we must act solely on faith, trusting that what God says, God will do. He will provide.

When we stop believing and trusting that God will provide, and I'm not speaking generally here, but very specifically provide for us - when we stop believing/trusting that, we have removed God from His throne in the center of our being, our heart, we have removed Him from the leadership position, we have pushed Him aside and put ourselves in the control seat.

We grow concerned with the immenseness of the situation. We don't want to be the "guinea pig" of the business world. We don't want to start over. We don't want to have to take a reduction in pay. We don't want to bid for jobs that a fellow co-worker and friend may also bid for. We want unity. We want success. But at what price?

I must leave God where He is. I must not ever presume I know more than He does and that whatever I do it is the best for me. I never know that. Only God knows what is best for me. He has brought me far. My relationship with Jesus grows with each passing moment. I don't ever want to be the cause of a rift in our relationship. I want it to grow and grow and grow, continually.

"For He himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " - Hebrews
13:5a

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -- John 14:27

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." -- John 15: 4-5

When I listen to those around me, all the negativity, the mind game of "what if, what now, what will I do?" becomes of top importance. God tells us not to go there, but to stay focused on today, to take one day at a time.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." -- James 4:8a

Help me Lord to stay true to you, to now allow the pressures of today's world to cause me to lose sight of you. Help me Lord to seek you out for every event, every circumstance. Help me not to rely on me, but on You in me. Amen.

Baldwin organ

This afternoon seemed to be as good a time as any to check out my other E-mail accounts and see if anything noteworthy was present. I came across the following E-mail from a fellow Iowan looking for a good home for a Baldwin organ. I find it interesting how people find their way to my Window To Christian Ministries resource site for whatever reason. Sometimes I have wondered if it serves any useful good, but God did instruct me to start it... hence, that in itself, makes it useful.

If you are interested in this particular organ, please reply to Harold Cross in Des Moines at HaroldCross4@mchsi.com Thanks from both of us.

We have what I believe to be a Model 45-HP Baldwin organ. We inherited it from my wife's grandmother for sentimental purposes more so than playing purposes. There are no musicians in our family so, in essence, it hasn't been played for 15 years. Prior to that, I'm not sure. It is in good shape (a few scratches) and does work other than a few keys are static-ey.

Sentimentality is losing out to practicality. We thought it would be a nice addition to a church in need, but we’ve had little luck in finding any takers. I ran across your Windows To Christian Ministries in Iowa site as I was doing more research today. So, I thought I would write just to ask if you knew of any organization, church, or individual that might have an interest in acquiring our organ. And by “acquiring,” depending on its use, most likely donated in exchange for someone’s time/effort in taking it off our hands.

If you think this may be of interest to someone and/or an organization that you know, please pass this along to them and have them reply to me.

Creativity and the rise of optimism

This afternoon I was perusing various stories/topics I subscribe to on Google Reader. A story posted on Publish2 Newsgroup caught my eye. I thought it so interesting, I would share it with you. "Creativity and the rise of optimism" by Paul Bennett, managing partner, Europe and chief creative officer of IDEO, was published on the C&binet blog Dec. 15, 2008.

"I have this crazy theory that when we die, heaven looks like YouTube.

By which I mean that heaven is made up of lots and lots of our collective dreams and hopes and memories, deeply personal ones, a multitude of tiny stories floating on a bright white background. Made by the people that are starring in them, with one collective goal. To be seen. And to be heard and to listen to each other. To share.

Creativity, in its purest form, is also about sharing. It is vast, expansive. It is generative and regenerative, personal, emotive, and above all, optimistic. The majority of people putting themselves out there on YouTube and the like are not looking for the one thing that many business people think (or perhaps hope) they are looking for, which is money. They are looking for something much more powerful - to contribute.

I’m also going to say this: I am so bored with cynicism. Designers (and I mean that in the loosest possible sense, not just people like me who went to college to learn design) are fundamentally optimistic creatures, always looking to turn something over, to examine it from another angle, to get excited by making something new, something real, something personal, something positive. Design today is not about the lone genius in the atelier either; it is highly collaborative, a team sport. In tough times, which no one would argue we are in right now, designing our way out requires two fundamental things – the collective sense of optimism that we can, and the need to do it together.

Bringing the “C” and the “B” of c&binet together, the question we need to ask ourselves today is this: what can business learn from this kind of creativity? I have the sense that many companies are approaching this backwards, saying to themselves: “How do we make our slice of the pie bigger?“ or the usual: “How do we protect ourselves from people stealing our stuff?“ when actually much better questions to ask are: “How do we enable people to contribute?“ and “How do we make the pie bigger for everyone?“

One thing that the YouTubes and Facebooks of the world are showing us is that people want to collect together under whatever banner that they can, share ideas and dreams, and above all, help. What business needs to do is to give them the tools to create and the forums to share. Putting something out there and not knowing what you’re going to get back is the new way forward.

Take Google for example – they keep on giving stuff away for free (mapping, healthcare, services, mail, who knows what next) when they could definitely charge heaps for it, but their generosity pays back in spades when people adapt, share and ultimately pay for their product through other means. Not having an expectation of an exchange engenders one happening, or put more simply, doing good begets doing good. The emotional payback is huge, and their bank balance isn’t bad either.

So here’s my call to action, and the reason why I joined this whole discussion in the first place. I dare you all out there to do the thing that seems most difficult to do right now. Not to panic, tighten, restrain or, worse, look for the magic silver bullet that is going to make you loads of money and solve all your problems in one fell swoop. But to allow collective wisdom to prevail, give something away, and see what you get in return. Assume you do not have to be the sole person answering your problem. Ask everyone, see what you get back. They want to help, to create, to contribute. Make the pie bigger, and your slice will follow.

And above all, be optimistic. I am."

Time

There is a time for every purpose,
every event,
every desire,
every delight,
every pleasure
under heaven.

When is the time

Is my time here or coming

Or has it gone by

Have I missed it
and not known

Or is it still coming

Are the hopes
and dreams,
plans
and aspirations
still
an open window
of opportunity?

Will I be given
the chance
I so desire

Or
will it be
nipped in the bud?
Denied...

I can only pray
the opportunity
the chance
for me
still exists ...

is not fleeting.
will gain momentum
and be
the right time
for me
now.

My prayer today

Dear Lord,
So many turmoils twirling about. I can feel them churning; they take over my mind and I become obsessed with wondering what and how I could have done things differently. If I should have done something another way. I strive to stay connected to you, yet I am disjointed, fearful of outcomes.

There are many fearful. Not just me. Much anxiety is apparent everywhere and fun and relaxation has almost become the dream we desire.

I feel I am being drawn away from you. I don't want to be. Help me Lord to abide with you. I am unable to remember all of your truths, all of your promises all the time under my own single-engine power. I need you always, nearby, reminding me of who you are and who I am in you.

Guard my thoughts Lord, my speech. Bring me peace Lord.

I am so weary ... as are so many others. Help me to continue on, to endure all that is before me. To resist when necessary, to not give in, to never give up. ... unless it be your will. Rejuvenate me Lord. Bring me rest and peace.

In your name I make these petitions. Amen.

Riddles ... ?

Riddles -

What is?

You think you know

You are so smart

What do you know?

Jesus says in John 7:28-29, "You (both) know Me, and you know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know. But I know Him, for I am from Him, and He sent Me."

What does it say?

What do you think it says?

You know Jesus came from Nazareth.
You know Jesus is the son of a carpenter.

That is what you remember from ages past.

Not what is true

Not what is real.

Only what you have heard

Only what you think you know.

Jesus is the son of God.

Oh no! that can't be.

Jesus is the Messiah.

No, No, No!

Jesus is the son of Joseph.
A mere man

Nothing more.

How wrong you are.
How very wrong.

Jesus is I AM.
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega.
Jesus Is.

Are we
like the
tree

Are we
like the
winter
snow
and
frigid air

Are we
clueless

Are we
without
direction?

Or
do we
have
Jesus

Is He

Are we
one
of
His
branches

Are you?

Temptation

"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

My greatest temptation I find hard to overcome is the foods I put in my mouth. This year marks my 5th anniversary -- shedding 115 pounds and for the most part maintaining. But from February 2007 to December 2008 I gained 9-1/2 pounds - due to eating too much sweets. I want to rid myself of that extra weight, lose more if possible, not continue to pack it in and on.

You would think the regiment I followed in the early days would have stayed with me, but somewhere along the line, old influences crept in and I allowed them to remain and on frequent occasions, overtake my preferred state.

The regiment I followed consisted of: more protein, less carbs (especially those not so good for me), more veggies, more fruit, less fat, less sweets. Small quantities. Eating several times a day. More liquids - water, tea. Not drinking with meals, but only before or after and then at least 1/2-hour in between.

Some of that I still follow; its the part I don't follow that causes havoc for me.

~~~~~
God will not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can handle and He will show me a way to escape from it.
~~~~~

Obviously, I haven't listened or seen. Satan has shown me there is nothing wrong with my desires. If I want them I should have them because they taste good. I have given in to my desires.

This would not be God's chosen desire for me. I have not listened to His word, obeyed His urgings.

I like honey ... in my tea, on toast, sometimes in cereal. Proverbs 25:27 tells us "it is not good to eat much honey." And its true. Too much honey brings on a tummy ache.

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Where is my self-control?

Galatians 5:25 says, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

The fruits of the spirit ... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

I am a continual work in progress; sometimes I stop by the wayside, sometimes I become distracted, but always I am His.

Hope

One day at a time

We express concern about the weather forecast ... for tonight, for tomorrow, for Saturday, but Jesus says in Matthew 6: 34: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

We are to Prepare
To Plan
To Pray
To Proceed
and To Trust God to Provide

Not just practical things, but our feelings as well - the emotions that churn within us because of thoughts that go through our mind. Thoughts like ... well, I'm not going to go there. We all have them, revolving around money, housing, transportation, bills, taxes, clothing, illness, hospitalization, disease, death, schooling, employment, food, etc., etc. Our thoughts can run rampant causing us to become caught up in every "what if" that comes our way.

If we are to be obedient to the Lord's command to not worry about tomorrow then we must stay tuned, focused squarely on Jesus.

PREPARE. How? Spend time daily with the Lord, reading His word, meditating on what He is saying to us, how it applies to us.

PLAN. Long-range and short-range. Break huge projects into day-size pieces. Make lists. Planning can help prevent us from becoming overwhelmed with the hugeness of a given task.

PRAY. Give God everything ... yourself, things in your life, people in your life.

Elizabeth "Liz" George, author of "Loving God with All Your Mind" (the Bible book study I am currently in), says Giving God everything means giving Him myself, my things and the people I care about as well as the physical, practical and emotional concerns of my life.

Then it is His to do with as He likes. George then gives God her plan for the day. Giving the plan to God makes that His as well to do with as He likes. His plan for you may not be the same plan you have. If His plan is what is preferred over your own, He will give us alternative directions for us to follow.

PROCEED. Whatever the plan -- we make our plan, our schedule of things we want or need to accomplish that day; we pray about it; we give it to the Lord; then we proceed with it, unless the Lord tells us differently.

In proceeding, we need to recognize that not every intervention is from the Lord. Satan, our own selfish desires sometimes so overpower us that we determine we're doing things our way and no other. When this happens, we need to command Satan to leave us. In Matthew 16:23, Jesus tells us, "Get behind Me Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

TRUST GOD TO PROVIDE.

Do not worry about tomorrow.
There is enough in today.
I have to get through today.
How can I
if I'm constantly thinking about tomorrow?
I can prepare and
I can plan for tomorrow,
pray for tomorrow,
but today is where I am.

Today.
Where are you today? How will you function today? Are you relying on God's wisdom and strength or on your own power?

We need to keep our emotions in check, not allow thoughts and feelings to overtake our day. It is not easy, but when / as we proceed in faith and obedience, as we keep our focus on today, as we expect to see God at work in our life along the way ... God provides for us. Whatever the challenge, the task, the trial, the crisis, the interruption, God provides for our needs. Every single one. Today and tomorrow. One day at a time.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." - James 4: 8a

Whatever may come

"Do not fret ... Trust in the Lord ... Commit your way to the Lord ... Rest in the Lord ... Do not fret." -- Psalm 37: 1a, 3a, 5a, 7a, 8b

Whatever may come, do not become anxious and fret. Give your concerns, fears to the Lord. Trust that He will do as He says and provide all your needs as you need them. Do as the Lord instructs. Be obedient to His teaching in all ways and always. Commit. Then rest, wait patiently, strive for patience that the Lord will give you the desires of your heart according to His will. Remain free from fear. Stay true to God's word. Moment by moment.

Scripture to think on: "The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet." -- Nahum 1: 3 (New Living translation)

The book of Nahum is about Nineveh. I wonder ... can this book apply to any other time? What does verse 8 mean? - "But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness with pursue His enemies."

How smart I've become .. how dumb I am

Interesting. That's what the Bible is. Interesting. How everything comes together. Last night before Jim got home from Kansas City, I was talking to my friend Anna. About how smart I've become. Smart in that the more I study and listen to the Lord, the more I realize how dumb I am, how "stupid," how much I don't know. I knew so much when I was younger, or at least I thought I did. I know more now, yet realize how dumb I am.

"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building." -- 1 Corinthians 3: 9

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise."
-- 1 Corinthians 3: 16-18

Wherever you attend church, if you are a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, remember whose you are.

"The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile. Therefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours. Whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come - all are yours. And you are Christ's and Christ is God's." -- 1 Corinthians 3: 20a, 21-23

Give your burdens to the Lord

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you;..." -- Psalm 55:22

Cast all
my burdens
My concerns.

Cast them
lay them
give them ...

To the Lord

and He
shall,
He will
sustain
Me.
Carry me
through.
Be with me.

Such
a simple
command
it would seem.

For being
so simple
why
is it
so hard
to follow,
to
obey
?

So easy
to be
human ...
for I am.

So hard
to be
like
Christ
for
I am not ...

... only a follower
and
a long, long
way
from
being
like Him.

Cast your burdens upon ME
and I will sustain you

"My yoke is easy, My burden is light." - Matthew 11:30

"Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass." - Psalm 37: 5

"Do not fret...
Do not become incensed
Do not become angry
Do not become indignant
Do not be envious

"It only causes harm." - Psalm 37: 8b

"Do not worry about your life." - Matthew 6: 25

"Do not worry about tomorrow." - Matthew 6: 34

Your Father knows of your needs - Matthew 6:32, Luke 12:30

"Casting all your care (anxiety) upon Him, for He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5: 7

Wake up before its too late!

It amazes me how often

• One doesn't have a relationship with God
  

• One doesn't believe in God nor in His son, Jesus Christ
  

• One doesn't believe Jesus is the only way to heaven
  

• One believes they alone have all the power needed to live in this world

• Yet, when a friend or loved one dies, one still believes they will be ushered into the presence of God with open arms.
  

Wake up people. If you don't know Jesus, upfront and personal, you have no hope.

If you don't want Him in your life while you are alive, I promise you, He will not be there when you are dead.

Truth: God's goodness

This morning as I was waiting for a telephone call, I reviewed my new year's resolution:
... to see God's goodness in everything
... to remember God's truths
... and to meditate on those truths daily.

But, also
... to follow through, to be obedient to the Lord
... to always believe in Him
... to trust

To see God's goodness in everything.

God's goodness is not the same as how we humans perceive goodness.

Romans 2:4 says "the goodness of God leads to repentance"

Psalm 52:1 says "the goodness of God endures continually"

Galatians 5: 22-23 says "goodness" is a fruit of the Spirit.... along with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." -- Galatians 5: 25-26


James 1: 19-20 says "Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."


The fruits of the Spirit produce the righteousness of God ... goodness produces righteousness.


I will have to pursue this more. Read more about God's goodness, which exists in good times
and bad times, smooth sailing and rough winds, health and sickness, rewards and judgements.

Fear does not come from God

Dear Lord,
Help me, I ask, to not become terrified and frustrated with all the opposition around me, turmoils within. Anxiety abounds within me at times. It doesn't belong there. Only thoughts of You should permeate my soul. I pray you will guide me in the way to go. Help me to pray for Jim's health and safety without anxiety. Give me the wisdom to know the correct way to go for everything that comes along. At today's work meeting, help me to be at peace over the new schedule or to voice my concerns appropriately. Quarters needed for the parking meter - help me to avoid spending them on vending machine junk. Enable the one-half tank of gas in the van to remain at that level. Show me how to proceed wisely in your name and glorify you.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." -- 2 Timothy 1: 7

If I fear, which I do, it does not come from God. Satan has caused me to question concerns and let them get so out of hand. Satan does not want me to rely on a higher power than he himself. Satan wants me to question everything, be at peace about nothing, be always about SELF.

Satan is powerful. But God is more so. I profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ. To do, to be so, means I must rely only on Him, not me, not anything other.

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." -- John 14: 27

What peace does the world give?

Satan is the ruler of this world. But he is NOT my ruler, my king, and I am not of this world. I live in this world, but my heart belong to Jesus.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (evil, Satan)" -- Matthew 6: 24

When we fear, become fearful, we are giving in to Satan's rule. We must pray, seek the Lord's wisdom and then follow through. It is not God's desire for His children to be in bondage to the devil, not at any time.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." -- 1 John 4: 18

God has given us
a spirit of power,
of love
and
of a sound mind.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." -- Acts 1: 8

Tomorrow

"Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " -- Hebrews 13:5

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. And the Lord said, He is the one who goes before you, He will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." -- Deuteronomy 31: 6, 8

The Lord is with me at all times. He will not leave me. I must be strong, courageous as I go forth. Do not be afraid, do not fear what others may do or say. Do not seek what they offer, but be content with what you have.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life... what shall we eat? what shall we drink? what shall we wear? ... For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things." -- Matthew 6: 24, 25, 31, 32b


Who do you serve? God or what is of the world? We cannot serve both. We cannot have split loyalties - one is greater than the other. When we become anxious for what only may come, not what will, we do not give God the proper respect He deserves. Our loyalties are divided.

"But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, ..." -- Matthew 6: 33


"Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow ..." -- Matthew 6: 34

Prepare for tomorrow
Plan for tomorrow
Pray for tomorrow
Proceed with tomorrow
Trust God to Provide in your tomorrow.

True Love

Searching for Psalm 37:7, I found
Song of Songs
a short book
I didn't remember existing
nestled between
Ecclesiastes
and Isaiah.

True love
between
a man and a woman
married
to each other
meeting
each other's
needs.

My beloved
How beautiful
My treasure
How lovely
I search
but he is gone.
heartsick I am.

My love
is
oh so handsome
better,
more so than
any other.
None can compete

My friend

You are my beloved
and I?
am I your
perfect dove

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers
in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass." - Psalm 37:7

Happy Birthday (tomorrow) my beloved.

A new year ...

Yesterday ... Today.
Old ... New.
New Year's Eve ... New Year's Day.
2008 ... 2009.

Last Sunday in morning worship our pastor started a Bible study in Ecclesiastes. Yesterday's devotional was in Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 "Times and Seasons."

A time to reflect on all the days of this past year and resolve - make resolutions for the next.

In years past I used to resolve to lose weight. Last year I resolved to read and study the Bible more, listen to what the Lord tells me, and be obedient and follow His commandments.

This year I believe I will resolve to seek that which is true, meditate consistently on God's truths, to remember who He is, what He is, what He said He would to; to stay more focused on God, His word, and less on the world around me - less on what I read or watch on TV.

verse 1 says, "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven."

David Sper, an editor of Our Daily Bread, says:

"Just as the winter turns to spring,
Our lives have changing seasons too;
So when a gloomy forecast comes,
Remember -- God has plans for you."

Whatever the season (s) of life, attitude makes all the difference.

In 2008, I have said things out loud or even to myself that were just not totally true. And even if they were true, if it is harmful to another, nothing should ever be said where others may hear. If you build up another it is fine and good, but in so doing, you should not tear another down. It would be better to keep quiet.

It is very easy to step in and give your opinion, often unasked for. Someone complains of another and you add your own two cents. It is not right that we should act or react like this. When we do, we are being selfish, thinking whatever we are dealt in life, we will deal with it "our way."

Our way. My way. Your way. But what about God's way? If it were God's way I doubt "our way" would be so darn important.

Our life experiences can help another or perhaps hinder. It depends how we portray those experiences, what we've learned from them ourselves.

God is in control and can enable each of us, but it is us individually who must take an active part in any situation for it to be accomplished, fulfilled. We must be actively seeking God's will as well, not our own. God knows far better than we ourselves do what we need, what is coming along, what strengths we'll be needing at a future time.

Our lives are so overloaded. So much makes up our lives ... our minds, our emotions, our thoughts, when we read, watch, hear, listen, talk, imagine, dream, what we see, smell, do, bake, create, walk, run, jump, swim, bike, crawl, reach, grope, reminisce, memorize, remember, celebrate, mourn, repair, restore, renew, write, paint, frown, smile, laugh, cry. ...a time for every purpose ... a season

My resolution for 2009 is to be and do what Psalm 1: 1-3 says:

"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners, or join in with scoffers.

But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants;
day and night they think about his law.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing
fruit each season without fail. Their leaves never wither,
and in all they do, they prosper."

... to think on God's truths, to remember to stay on them, rather than on what is not true, to see God's goodness in everything and to meditate on God's truths daily, being always mindful of who and what is the great and holy I AM.

God answers ... in His time for our time.