Well maybe the title got your attention, but for me I have one question that I have for God. "Why did you create me to be me?" My conversations with the Lord includes:
Life has not been a cake walk and how, the person I am can be so frustrating. I know I learned the most from a Godly grandmother and mother and their soft ways had a profound impact upon me. So let's start about one of my frustrations Lord.
All my life you wake me up at night with strange ideas about people, things, and the way something should be done. In my younger years, I would share them and most would be passed by as "kooky". Yet as years passed someone would recall my idea and incorporate it. I did not desire the credit but will not forget a few years back how you gave me an idea for an organization in which I was involved. I presented the idea at a director's board meeting and it was not discussed or considered. Three years later the President of the organization called me and reminded me of what I had proposed and said, "Gary, you know that idea you gave us and no one thought much about it? Well, we are incorporating your idea in whole. I just wanted to call and thank you for your vision."
One I have mentioned before about our church in Florida needs a place to meet and the Lord told me to act, which you blessed in a miraculous way.
In recent years Lord, you continue to give me vision on various things, but as Lynnette has told me, "You are ahead of your time." With age, it seems that younger adults just blow off the idea and move on. I get face words but never see any actions or real considerations. Why, Lord do you give me those thoughts and directions?
I guess I will never know until I see you and Jesus face to face. Today I have a list of those ideas on my computer and I pray that someone will look at Your visions in my head and put some to use that will glorify you.
Until then, I just keep adding to Your idea file.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Friday, August 18, 2017
Coming From Behind the Mask Part 2
In Part One we identified that most all of us wear a mask to hide what we really think and to hide from the outside bombardment of people pointing fingers while demeaning an individual to the point of committing suicide.
Most people can handle their lives from behind the mask they wear. Once in a long while we have a close friend, that is not a therapist, in which the mask can come down. Mutual trust has to really be strong for a mask to come down. Students often will remove a mask for a classmate only to have some confidence revealed on FaceBook or other social media. That can be life devastating. Most teens don't even realize there is a mask and only the parents or counselor can help them deal with what is behind the mask. Teens will not think their parents understand, so the parents may have to talk from the aspect of removing their own mask. Teens may not want to listen, but need to know that you as a parent struggle with the same issues of life.
The person wearing the mask has gotten use to hiding their feelings except for at the times they are by themselves. You may wonder why Pastors and church leaders have affairs, drink excessively, or make any other poor choices. Most people in the church put the pastor on a pedestal and have unwritten expectations of their human side. Some handle it well but for many they are major Christian men and women who hide behind a mask until the pressure of life becomes too much. I know way too many pastors who have affairs and then can not really explain why. It may be because the mask got so heavy and another person was able to get behind the mask with an emotional breakdown of the pastor. Then all hell breaks loose.
I was taught in my first years in business that you NEVER reveal anything too personal about yourself to a co-worker. I saw first hand that a person who told a confidence to a co-worker was passed over by his boss when a job opportunity was available. The boss repeated the confidence that the co-worker, you told the personal item about, who DID get the job, repeated it to the boss in order to move ahead in the business world.
Today I ask you to take a moment to examine your mask. When is it present and when can you take it down? If you feel like you can never take it down or have trouble coping with the bombardment from others, seek professional help. The mask may never be destroyed, but it can become thin and more transparent.
Realize that this Blog is at a very simple level and if it strikes a nerve, I would suggest that you find a therapist who can help you deal with what is behind the mask.
Most people can handle their lives from behind the mask they wear. Once in a long while we have a close friend, that is not a therapist, in which the mask can come down. Mutual trust has to really be strong for a mask to come down. Students often will remove a mask for a classmate only to have some confidence revealed on FaceBook or other social media. That can be life devastating. Most teens don't even realize there is a mask and only the parents or counselor can help them deal with what is behind the mask. Teens will not think their parents understand, so the parents may have to talk from the aspect of removing their own mask. Teens may not want to listen, but need to know that you as a parent struggle with the same issues of life.
The person wearing the mask has gotten use to hiding their feelings except for at the times they are by themselves. You may wonder why Pastors and church leaders have affairs, drink excessively, or make any other poor choices. Most people in the church put the pastor on a pedestal and have unwritten expectations of their human side. Some handle it well but for many they are major Christian men and women who hide behind a mask until the pressure of life becomes too much. I know way too many pastors who have affairs and then can not really explain why. It may be because the mask got so heavy and another person was able to get behind the mask with an emotional breakdown of the pastor. Then all hell breaks loose.
I was taught in my first years in business that you NEVER reveal anything too personal about yourself to a co-worker. I saw first hand that a person who told a confidence to a co-worker was passed over by his boss when a job opportunity was available. The boss repeated the confidence that the co-worker, you told the personal item about, who DID get the job, repeated it to the boss in order to move ahead in the business world.
Today I ask you to take a moment to examine your mask. When is it present and when can you take it down? If you feel like you can never take it down or have trouble coping with the bombardment from others, seek professional help. The mask may never be destroyed, but it can become thin and more transparent.
Realize that this Blog is at a very simple level and if it strikes a nerve, I would suggest that you find a therapist who can help you deal with what is behind the mask.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Coming from Behind the Mask Part 1
Over the past several months, it has upset me that three girls from the same high school independently committed suicide, with their entire future ahead of them. There were so many questions as to why until you see two things. First these young ladies were bullied and second they had very poor body images even though they were beautiful young ladies. From what I read, no one knew of their internal struggles.
Today both young people and adults seem to show what they want the world to see. Social media continues to grow and it is the fastest way to develop poor body image by the bullies in our lives who want to point the finger away from their own issues. Most adults do not know all the channels of social communication by our children and young adults. Communication comes from Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, FaceBook, Wickr, Cyberdust, WhatsAPP, SlingShot, and some more Apps have an auto erase feature, once it is read, to avoid tracking. This drives the feelings and attitude of our youth and adults today.
494,169 people visited a hospital for injuries due to self-harm in 2016. 7 of 10 suicides were male. (afsp.org) Girls are not exclusive to bad body image and being bullied. Yet people are shocked when the person is active in a church and are Christian and can not handle the pressures they preceive.
At a very young age we all learn to put on a mask to avoid pain and hurt and that mask continues to develop to let the world believe that we are normal, happy, healthy, and fit the mold that society expects. This mask continues to build and is reflected each Sunday at church. I know first hand about wearing a mask.
Today we meet people and friends and when they ask, “How are you today?” Our response is always, “Fine!” They are not really interested in how people are doing, we just say the words. In my efforts to get rid of my mask, I have learned to ask as second question, “How are you, REALLY?” Most people will then break down a wall and a mask to tell you how they are really feeling. Listen to them as they attempt to get rid of the mask.
I close the first part of this Blog to connect you to a song most Christians who wear a mask might love to sing as it reflects on how they feel. Sometimes Alone I Cry
This daily struggle is internal and we need help to realize our value. Before it is too late.
Our goal is to allow people to get rid of the masks and to develop methods for the youth and adults to consider before taking their own lives.
Today both young people and adults seem to show what they want the world to see. Social media continues to grow and it is the fastest way to develop poor body image by the bullies in our lives who want to point the finger away from their own issues. Most adults do not know all the channels of social communication by our children and young adults. Communication comes from Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, FaceBook, Wickr, Cyberdust, WhatsAPP, SlingShot, and some more Apps have an auto erase feature, once it is read, to avoid tracking. This drives the feelings and attitude of our youth and adults today.
494,169 people visited a hospital for injuries due to self-harm in 2016. 7 of 10 suicides were male. (afsp.org) Girls are not exclusive to bad body image and being bullied. Yet people are shocked when the person is active in a church and are Christian and can not handle the pressures they preceive.
At a very young age we all learn to put on a mask to avoid pain and hurt and that mask continues to develop to let the world believe that we are normal, happy, healthy, and fit the mold that society expects. This mask continues to build and is reflected each Sunday at church. I know first hand about wearing a mask.
Today we meet people and friends and when they ask, “How are you today?” Our response is always, “Fine!” They are not really interested in how people are doing, we just say the words. In my efforts to get rid of my mask, I have learned to ask as second question, “How are you, REALLY?” Most people will then break down a wall and a mask to tell you how they are really feeling. Listen to them as they attempt to get rid of the mask.
I close the first part of this Blog to connect you to a song most Christians who wear a mask might love to sing as it reflects on how they feel. Sometimes Alone I Cry
This daily struggle is internal and we need help to realize our value. Before it is too late.
Our goal is to allow people to get rid of the masks and to develop methods for the youth and adults to consider before taking their own lives.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Regrets in The Last Twelve Weeks of Life
Bronnie Ware is an
Australian nurse who spent several years caring for patients in the last 12
weeks of their lives. As many of her patients approached their final days, she
would ask if they had regrets or things they would do differently.
Ware was so surprised
by the phenomenal clarity of vision people gained at the end of their lives
that she began documenting their responses. Here are the top five.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
“This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.”
“This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.”
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
“Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until
their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had
become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships
slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving
friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their
friends when they are dying.”
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
“Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.”
“Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.”
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
“This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.” Sad but the next generation may have a hard time expressing this one.
“This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.” Sad but the next generation may have a hard time expressing this one.
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not
the life others expected of me.
“This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.”
“This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.”
This list hit me like
a ton of bricks. I hope it did the
same for you.
It’s remarkable how
small things that don’t actually matter can dominate our days. They seem so
innocent at first. A few extra hours in the office won't hurt. Forgetting to call our
friends back. Bottling up our emotions. Choosing a job you don’t enjoy for
higher pay.
These small decisions,
while completely rational, slowly but surely pull us away from the things that
matter the most.
IN 2016 DO AT LEAST THESE FIVE THINGS, WHILE YOU STILL CAN BECAUSE WE ALL WILL NOT BE GIVEN 12 WEEKS TO WISH WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE!
IN 2016 DO AT LEAST THESE FIVE THINGS, WHILE YOU STILL CAN BECAUSE WE ALL WILL NOT BE GIVEN 12 WEEKS TO WISH WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE!
Taken from: www.Storylineblog.com
Friday, September 11, 2015
Don't Understand!
God has created the small hummingbird with so many unique attributes. Here are some interesting hummingbird facts and general information about hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds
are the tiniest birds in the world. Hummingbirds can flash their bright colors,
as well as hide them when needed. The bright radiant color on hummingbirds
comes from iridescent coloring like on a soap bubble or prism. A hummingbird's brain is 4.2% of its body
weight, the largest proportion in the bird kingdom.
Hummingbirds
are very smart and they can remember every flower they have been to, and how long it will take
a flower to refill. Hummingbirds can
hear better than humans. Hummingbirds
can see farther than humans. Hummingbirds can see ultraviolet light.
Hummingbirds
have little to no sense of smell. A hummingbird will use its tongue to lap up nectar from flowers and feeders. A
hummingbird's tongue is grooved like the shape of a "W". Hummingbirds
have tiny hairs on the tip of the tongue to help lap up nectar. A hummingbird's beak is generally shaped like any
other bird beak, just longer in proportion to its body. The edges of the hummingbird's top beak will
overlap the edges of the hummingbird's bottom beak. A hummingbird's bottom beak is slightly
flexible. Hummingbirds do not drink
though their beaks like a straw. They lap up nectar with their tongues.
A
hummingbird's heart beats up to 1,260 times per minute. A Hummingbird's heart
beats about 250 times per minute at rest. A hummingbird's heart is 2.5% of the
total body weight. A hummingbird will take about 250 breaths per minute while
at rest. A hummingbird's metabolism is roughly 100 times that of an elephant. Hummingbirds have very weak feet and can
barely walk. They prefer to fly. 
Hummingbirds
like to perch and spend most of their life perching. The hummingbird's body temperature is around
107 degrees Fahrenheit. Hummingbirds are
on average 8.5 centimeters long from the tip of the beak to the tip of the
tail.
Hummingbirds
like to perch and spend most of their life perching. The hummingbird's body temperature is around
107 degrees Fahrenheit. Hummingbirds are
on average 8.5 centimeters long from the tip of the beak to the tip of the
tail.
A
hummingbird can weigh anywhere between 2 and 20 grams. A penny weighs 2.5 grams. 30% of a hummingbird's weight consists of
flight muscles . Female hummingbirds are usually larger than male hummingbirds.
An average sized hummingbird will have about 940 feathers. Females find iridescent feathers attractive.
Hummingbirds
do not mate for life. Male hummingbirds
do not help raise the young. Female
hummingbirds do all the nest building.
A hummingbird baby is generally smaller than a penny. Females will lay a clutch of two eggs. Baby hummingbirds cannot fly. Baby hummingbirds will remain in a nest for three (3) weeks. Most hummingbirds die in the first year of
life. Hummingbirds have an average life
span of about 5 years but can live for more than 10 years.
A
hummingbird wings will beat about 70 times per second. Hummingbird's wings will beat up to 200 times
per second when diving. Hummingbirds are
the only birds that can fly both forward and backwards. Hummingbirds can also hover in mid-air, fly
sideways and even upside-down. A hummingbird
can fly an average of 25-35 miles per hour.
A hummingbird can dive up to 60 miles per hour. A hummingbird's wings will rotate in a full
circle. For more details go to: http://www.worldofhummingbirds.com/facts.php
So I am amazed at the detail that God had in the hummingbird, but in watching them each summer, I don't understand something. They must eat multiple times per hour to live. Yet when one dominate male or female finds the feeder, it spend enormous energy chasing away every other hummingbird. They could concerve that energy so more birds could make the migration each year but instead they will fight each other because they do not realize that the supply of food is not limited. Sharing and giving to everyone equally is not in the hummingbird's mindset.
Since God did such a marvelous job on this small creation, why did he not instill sharing food? One of the many questions, I may ask when in heaven.
Yet today so many people as adults have learned the childhood attitude of what is mine is mine and what is yours is mine. Have the hummingbirds been watching us or are we just so selfish that Satan has taken an attitude we had at a young age and developed it into adults?
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
I'm Praying for you!
With social media continuing to grow and grow, I see many people who were school friends, or acquaintances from years gone by encounter health, family, social, religious, or other issues in their lives and posts them onto FaceBook or other social media.
During those times, people will write about the issue and ask for prayer. I think this is outstanding because they recognize their limitations in solving the problem or issue and need the help from the Creator and corporate prayers.
One such incident posted on FaceBook was where the person asked for people to pray over an issue. 45 people replied, "Praying for you."
This got me to thinking. Do we now use this phrase when we don't know what else to say? Do you really take the time to go to the Lord and petition Him for comfort, healing, marriage, or any other situations? Do they take 5 to 10 seconds and toss up a prayer and then off to other things?
Have we come so far away from taking the time to talk with the Lord and concentrating on the person, their issue, and the thankfulness for Him hearing our prayers that we think if we say the words, God is the fix it and God and gets on it right away.
A long time ago, I learned that God has three answers to prayer. "Yes, I'll take care of it right away", "No, if I answer the prayer you ask, it will harm you and you will have learned nothing from it." Wait, there are some things you need more important or there are consequences from actions which I know you will learn from before I bless you."
In my life the toughest ones are No and Wait. Yet as the years past, I am so thankful that he answered No and also Wait because I can see now that I would have destroyed my life if he was just "Bruce Almighty" and said Yes to everyone.
So if you are going to post, "I'm praying for you". Do it! Take time from your day and focus on the person and situation at hand. The people you are praying for will be blessed because of your prayer and not just a "feel good" that will not last beyond the time when, the person asking for prayer, turns off the social media.
We all need to lift each other up to the Lord in prayer, but just make your words are sincere.
During those times, people will write about the issue and ask for prayer. I think this is outstanding because they recognize their limitations in solving the problem or issue and need the help from the Creator and corporate prayers.
One such incident posted on FaceBook was where the person asked for people to pray over an issue. 45 people replied, "Praying for you."
This got me to thinking. Do we now use this phrase when we don't know what else to say? Do you really take the time to go to the Lord and petition Him for comfort, healing, marriage, or any other situations? Do they take 5 to 10 seconds and toss up a prayer and then off to other things?
Have we come so far away from taking the time to talk with the Lord and concentrating on the person, their issue, and the thankfulness for Him hearing our prayers that we think if we say the words, God is the fix it and God and gets on it right away.
A long time ago, I learned that God has three answers to prayer. "Yes, I'll take care of it right away", "No, if I answer the prayer you ask, it will harm you and you will have learned nothing from it." Wait, there are some things you need more important or there are consequences from actions which I know you will learn from before I bless you."
In my life the toughest ones are No and Wait. Yet as the years past, I am so thankful that he answered No and also Wait because I can see now that I would have destroyed my life if he was just "Bruce Almighty" and said Yes to everyone.
So if you are going to post, "I'm praying for you". Do it! Take time from your day and focus on the person and situation at hand. The people you are praying for will be blessed because of your prayer and not just a "feel good" that will not last beyond the time when, the person asking for prayer, turns off the social media.
We all need to lift each other up to the Lord in prayer, but just make your words are sincere.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Listening to a Smart Man!
I find it sad today that our country is going in a backward direction.
In talking to a local grocery store owner, he told me that 83% of the purchases are from EBT cards. A local business has over 50 job openings that can not be filled. He pays from $9.00 to 13.00 per hour for sewing and can not get them filled.
Even a few of the people who work there will only work "x" amount of hours each week because it they work more or get overtime, then the government will stop their federal payments. These are smart individuals who know how to work the SYSTEM!
Pride is gone for working. People who will work locally, work for cash only. They do not want anything to show as income and impact their monthly checks from the government.
A local restaurant closed here because she could not get people who wanted to work. Her pay was $10.00 per hour to start plus tips. She got plenty of interviews, but when she called them to offer them a job, they said they were not interested but interviewed just to record it for the government that they had a job interview. Laziness has turning into an income. What is happening to our Country?
I love this devotional for parents: The scripture is from the smartest man God ever created!
Work
for It (Proverbs 10:4)
The Bible is very clear about
the difference between someone who is poor and someone who is merely lazy. Many
people have nothing because they make no effort to help themselves. This is
unacceptable. Yet, there are a lot of lazy people in our society.
This issue often becomes political when it’s actually a Biblical issue. God expects us to work with all of our skills to provide for our family. Then we are to teach our family to provide for themselves, and that should continue into future generations. To instill this value in our children and help them appreciate the difference between laziness and hard work, it’s a good idea to work together as a family to accomplish chores and other projects around the house.
Getting your children involved may slow down a task a bit or mean that something isn’t done exactly as you would have liked it. But remember, that’s okay because in the long run you are teaching them how to work. Focus on the big picture. That’s most important.
Parenting
Principle
Give a child everything, and
they will never stop taking. Teach a child to work, and they will never stop
giving.
Points
to Ponder
I have no answers but am just sad that our government wants everyone poor and controled by the government.
In talking to a local grocery store owner, he told me that 83% of the purchases are from EBT cards. A local business has over 50 job openings that can not be filled. He pays from $9.00 to 13.00 per hour for sewing and can not get them filled.
Even a few of the people who work there will only work "x" amount of hours each week because it they work more or get overtime, then the government will stop their federal payments. These are smart individuals who know how to work the SYSTEM!
Pride is gone for working. People who will work locally, work for cash only. They do not want anything to show as income and impact their monthly checks from the government.
A local restaurant closed here because she could not get people who wanted to work. Her pay was $10.00 per hour to start plus tips. She got plenty of interviews, but when she called them to offer them a job, they said they were not interested but interviewed just to record it for the government that they had a job interview. Laziness has turning into an income. What is happening to our Country?
I love this devotional for parents: The scripture is from the smartest man God ever created!
Work
for It (Proverbs 10:4)
The Bible is very clear about
the difference between someone who is poor and someone who is merely lazy. Many
people have nothing because they make no effort to help themselves. This is
unacceptable. Yet, there are a lot of lazy people in our society.This issue often becomes political when it’s actually a Biblical issue. God expects us to work with all of our skills to provide for our family. Then we are to teach our family to provide for themselves, and that should continue into future generations. To instill this value in our children and help them appreciate the difference between laziness and hard work, it’s a good idea to work together as a family to accomplish chores and other projects around the house.
Getting your children involved may slow down a task a bit or mean that something isn’t done exactly as you would have liked it. But remember, that’s okay because in the long run you are teaching them how to work. Focus on the big picture. That’s most important.
Parenting
Principle
Give a child everything, and
they will never stop taking. Teach a child to work, and they will never stop
giving.
Points
to Ponder
- How do you
define a hard worker?
- What
age-appropriate chores are your children learning?
- What is a
way that you could work together more as a family?
I have no answers but am just sad that our government wants everyone poor and controled by the government.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Happy Mother's Day to the single Dads
I know we love to celebrate special days and Mother's Day is the beginning of the summer Holiday season.
First to all the Mother's I want to wish you a Happy Mother's Day! But I also want to wish all the Fathers who have to be both Mother and Father a blessed day as well. These men should get the same appreciation that the mothers get beause they accomplish dual roles and most of our society never say a word of thanks.
Now on Father's Day I too will wish the dual role parents in wishing the single parent ladies a Blessed Day!
For now, stop and celebrate Mother's Day with the one who has been that support in the good times and the rough times.
First to all the Mother's I want to wish you a Happy Mother's Day! But I also want to wish all the Fathers who have to be both Mother and Father a blessed day as well. These men should get the same appreciation that the mothers get beause they accomplish dual roles and most of our society never say a word of thanks.
Now on Father's Day I too will wish the dual role parents in wishing the single parent ladies a Blessed Day!
For now, stop and celebrate Mother's Day with the one who has been that support in the good times and the rough times.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Why is Evil Growing?
In recent studies, I am seeing people from all around the world turning on each other, fighting in the streets, men slaughtering women and children in the name of God and then others just living life like there is no tomorrow.
So I asked the Lord, "Why are you allowing evil to grow in the world today more than ever before?" He then said, "Read my parable and understand my love." "But I fear for my children and their children?" Again, He said, Read my parable and understand my love. I will protect MY children and it is your job to turn the weeds into a harvest." "But I'm just a businessman, I said."
The Lord said, "Look around you, you encounter weeds (people who do not know me) every day. Your job on earth is to give them an opportunity to build a relationship with me. Not by a religion, but by a personal relationship that can change the world. The weeds (Evil) will continue to grow and there will come a day when the final harvest arrives, so your job is to turn weeds into a harvest."
So I asked the Lord, "Why are you allowing evil to grow in the world today more than ever before?" He then said, "Read my parable and understand my love." "But I fear for my children and their children?" Again, He said, Read my parable and understand my love. I will protect MY children and it is your job to turn the weeds into a harvest." "But I'm just a businessman, I said."
The Lord said, "Look around you, you encounter weeds (people who do not know me) every day. Your job on earth is to give them an opportunity to build a relationship with me. Not by a religion, but by a personal relationship that can change the world. The weeds (Evil) will continue to grow and there will come a day when the final harvest arrives, so your job is to turn weeds into a harvest."
The Parable of the Weeds Matthew 13: 24-30
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared."
The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
'An enemy did this,' he replied.
The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'
‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
Now is the time for all of us to demonstrate God's love and to tell of the love the Lord gives which comes in a relationship and not in fighting or other life actions. Most weeds will not listen, but you have to try with every person you encounter.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Looking Through Dirty Lens
Today I heard a pastor from Hillsong church in Australia talk about the restoration of Sistine Chapel and Michelangelo's painting of God in Creation of Adam.
Scholars who studied the painting said that God was in the shadows because it was so dark in that area of the painting. They thought that Michelangelo wanted Adam to be the highlight of the artwork.
Yet when the work began on the restoration, layers of dark soot were removed carefully only to discover that God and the entire area around God were NOT dark but in the most brilliant colors available to Michelangelo. The soot came from the candles below the painting burning at all times and the smoke from those candles had darkened the painting.
The pastor went on the say that the sad thing today is that the churches in all their religious teachings have lost the brilliance that is God. Some churches have so many rules and regulations as part of their platform that God gets into this darkened area of the church whereby the message is on the religious regulations.
God is the bright and morning star and he is to be praised, through our excitement for the relationship and not for rules and regulations that have darkened who God might be.
Never condemn those who are excited about their worship or call them any names. Instead focus on your own life and how to improve your relationship with the creator of the Universe. You will then know the brilliance that is God.
Quit looking through dirty lens and strive for that personal relationship with the Lord which is really exciting!
Scholars who studied the painting said that God was in the shadows because it was so dark in that area of the painting. They thought that Michelangelo wanted Adam to be the highlight of the artwork.
Yet when the work began on the restoration, layers of dark soot were removed carefully only to discover that God and the entire area around God were NOT dark but in the most brilliant colors available to Michelangelo. The soot came from the candles below the painting burning at all times and the smoke from those candles had darkened the painting.
The pastor went on the say that the sad thing today is that the churches in all their religious teachings have lost the brilliance that is God. Some churches have so many rules and regulations as part of their platform that God gets into this darkened area of the church whereby the message is on the religious regulations.
God is the bright and morning star and he is to be praised, through our excitement for the relationship and not for rules and regulations that have darkened who God might be.
Never condemn those who are excited about their worship or call them any names. Instead focus on your own life and how to improve your relationship with the creator of the Universe. You will then know the brilliance that is God.
Quit looking through dirty lens and strive for that personal relationship with the Lord which is really exciting!
Monday, March 2, 2015
Love Like a Dog
I believe God made dogs to let us see a little of what unconditional love can look like each day on earth. The only way that you can train a dog not to love you is to beat them, yell loudly at them, keep them in a cruel place chained down with no hope.
Yet if you take care of your dog, love them and train them, you will never have a more loyal friend.
We have four dogs and each one has it's own personality. Yet when I come home in the evening, all four are at the door with their tails wagging and thrilled to see me. Rusty, our Golden Retriever, even has a big broad smile with his greeting. Yet if I accidentally happen to step on his toes, he does not run and hides but puts his head down, then quickly rises back up with a smile and is ready for love and play. He never recalls what you did for any length of time but inside loves me at all times unconditionally.
Two of our rescues were dumped at our gate and you could tell they had been beaten because we assume their master had wanted hunting dogs and these two were afraid of loud noises. Yet they are two sweet dogs who are great watchdogs and protectors with unconditional love for us. Over the years these dogs have been the most loving dogs you'll find but I'd hate to be an intruder as they know to protect us. Yet when there is a storm, they simply want reassurance from us that everything is alright. The impact of the past easily comes flowing forward.
God loves us the same way. His love is unconditional and will never go away. Yet the hurt of our past, many times in the name of religion will turn us away from God. So God uses the attitude we see in our dogs and always smiles at us,blesses us even when we have been hurt, and has compassion waiting with open arms. He caresses us with his peaceful whisper and loving hand of mercy in every part of our lives no matter what is happening around us. He demonstrates in our hearts what our dogs show openly. Great example of unconditional love.
Take a moment and think of how your pet is like God int this way with unconditional love for you. The difference is that God loved you so much that he sent His son to have an eternal relationship with you!
Then there's Princess Rosie,our Alpha dog, but that's for another day's devotion!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Time to Get Away
Time to Get Away
No, this has nothing to do with getting out of the cold weather this week
Mark reports that “while it was still dark,” Jesus had a habit of heading to a “solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Jesus felt the need to fellowship with his heavenly Father in an undistracted setting. In like fashion, for you and me to hear where the Lord is leading us in our journey, to have the ability to commune with him without interruptions, we must get away from the “noise” of our lives, with its endless eye candy and diversions.This is easier said than done. Almost anywhere you go these days there are televisions cackling away in a room. TVs in our homes, to the multiple TV screens hanging from ceilings in restaurants, to the TV in our pockets on our cell phones, our laptops, FaceBook, text messages, our Internet mail, and with the list going on and on makes it’s difficult to escape the constant stream of entertainment and distractions. Nevertheless, we have this example of Jesus who went to a solitary place to hear from God.
Elsewhere Mark notes, “After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray” (Mark 6:46). Luke writes, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). What’s more, sometimes Jesus “spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12). Are you seeing a pattern here? He wisely leveraged quiet places to hear from God the Father and fellowship with him.
I’m not necessarily suggesting that we have to leave our homes in order to experience solitude—although retreating to the mountains, a state park or a beachside cottage would be a wonderful way to leave behind the noise of this world. In many cases that’s not always practical. But the isolation necessary to hear from God can exist wherever you are physically. How? By turning off your cell phone, television, radio and any other electronic device that might break your focus. Find your quiet spot and use it. Mine is along the Tellico River in the Cherokee National Forest.
“He Is Not Silent,” a song by Out of the Grey, summarizes our situation: “He is not silent. We are not listening.” Do you really want to experience the Lord’s leading in your career or life transition? We all experience changes every day and every week of our lives and in constant transition. Recognize that none of us will ever know what His direction is until we nurture a closer relationship with creator of the universe who is passionately in love with you.
Edited from Why Did I Lose My Job if God Loves Me?
Friday, January 30, 2015
How could God do it?
Send a person to hell? Permit sin and suffering? Allow bad things to happen? I've heard this so much recently. Part of the answer centers around God’s justice. We have chosen (and chosen, and chosen again) to rebel against this One who causes our bloodstream to operate through no effort on our part. The germs He has allowed our body to resist and deflect in the last two days could easily be enough to kill us if He had not given us—given us, for nothing!—an immune system that fights harmful attackers. The fact is, we do not deserve our next breath. Even though He continues to send rain and sun and corn on the stalk, we have thought badly of Him, or thought nothing at all of Him, treating Him like an unnecessary intrusion into our lives.
So rather than wonder why some will spend eternity in hell, we ought to wonder in grateful amazement why He chooses to rescue any of us. Have we really been good enough to earn His highest rewards? Have we been so devoted to His ideals that He should welcome us with open arms?
Though famine, war, battered wives and children’s hospital wings will always be hard to square and swallow, what we are seeing is the result of life in a fallen world, what human sin has done to our mortal condition. This is not because YOU or your past are to blame. . . we all are. The fall of mankind—the curse of sin that each of us is born with, based on the original sin of Adam—has given evil, decay and sadness a period of time to operate on Earth until they are removed eternally for God’s people at the end of days. Yet even now—even though we have brought so much on ourselves—the Bible teaches us that “in all [our] distress, he too [is] distressed” (Isaiah 63:9). Though we struggle mightily, He is carrying us through. He loves us that much. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).
This is an excerpt taken from:
The Game Plan for Life Bible, NIV: Notes by Joe Gibbs
Monday, October 27, 2014
Pursuit - Works Both Ways
A few weeks ago I saw a sermon on women and heard that men and women are different. Duh! OK I agree fully that there are so many differences beyond the physical, mental, and emotional part of God's creations.
The point made in the sermon in the differences was that women have the "desire to be pursued". There were several illustrations given about Satan, Samson, and David being the pursuer as a man.
That has stuck with me because I disagree that this only applies to women. Women do have the desire to be pursued but men relish the concept of being desired and pursued. Women have the desire to build a relationship and men many times have the desire to fill a missing need in their lives. No it is not all sex but more of a desire to be appreciated.
Years ago I knew of men in my office who were excited to have a women in the office pay attention to them to talk, have lunch, or converse about a topic. The goal was not sex but to fill a gap they felt missing at home. Only the more they talked, the man would reveal his issues with his spouse and the woman would see an opportunity to build that relationship need and then rescue the man with comfort. Sex seemed to be a way to try and enhance that new relationship.
These "Office Affairs" are big drivers in marital issues because, instead of working on the relationship at home, even before they start, they run to a lawyer.
To every man reading this, do pursue your wife in weekly dating (one on one), setting time to be alone, and to remember to pursue her like you did when you were first dating.
To every woman reading this, pursue him, not with complaints, failures, and chores, but also plan a date, a vacation, or clothing just for him to see. It will be a great way for him to feel pursued.
Pursuit works both ways in a relationship, so put on your thinking cap and start pursuing each other tonight. You will reap bigger rewards and strengthen your relationship. Just remember this is not an event but a daily journey.
Now
GO PURSUE!
The point made in the sermon in the differences was that women have the "desire to be pursued". There were several illustrations given about Satan, Samson, and David being the pursuer as a man.
That has stuck with me because I disagree that this only applies to women. Women do have the desire to be pursued but men relish the concept of being desired and pursued. Women have the desire to build a relationship and men many times have the desire to fill a missing need in their lives. No it is not all sex but more of a desire to be appreciated.
Years ago I knew of men in my office who were excited to have a women in the office pay attention to them to talk, have lunch, or converse about a topic. The goal was not sex but to fill a gap they felt missing at home. Only the more they talked, the man would reveal his issues with his spouse and the woman would see an opportunity to build that relationship need and then rescue the man with comfort. Sex seemed to be a way to try and enhance that new relationship.
These "Office Affairs" are big drivers in marital issues because, instead of working on the relationship at home, even before they start, they run to a lawyer.
To every man reading this, do pursue your wife in weekly dating (one on one), setting time to be alone, and to remember to pursue her like you did when you were first dating.
To every woman reading this, pursue him, not with complaints, failures, and chores, but also plan a date, a vacation, or clothing just for him to see. It will be a great way for him to feel pursued.
Pursuit works both ways in a relationship, so put on your thinking cap and start pursuing each other tonight. You will reap bigger rewards and strengthen your relationship. Just remember this is not an event but a daily journey.
Now
GO PURSUE!
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