Category: peace

The ROCK

A reminder:

– – “Would you rather live your life as if there was a God and die to find out there isn’t, or live your life as if there isn’t and die to find out there is?” – – unknown author – –

No matter what is going on in my life, Jesus has to be my Rock, or I will fall apart. It’s hard to embrace this statement during the hard times, but embrace it we must.

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord…” – – Joshua 24:15b

God, I pray for direction and discernment in all aspects of my life. Amen!

Promises, Promises

Our lives are full of broken promises. When I turned 5, I was supposed to get a pony for my birthday…. in my mind, at least! Instead, my Dad accepted the pastorate in a small town miles away and we had to move away from our little farm. How dare he! I’m very proud of my Dad for doing this, because he had to stand up to hisparent’s very strong objections. I didn’t get my pony; I got a father who had courage and conviction and a strong faith. People continued to disappoint me as I grew up. My first boyfriend went away to college and ended our relationship. At my college, my first roommates lied and snubbed me – I was naive enough to believe that they were going to welcome me and we would be friends. Not a promise, per se, but definitely an expectation. I broke, have broken, more than my share of promises. A marriage vow is a promise, and I went into my first marriage having received the promise of a faithful husband who would care for me, protect me, and stand by me.

With those promises all broken, it broke me, for many, many years.

Look at Cain and Abel, Noah, Enoch, Abraham and Sarah. (Read Hebrews 11 for the background). Issac, Jacob, Esau…. Job. The list continues, through the entire Bible.

“All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. ….. It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command. How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.” – Hebrews 11:13‭, ‬23‭-‬23‭, ‬32
(http://bible.com/116/heb.11.13-32.NLT)

God has promised that anyone who believes on the LORD Jesus Christ will be saved from eternal damnation and the fires of hell. Why should we believe that God will honor His Promises? The next time it rains, look for the rainbow. God created the rainbow as a sign to signify His promise to Noah that the world would never again be completely flooded, and it hasn’t been. God promised the prophets of old that He would send the Messiah to bear our sins, doing away with the need for a blood sacrifice. He sent Jesus, His Son – His SON – as the Messiah to die for the sins of the world, and to conquer death forever.

When I finally got sick and tired of being sick and tired, I accepted that I couldn’t fix me. I had to let Jesus and the Holy Spirit into my heart to begin the healing process. I’m not “fixed” by any measure, but I am getting better. In this world, I accept that life will continue to be a struggle, BUT I know, through faith, that whatever happens here, I will spend eternity with Jesus and many loved ones.

It’s HARD to keep our faith during struggles with broken promises. Broken marriages, lies and cheating, test our faith. Bosses and friends who lie and backstab, betrayal from all sides… these things are so difficult to see past when they are happening. All I can tell you to keep faith is to look UP, not down and certainly not around, and place your trust in God. We will be hurt in the life. We will be lied to and cheated on and betrayed by other people. We will lie and cheat and betray people at some point; it’s inevitable as humans. (Thanks, Adam and Eve!) The LORD will never let you down. He doesn’t lie or cheat or betray us – those honors go to the enemy, Satan.

Be thankful for the little things. Do you have food to eat? Toilet paper? Plenty of things to be thankful for if you just look. Pray. Pray often, praising God for our blessings (remember, LITTLE things count!) Pray, Praise, Thanksgiving.

Victory

“O Victory in Jesus, my Savior, FOREVER….”

“But you belong to GOD, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” 1 John 4:4
(http://bible.com/116/1jn.4.4.NLT)

Yes, VICTORY. Floods and famines, drought and earthquake, fire, mudslides, none of these disasters can separate us from our LORD.

“And I am convinced that NOTHING can ever separate us from God’s Love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the Love of GOD that is revealed in Christ Jesus our LORD.” Romans 8:38‭-‬39 (http://bible.com/116/rom.8.38-39.NLT)

We need this reminder, sometimes.

Irony

I am enjoying what may be the most pleasant morning we’ve seen in central Oklahoma for this entire summer…. while the state to our south is enduring the remainder of the worst hurricane to hit the U.S. in at least 12 years. In fact, I don’t remember an August quite like this one for its weather. So far, it’s the 3rd wettest August on record – and we have a chance for more rain before it is over. It has been the coolest in 20 years, and last year, 2016, was the hottest August on record, EVER, for the entire earth. Climate change! Oh no! Call Al Gore and the climate police! Call PETA and the ACLU and all the “Save the world” campaigns. (Sorry, couldn’t resist a little poke.)

Seriously. Look at the history of the earth. It began from a formless void, and was fashioned by the Creator into a living entity (NOT sentient; LIVING) to support life as He created it. Over the millenia, the earth has changed in a myriad of ways. First, God created the creatures of the sea, then the land, and finally man to watch over and protect it all. From the tiniest organism and the most minute cell structure, to the largest creatures, He created it all, and called it good. Read Genesis 1-2 for a full account. It’s quite beautiful. God created the creatures we call dinosaurs, and He created dragons. You have to realize that all myths are based on fact.

The problem with the earth, and all of the climate changes across the eons, are ultimately our responsibility. Starting with being thrown out of the Garden, we have been on a destructive bent ever since. Because of bad choices made by humans, the enemy of everything good, Satan, has been released to create havoc on and in the earth. Through his fury and desire to take everything good and turn it into evil, not only have humans suffered, but all of the plants and all the creatures suffered; even the earth itself is being brutalized by the enemy. Is it our fault the earth has gone through ice ages and worldwide drought? Is it our fault that the entire earth was covered in water, drowning anyone and anything that was not on Noah’s ark? Are hurricanes and tornados and floods and drought our fault?

Ultimately, yes. It does all rest on our shoulders, and the world is a heavy burden to carry. (Theme song of “The Twilight Zone” plays….)

“And to the man [Adam] He said, “Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” ” Genesis 3:17‭-‬19 (http://bible.com/116/gen.3.17-19.NLT)

Sounds all gloom and doom, doesn’t it? Fortunately for us, and for ALL of creation, this is all temporary. The phrophet Isaiah foretold it: “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.” Isaiah 65:17 (http://bible.com/116/isa.65.17.NLT)

John, the Apostle of Jesus Christ, also foretells us: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.” Revelation 21:1 (http://bible.com/116/rev.21.1.NLT)

We have a responsibility to take care of, and manage well, this pile of dirt and rock and water that we live on. We carry that responsibility for every part of this world, plant, animal, and human. I’m not an advocate for the extremists who scream that we shouldn’t eat animals or use ridiculous schemes to prevent us from using the earth’s resources. We are here to manage and maintain. As any true conservationist will tell you, animal flocks and herds have to be managed, and that entails culling to maintain and do balance. God gave us the earth and did and drill that is within it to oversee. Since we gave the job of overseer to the enemy, we, and all of creation, are suffering. That’s irony. We gave the job that God gave us to the worst thing possible, the one being whose existence is the opposite of God.

The first step to save the world is to submit ourselves to our Lord Jesus Christ. Only then can we began to see how to truly care for the beautiful people and creatures, and the earth itself. Ready for real climate change? Look to the Savior. Start with prayer and thankfulness for the incredibly diverse world He has given us. Love God, love His creation.

Let My People Go

“The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth. They are all murderers, setting traps even for their own brothers. Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil! Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice. Even the best of them is like a brier; the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns. But … Judgment Day is coming swiftly now. Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion. ….. As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for GOD to save me, and my GOD will certainly hear me.” Micah 7:2‭-‬4‭, ‬7 (http://bible.com/116/mic.7.2-7.NLT)

Wow. Even though this was written thousands of years ago, it sounds like Micah is addressing the world as we know it today, politics as usual. A bit scary? I pray that you find this passage mind-numbing scary! The rich and famous rule, whether we like it or not. With enough money, we can get away with just about anything, from lies to murder. And no, this is not directed at President Trump. It is directed to everyone who uses and abuses their wealth and positions to put themselves above the law of the land. Not just politicians, but anyone who thinks they are somehow exempt from the rules. Even those people who may not be wealthy but think they can do as they please, regardless of what it does to anyone else. Selfishness, narcissism, superiority; they are just as much a sin as murder.

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the Truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to The Truth [i.e. Jesus Christ], so we will be confident when we stand before GOD. Even if we feel guilty, GOD is greater than our feelings, and He knows EVERYTHING.” 1 John 3:18‭-‬20 (http://bible.com/116/1jn.3.18-20.NLT)

I believe there are some godly people left on earth, unlike in Micah’s time. I believe, because I have experienced mercy from some of these people. They embody God’s command to LOVE. “And this is His Commandment: We must believe in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” 1 John 3:23 (http://bible.com/116/1jn.3.23.NLT)

As Christians, it is our responsibility to to act as Christians. That means loving others as Christ loves us; showing the world what it means to be forgiven of all the garbage. It means telling them about Jesus, and above all, living in Jesus. Anyone can be forgiven if they will just ask, because Jesus doesn’t turn away anyone who seeks Him and Truth. He gives us Forgiveness.

WHY Does She Harp On Love??

Why, indeed. Maybe it’s because I struggle to understand the kind of love Jesus preached. Could be because I see so little of it in the world. Mostly, it’s because of Jesus.

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. ….. Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬7‭, ‬13 (http://bible.com/116/1co.13.4-13.NLT)

Man. If we could just absorb those 5 verses into our heads and our hearts! Imagine what life would be like if everyone on earth embraced this….. Imagine if just those professing to be Christian were to live it! This world would be a completely different place. Think about it. In practical terms: no cursing or gesturing when a driver swerves or cuts us off or stops without warning. No rudeness to people who don’t dress as nice as we do, or maybe they smell bad, or are offensive in other ways to us. Waiting in line without grumbling or being impatient. No more lawsuits (sorry, lawyers, but we wouldn’t need you!).

Smiles, nods of acknowledgment from everyone we come in contact with. Hearing “Thank you” and “You’re welcome.” Finding a positive comments for each person we speak to. Wow. Can you imagine how much more productive we would be?

It does take a whole lot of effort, people. In fact, just a smile can make a huge positive impact on someone who is having a bad day, and a “hello” or “good morning” can literally change your day, both yours AND the person it is directed to. In my last position, we had a VP who took the time to walk the floor when she was in the office, and take time to speak to every person there. She had tremendous demands on her time, and yet made sure to give us her attention, even for the seconds it too to say good morning to each individual. It always improved my day, and I am convinced it enhanced my productivity. On the other hand, my immediate supervisor began skipping me when she would say hello to her team. She would stop and speak to the people all around me, but when I would speak to her, she made it very clear in her expressions that I was an imposition and a nuisance. My performance suffered greatly when that happened.

The bottom line? Pay attention to yourself. Make an effort to smile and be pleasant, even if you aren’t having a great day. Smiling can do wonders for your outlook, and it makes you look better, too! Love because Jesus taught us to. We don’t have to like a person or their behavior to love them. Make the effort to learn these verses and apply them. You may never realize it, but your smile could be just the thing to turn a life that is upside down, right side up. Love, even when we don’t like.

Contentment

Something we search for our entire lives, and many never find, is so simple: contentment. Not happiness, although many mistake the two for being the same. I know that I searched without success for that elusive “happiness” for years. Oh, there are moments of pure joy, and events that give us a momentarily taste of happiness, but it always fades. As it does, we are faced with a choice. Can we hold on to the contentment and be satisfied with it, or do we immediately go on the search for another jolt of “happiness,” akin to those adrenaline junkies we see going to extremes for that momentary, transient feeling? Addicts, especially, are at risk. Searching for the next high…. and it can come from alcohol, illegal drugs and prescription drugs, sex or food… even something as innocuous as shopping. It takes more and more to reach that fleeting feeling, until it spirals out of control for so many. Yet we continue.

My conclusion, at least for me, is to simplify. Simplify my desires. Sure, it would be fun to have a huge house were all of my family and friends could gather together, but the truth is that I would be content in a little cottage with a vegetable garden for a backyard (with a tiny pool, of course!) and flowers filling the front; close to people I care about. All that’s a pipe dream, because it would be entirely too small for my partner, and I care too much to abandon him. My other dream is be to have a bigger place, where my mother could come to live with me. Just dreams at this point in my life. The point is that I can spend my time searching and dreaming of these things, and make myself miserable because they aren’t possible, or I can open my eyes to what I have and choose to be content.

Honestly, at times I validate from contentment to disillusionment. By now in my life, according to some standards, my house should be paid off or close to being paid off, and I should be retired with a decent retirement. Neither are even close to being true, except that I am unemployed, though not by choice. Because of circumstances, I could choose to be bitter and discontented, but what would that do, other than make me and those around me miserable? Contentment is definitely a choice, one that I don’t always choose. Sometimes I want that fleeting happiness so badly that I succeed in making myself feel wretched, and where is the benefit in that? It can be a tremendous effort, at times, to choose contentment over the disgruntled, angry, depressed feelings the enemy wants us to be.

We can be as Joshua and Timothy say: “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (http://bible.com/116/jos.1.9.NLT)

“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.” And we can also make this choice: “But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.” 1 Timothy 6:6‭-‬9 (http://bible.com/116/1ti.6.6-9.NLT)

It is through the Grace of our LORD Jesus Christ that we are able to choose, and find, contentment. Working to support yourself and your family is not wrong, in fact, it is what we are supposed to do. It’s that search, that longing, for more and more, bigger and better, that can destroy our contentment, and even our lives. Think about it. Where do you find yourself? My prayer is that you find contentment with Christ.

Wise Guys

The world is full of people who like to expound on how wise they are. Are they really wise? There is a tremendous difference between wisdom and intelligence, and common sense.

“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 (http://bible.com/116/jas.3.13.NLT)

I have had the privilege of knowing some truly wise people and some exceptionally intelligent people. While it is possible to be both, I find it rare to find a person who embodies both. It’s sad, really. One of my favorite songs, and groups, is “O God Forgive Us” by For King and Country. Wise or intelligent, or barely able to make sense, we all need Jesus, we need to live for Him, and we ALL need to be forgiven! Don’t let your intelligence, or your worldly wisdom, get in the way of that. “You will certainly carry out God’s purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John.” C.S. Lewis, @CSLewisDaily

I truly believe that God gave us one job when we became Christians. Never stop praying for others. Never. It doesn’t take any particular wisdom or intelligence to pray, and it is something we can do no matter where we are, what we are doing, or who we are with. Just talking with God, our Savior, answer sharing concerns and struggles and thanks, and fears. He doesn’t promise intellectual wisdom, or prosperity. He promises to give us our daily needs, as long as we seek His wisdom. It’s a journey, and the destination is an eternity with Him.

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His Will and to give you SPIRITUAL wisdom and understanding. Colossians 1:9 (http://bible.com/116/col.1.9.NLT)

Words

“People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our LORD and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of GOD. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” – James 3:7‭-‬10 (http://bible.com/116/jas.3.7-10.NLT)

I can attest to the pain words can cause. There have been times when a physical slap would have been preferable to the deep wounds caused by someone’s words. Both hurt, but my body heals more easily than my heart. We use words to lift up, and we use words to tear down. When one of my bosses would say “well done,” hearing the praise always stimulated my productivity. On the other hand, when all I heard was criticism, my productivity would suffer even more. Even a “hello” or “good morning” goes a long way in cultivating a positive attitude, which in turn goes to better performance. It’s not just for bosses, either. Does your day go a little better whenever you are greeted with a smile or a kind word? What about your spouse, your friends, your children? Can you see the difference in them when they hear good words, positive words, over negative?

“But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.” – James 3:14 (http://bible.com/116/jas.3.14.NLT)

Before you jump up and say you aren’t jealous, and you aren’t selfish…. Attitude check! Personally, I work on not being jealous and selfish, and at times, it really is work. It was pointed out to me a couple of days ago that I am selfish. I don’t like it, but it is a correct assessment. I am selfish, and that is difficult to admit. I can certainly make excuses. I’d say I’ve worked hard to get what I have. The reality, the TRUTH, is that what I have isn’t mine. It ALL belongs the God, and I should be more willing to share and to give Him credit instead of me. Oh, I’m grateful that God has seen fit to bless me so abundantly, and I know I am exceptionally blessed with family and friends and partner who love me despite my flaws.

Our tongues are worse than a sword at times. We can tear someone so far down that they may take years to recover. Words hurt, but words can also heal. Consider these words from Paul:

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, …. in defending and confirming the Truth of the Good News.” – Philippians 1:3‭-‬4‭,‬7 (http://bible.com/116/php.1.3-7.NLT)

Give thanks for those around you, whether they lift you up or try to tear you down with their words. Return their words with love and joy, and lift them up in with good words.