Friday, August 10, 2012
Let's Find Some Common Ground
There's too much polarization in the world today. By which I mean that people want others who are "different" to be on the opposite side of the spectrum from them with a moat full of hate in between. This is not Biblical. Jesus wanted us to love our neighbors whether they are like us or not. And to love our ENEMIES! I feel so bad about the shooting in Oak Creek, WI a few days ago. A guy walks into a Sikh temple and started randomly shooting some peace loving, open-minded worshipers just because their men wear beards and turbans. Ignorance kills.
[Psalm 133: "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life evermore."]
Even our politicians are either so conservative or so liberal that they almost guarantee they won't work with those on the other side of the political spectrum. So who loses out? The American people! Because there's no cooperation, they can't find any middle ground. How can this be??!! The presidential candidates are both wealthy American male politicians who claim they want to "turn the country around." With that much in common, we should be able to make things happen. Feed people, house people, give people jobs and take care of the country's infrastructure.
[Matthew 12:25 "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them 'Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.' "]
The worst is when Christians can't get along because one group believes in infant baptism and another believes in adult baptism. Or any difference of doctrine or opinion. God does not want us to live like this.
[Ephesians 4:2-3 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the UNITY of the Spirit through the bond of peace."]
[Romans 15:5 "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of UNITY among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."]
Any Christians spewing hate from their hearts or from their mouths are not real Christians. People who make a public scene revealing the evil in their hearts and minds defy Christ's own words. They may have a "religion" but they don't have a relationship with God.
[2Peter 3:16 "His (meaning Paul's) letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction."]
It's time to put our faith in action and stand up to hatred, division, extremism of every sort. I'm writing this to share my sympathy with the Sikh community who lost 6 innocent people, to share my empathy with average American's who are losing ground, watching the American dream is slip out of reach while rich politicians go to Washington and get richer. I'm writing this to show support for supposed "sinners" who have been mistreated by so-called Christians for loving the "wrong" gender, or the "wrong" color or the "wrong" faith.
[1Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."]
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
To Let Go Takes Love
(Info from Life Skills International, c2004)
To let go does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off. It is the realization that I cannot control another.
To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means that the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to change or blame another. It is to make the most of myself.
To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own future.
To let go is not to be protective. It is to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
to let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
To let go is not to criticize and regulate others, but to strive to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past, but grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more.
To let go does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't do it for someone else.
To let go is not to cut myself off. It is the realization that I cannot control another.
To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means that the outcome is not in my hands.
To let go is not to change or blame another. It is to make the most of myself.
To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own future.
To let go is not to be protective. It is to permit another to face reality.
To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
to let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
To let go is not to criticize and regulate others, but to strive to become what I dream I can be.
To let go is not to regret the past, but grow and live for the future.
To let go is to fear less and love more.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Revelation
My mind is racing at 200mph, my spirit is energized. The Lord has given me a revelation thru my dreams, thru RHEMA- (the spoken word of God that is given specifically to me for a specific purpose.) For days I've been falling into deep, confusing sleep. Unable to pull out of my dreams which leave me literally spinning, unable to walk, struggling to sort out reality vs dream when I awake. Meanwhile, my waking hours are filled with messages from the Bible, the tv, my
life and health that were preparing me to receive the Word. My current minor illnesses are all related to lack of self-control. I've been dwelling on three issues lately: 1) I'm having lung pain from smoking too much (or at all). 2) A tv show guest was talking about keys to eating healthy food: limit restaurant visits, limit fake ingredients. It struck me deeply because of my feeling so yucky, and having difficulty with digestion. 3) The Bible readings keep talking to me about self-control, about the Christian woman being pure, her beauty coming from the inside, from the Holy Spirit shining thru her. The faith programs on tv talked about claiming victory and about getting fed up with the way things are going and being ready to make changes thru the power of God.
The revelation: The term "self-control" needed a new, more accurate definition for me. We are taught that as a mother, anything that starts with "self" is "bad". We moms focus more on "others." Another factor that made me resist anything regarding "self" is that as a baby Christian "self" equals the fleshly, the worldly (the things we're to avoid). But what I've discovered thru the grace of God is that "self-control" isn't "self" at all! It's releasing control to God.It's about letting God guide and instruct me in how to live, even in the aspects that seem minute to me. The Lord knows that they matter. What seems irrelevant to the baby Christian is RELEVANT to God. Like temple building (living a healthy lifestyle). This is an exercise in faith. I've been praying to be more Christ-like and this is what's required.
I'm writing to you to share this,so you can be my accountability partners. I'm preparing to claim victory in faith, and not just hope for victory. I am trusting in God, pushing all doubt out of my mind. I ask for your prayers in this endeavor, in moving from being a baby Christian to one more solid, experienced, deep in my faith.
Your sister in Christ, LouAnn
life and health that were preparing me to receive the Word. My current minor illnesses are all related to lack of self-control. I've been dwelling on three issues lately: 1) I'm having lung pain from smoking too much (or at all). 2) A tv show guest was talking about keys to eating healthy food: limit restaurant visits, limit fake ingredients. It struck me deeply because of my feeling so yucky, and having difficulty with digestion. 3) The Bible readings keep talking to me about self-control, about the Christian woman being pure, her beauty coming from the inside, from the Holy Spirit shining thru her. The faith programs on tv talked about claiming victory and about getting fed up with the way things are going and being ready to make changes thru the power of God.
The revelation: The term "self-control" needed a new, more accurate definition for me. We are taught that as a mother, anything that starts with "self" is "bad". We moms focus more on "others." Another factor that made me resist anything regarding "self" is that as a baby Christian "self" equals the fleshly, the worldly (the things we're to avoid). But what I've discovered thru the grace of God is that "self-control" isn't "self" at all! It's releasing control to God.It's about letting God guide and instruct me in how to live, even in the aspects that seem minute to me. The Lord knows that they matter. What seems irrelevant to the baby Christian is RELEVANT to God. Like temple building (living a healthy lifestyle). This is an exercise in faith. I've been praying to be more Christ-like and this is what's required.
I'm writing to you to share this,so you can be my accountability partners. I'm preparing to claim victory in faith, and not just hope for victory. I am trusting in God, pushing all doubt out of my mind. I ask for your prayers in this endeavor, in moving from being a baby Christian to one more solid, experienced, deep in my faith.
Your sister in Christ, LouAnn
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Is your faith burning like a flame or smoldering like an ember?
Notes and further study on a sermon preached by Dr. Charles Stanley and viewed on 12/28/08...
General Caution: Your flame can die out!
LKP Caution: you may think you're learning how to help your friend with his troubles, but it actually needs to be applied to your own life first!! (see Matthew 7:3-5)
Am I as zealous for God as I once was? When living a life of purity and devotion, the answer should always be "yes" or "even more so" (but who of us can truly say that?) My spirit life, (my flame) gets fanned up once in a while when God reveals something to me. But then, during the in-between times, it doesn't shine so brightly. During the times of trouble it barely smolders.
But God doesn't change. Ever! So what did change? Me! God's flame is a beacon shining in the darkness to all who seek it. My flame, not so much. What makes me (us) lose that initial burning desire for faith and a connection to God? Gradual deception by Satan. What are the symptoms?
1) You neglect the Word of God- the Word is to faith what wood is to a fire.
2) You still pray, but you don't feel like God is listening.
3) Your church attendance is sporadic.(When you feel like it)
4) Your giving is occasional. (However much you feel like giving).
5) You begin to compromise your beliefs.
6) You become defensive about the way you're living.
7) Your joy and peace are replaced with worry, fear.
8) You begin to doubt.
9) You cease to pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
(Oh, poor me!) No!! You don't need sympathy or pity now! You need encouragement, discipline, perseverance, commitment. Think about this: the warmth of a fire in a fireplace attracts people to it, but a fireplace full of cold ashes attracts no one. If your fire has gone out, that not only affects you but the people around you, too. God wants you to glow!
Steps toward correction (re-connection)- Rekindle the Fire!
Stir it up, stand up and do what you need to do despite your ailments. (I know you have ailments, God didn't create the body to carry around all that stress and tension. The ailments will lighten up once your faith deepens).
RECOGNIZE what's happening in your heart, identify what caused you to feel disconnected in the first place.
RECALL how you used to feel when you were on fire for God.
REPENT- "God, something happened and I'm not who I used to be, I haven't done right." You must sincerely repent of your misplaced priorities and trust in His forgiveness.
REFOCUS your attention on God instead of thinking about your difficulties and yourself.
READ the Word of God daily and ask God to speak to your heart. Watch for RHEMA moments.
RELY on the Holy Spirit to give you the power you need.
What's next? Be consistent. Be persistent. Get to know God intimately. Get involved in the lives of others.
Scripture to back up these words:
See 2 Timothy (the whole thing), it was written for the purpose of encouraging, stoking the fire of Timothy. To "fan into flame the gift of God." The book uses terms like "keep trying" "do your best" "endure hardship" and "be on your guard".
See James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
See Revelation 2, verses 4-5 regarding the "lukewarmness" of the church in Ephesus: "You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent,and do the things you did at first."
General Caution: Your flame can die out!
LKP Caution: you may think you're learning how to help your friend with his troubles, but it actually needs to be applied to your own life first!! (see Matthew 7:3-5)
Am I as zealous for God as I once was? When living a life of purity and devotion, the answer should always be "yes" or "even more so" (but who of us can truly say that?) My spirit life, (my flame) gets fanned up once in a while when God reveals something to me. But then, during the in-between times, it doesn't shine so brightly. During the times of trouble it barely smolders.
But God doesn't change. Ever! So what did change? Me! God's flame is a beacon shining in the darkness to all who seek it. My flame, not so much. What makes me (us) lose that initial burning desire for faith and a connection to God? Gradual deception by Satan. What are the symptoms?
1) You neglect the Word of God- the Word is to faith what wood is to a fire.
2) You still pray, but you don't feel like God is listening.
3) Your church attendance is sporadic.(When you feel like it)
4) Your giving is occasional. (However much you feel like giving).
5) You begin to compromise your beliefs.
6) You become defensive about the way you're living.
7) Your joy and peace are replaced with worry, fear.
8) You begin to doubt.
9) You cease to pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
(Oh, poor me!) No!! You don't need sympathy or pity now! You need encouragement, discipline, perseverance, commitment. Think about this: the warmth of a fire in a fireplace attracts people to it, but a fireplace full of cold ashes attracts no one. If your fire has gone out, that not only affects you but the people around you, too. God wants you to glow!
Steps toward correction (re-connection)- Rekindle the Fire!
Stir it up, stand up and do what you need to do despite your ailments. (I know you have ailments, God didn't create the body to carry around all that stress and tension. The ailments will lighten up once your faith deepens).
RECOGNIZE what's happening in your heart, identify what caused you to feel disconnected in the first place.
RECALL how you used to feel when you were on fire for God.
REPENT- "God, something happened and I'm not who I used to be, I haven't done right." You must sincerely repent of your misplaced priorities and trust in His forgiveness.
REFOCUS your attention on God instead of thinking about your difficulties and yourself.
READ the Word of God daily and ask God to speak to your heart. Watch for RHEMA moments.
RELY on the Holy Spirit to give you the power you need.
What's next? Be consistent. Be persistent. Get to know God intimately. Get involved in the lives of others.
Scripture to back up these words:
See 2 Timothy (the whole thing), it was written for the purpose of encouraging, stoking the fire of Timothy. To "fan into flame the gift of God." The book uses terms like "keep trying" "do your best" "endure hardship" and "be on your guard".
See James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."
See Revelation 2, verses 4-5 regarding the "lukewarmness" of the church in Ephesus: "You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent,and do the things you did at first."
Sunday, December 7, 2008
The Wasted Wish
It's time for me to discuss a revelation God hit me with several months ago. I had spent much of my life with regrets in regard to my past decisions and experiences. I actively wished my life had been different. I wished it every day. As I woke up one morning with the same wishes on my mind, a revelation came to me. That's a wasted wish! I can't change the past no matter how hard I wish. The past is gone. Stop spending your mental energy on something that can never happen! (That was only part one of the revelation...) Then I realized ALL WISHES ARE A WASTE!! If you want something to happen all you can ever do is work toward it and pray about it. I felt relieved of a giant burden. I was done wishing for anything from that point on. A major life change occurred between the time my head lifted off the pillow and the time I got my first cup of coffee. Only God could do that! Praise God!
Bible verses resounding in my mind lately...
Isaiah 43:18-19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
There's an old saying that "A burden shared is a burden halved." That may be true to some extent but what I've found out over time and trials is that "pain shared" is not "pain halved." When someone causes you tremendous pain and you, then, cause them tremendous pain, you wind up with twice as much pain, not half as much. That's a tough lesson. Love and peace come from returning kind words for harsh ones. Freedom lies in that moment when you realize you have a choice, and you let your spirit (that which is God-connected) determine your response, rather than your soul (heart/mind) or your body (the flesh) make the decision for you.
When my son was a preschooler, I started praying for patience. In my snarky sense of humor, I thought it would be amusing to demand patience immediately. I figured God would see the humor/irony in that.....um, well, God saw that despite my attempted comedy (God, give me patience and give it to me right now!) that I really was praying in my spirit for patience. Of course, the Lord works in His own time and now, 12 years later, I'm seeing the lessons learned, the lessons failed, the progress made. The Lord has blessed me with situations and relationships that have trained and developed my patience to a higher level. Things that seemed like a curse have actually been His blessing, His answer to that prayer.
Lord, I thank you for being my creator, Father, Savior, Lord, my comfort in times of trouble, my teacher of lessons (some quite difficult and painful). I see that you do answer all prayers and I praise and glorify your name because of all you have done for me. Amen
When my son was a preschooler, I started praying for patience. In my snarky sense of humor, I thought it would be amusing to demand patience immediately. I figured God would see the humor/irony in that.....um, well, God saw that despite my attempted comedy (God, give me patience and give it to me right now!) that I really was praying in my spirit for patience. Of course, the Lord works in His own time and now, 12 years later, I'm seeing the lessons learned, the lessons failed, the progress made. The Lord has blessed me with situations and relationships that have trained and developed my patience to a higher level. Things that seemed like a curse have actually been His blessing, His answer to that prayer.
Lord, I thank you for being my creator, Father, Savior, Lord, my comfort in times of trouble, my teacher of lessons (some quite difficult and painful). I see that you do answer all prayers and I praise and glorify your name because of all you have done for me. Amen
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