God, in your life or on a shelf.

You made us in your image Lord, formed out of the clay of the earth you created for us.  You breathed in us the breath of life, you gave us your breath.  You made us your children and companions and you saw that it was good and you love us.


You love us so that you gave us free will.  The only thing you said not to do our parents of long ago did.  Since then we have rebelled against you.


You gave us ten commandments to live by, to follow and obey, not because you are mean, you gave them for our protection.  When reading your commandments they do not seem that hard to follow, however we make it so.


You looked on us and had pity for we are a lost people and decided it was time to send your Son to come and show us the way and redeem us and save us from our sin.   He walked this earth in perfect truth, righteousness and love and taught us your ways.  He brought us hope and life when we thought all was gone.  He gave us his all including his life and held back nothing.   The only thing that was asked of us for this precious gift of life and hope was that we truly repent of our sins accept Christ as our Savior, be baptized and follow Him. 


Not such a difficult task these four things, however, we make it so.  We put you, God, on the side line or forget about you altogether.  We may occasionally go to a church service on Sunday or at least on Easter or Christmas and feel that we've done our weekly or yearly "duty".  What a shame!  I've actually heard people say that they've got their God fix for the week, (my, my what is that suppose to mean), and then go on their merry way, continue to do what they've always done and put God back on the shelf.


Well, folks, like it or not this is not true repentance, this is not following Jesus, this is not getting to know God.  The only way to know God on a personal and deep knowledge and build a relationship with him is to pray, honor, worship God, read his word and meditate on it daily.  Not once a week or once or twice a year, it must be done daily.  Three little thinks, not that difficult, yet we make it so.


Jesus gave us a guide for praying, he gave us the Lord's prayer as an example on how to pray, he read the word daily, and he would go off by himself to meditate on these things.  The only things God asks of us is once we repent and accept Christ as our savior is to follow His example.  He will lead the way and we will be more joyful because of it.


Praise the Lord.

The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?   Ps. 27:1

Written in Stone for a reason.

I read an article today that talks about a preacher who decided to rewrite the ten commandments.  He stated they would be easier to understand and follow the way he rewrote them.  (I personally don't find them difficult to understand the way they are)

I read his rewrite and it's more like suggestions not commands.  His working is such to me anyway that this is the way we should live and gives his 10 guidelines.  He state that the commandments are out dated and needed to be revised for modern man.  (Are you kidding me???!!!)

Gods commandments have been in place for thousands of years and now this guy comes along and has the audacity  to think he can change them to suit his needs and wants.

I think  most of us have heard the old saying: "It's not written in stone..." meaning it can be changed.   Well guess what folks the TEN COMMANDMENTS WERE written in STONE, therefor the;y can not be changed and it's not up for debate.   It is my believe they were written in stone for just that reason.

God does not change nor does his word change.  Mankind tries to manipulate Gods word to his own design and desire, take verses out of context, turn it around and have it say or mean what they want it to instead of listening to what God has to say to them.

I sincerely hope people that you don't decide to use this guys suggestions rather than follow what God said.  Remember what Jesus said in the new testament. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matt. 7:15.   One thing that bothers me is how many people agree with this guy.

Here are the links to the articles I read.  After you read the articles please leave a comment here I would love to know your thoughts about this.
Church adopts new 10 commandments.
Church adopts.
To open links in new window or tab, right click.

Thanks.

Remembering God.

Once again I've allowed myself to get preoccupied with other things instead of keeping my focus on God.  Why is it so easy to do that?

It is so easy to allow ourselves to get caught up into every day mundaneness, concerning ourselves with things we shouldn't be worrying about and just doing the same old routine day in and day out.

We get caught up in the sameness of everyday life; get up take a shower, go to work or school, maybe eat breakfast, lunch break, come home.  Change clothes, fix dinner, eat, watch t.v., play games on the computer, then go to bed.  Sleep, get up repeat.  Weekend gets here we do the same old weekend thing, sleep in, get up turn on t.v. eat a bowl of cereal, donuts or whatever and sit in front of the t.v. for hours.  If we have a yard we might do a bit of yard work, or straighten things up around the house, then pretty much nothing the rest of the day.

We might even think about God and go to church Saturday evening or Sunday morning; IF we feel like it.  Shame on us.

We've forgotten how to enjoy the life God has given to us, we've forgotten to keep God the center of our life's.  We've put God aside and remember him only when we need something.  We've forgotten the joy we had when we put God first and he was the center of our world, not put on a shelf to be used when needed, like a blender that's been sitting on a shelf never used but once in awhile.

Oh sure we may say a blessing every day over our meals, thanking Him for the food he's provided, then that's it, we forget about Him and go on our merry way.  We go play those stupid computer games with the t.v. on so we don't miss our favorite show.

It's time, well past time that we (me) stop doing that. Time to put God first back into our life's again.  Remember the joy, life and happiness that was there when God was first in our life's.  The quiet times and fellowship that was there.  The excitement and energy that was there throughout the day when we woke in the morning singing, praising, thanking and glorifying God for another wonderful day.
In so doing your presence was felt throughout the day.  Taking time to read your word to get to know you.

You have said oh Lord, draw near to me and I will draw near to you.  We also know Lord the opposite is true, if we pull away from you then you will hide your face from us.

I thank you Lord for your patience, loving kindness and your forgiveness.  Let me always put you first in my life.

Forgiveness

I really wonder sometimes, I mean really wonder why siblings will not forgive.  As for that matter why will you not forgive a friend.

You can forgive someone and renew your relationship, but sometimes, just because of the hurt the relationship cannot be renewed, at least not the way it used to be.

The only reason I bring this up is so many people out there are holding grudges against people that don't even know or even care that there are grudges or ill feelings are held against them.

We all have to get over ourselves (and we are all into ourselves, one way or another)and learn to forgive others.   If we do not forgive other nor will we be forgiven by our Father in heaven.   This is not my thought: this is what the word of God say.

We need to forgive and move on in our lives.  It doesn't mean we have to associate with these people any more, we just need to totally forgive them and accept them for who they are and let God work out the rest.

Holding grudges and holding people accountable only destroys ourselves.  The reason I say this is from experience from many years ago when I held a grudge against someone.  The person you are holding a grudge against doesn't even know that you have a grudge against them nor do they care.

When I ran into this person years later, I realized that they had no clue and I was only destroying myself.  I let go of the grudge (hatred, whatever) and moved on with my life.

I have found in my life (I'm 57 if that makes a difference)holding grudges and not forgiving others for the wrong they have done us, only hurts ourselves and not the person we are against.

Well that's my thought for today.  Comments are always welcomed.
Julia

When God doesn't answer prayer.

We all go through pain and suffering at some point in life, some more than others.  We cry out to God for help, for a miracle, for Him to do something, anything to make it go away.  We struggle and get angry even furious with God and wonder why He is not doing anything.  We pout, cry, sob sit in silence and ponder and just stare at nothing in particular, feeling empty.   Why is this happening? I don't understand!


A man on the tv the other night was talking about his dying son and his son wondered why God didn't heal him.  The dad didn't know what to tell the boy.  Later that night while tucking his son into bed he gave this explanation:  son, we are solders of God and as solders we go out into battle, some come home wounded, some come home whole and some don't come home at all.  We all fight together and want to be good solders don't we.  The boy said I'm going to be the best solder and it's ok someday Jesus will take care of it.


One day when he went into work after being up most the night tending to his son he told his secretary to cancel all appointments and he wasn't taking any calls.  He paced his office and started yelling at God and letting God know how angry and upset he was that God wasn't doing anything.  He left the office and just started driving, pounding on the steering wheel going through all the emotions that we go through when we're upset about something.


Finally after the tears dried up he felt a calm and a presence with him and heard this from God; son know that I am with you and I hurt right along with you, I too had to watch my son die, it was so agonizing that I turned the sky dark and made the day night, I couldn't watch, I had to look away.  Just know this every-time you hurt I'm right there with you, when you cry, I cry with you, I feel your pain and know what you are going through.  Understand that I cannot always intervene for if I was always to do that you would not have free will and you must be able to see Satan for who he is and all the ugliness that he brings on this earth.  You see you have a choice weather to serve me or to reject me in times of sorrow and trouble, to rely on me or turn the other way.   Know that I am with you.


After hearing this man's story, listening to what he went through and the answer he got was the answer for me also.  It was so enlightening and comforting to me I wanted to share it so you too could understand why God doesn't always heal.  He hears us and is with us and will be till the end.  Next time you are going through a difficult time remember that God is right there with you carrying you through it.  I know it doesn't feel like it at the time, but He is.


Be still and know that I am God, said the Lord.

Where

I'm not sure where this post belongs, here or in heaven's grocery store.
However here goes.

Why do I question everything?  including God.  I wonder where He is and why he doesn't help me or give me guidance.  why does my life seem to be a nightmare, why does it seem to be a dream.   Why is it a hallucination, why can't I seem to get a grip on it any more.   I really, really don't know what happened to me.

I'm lost and confused and I don't know where to go or what to do.  I have lost  my ambition, my drive, my sense of adventure.   I want it back and I don't know how to find it.

I want God back in my life and although I believe I found him over 35 yrs. ago,  I wonder.  I wonder, I wonder and I still wonder, where is He, who is He and why can't I get back in touch with Him.

I'm searching, searching, looking, questioning, praying and still I can't seem to find God nor get his help!!!!!!   Where are you God, why do I feel like you don't care.   Somewhere in my brain I know you do!   Somewhere in my brain I know you love me.

It's my heart that I'm concerned about!!!!   I don't feel you in my heart and I want to! I don't know why I don't feel you in my heart.  Why aren't you  there???

Maybe I'm just confused.  I just wish I knew what to do.  God I feel lost and confused and I know you are not the god of confusion.  I know you give a lot of verses about that but they do not seem to be helping right now.

I'm just wondering right now where are you now!!!!!!!!!!  Why can't I hear you????
I want to hear you, I want to know what to do, I want to know how to start or do or whatever?.  I need to know,  I do not like this feeling of being lost and confused and being alone. (I know God I am not alone but that's how I feel)

I'm not good at speaking things out loud and I know I should according to your word.  I guess that is something I need to work on because I know there is power in the tongue or word spoken.

I just need your help God a small merical or something, guidance, direction.  Something.  I'm not asking for a lot God, I'm just asking for direction, that's all, please give me some direction.

The Power of the Tongue.

Be careful what you speak.

Words are powerful things, they can lift you up or bring you down.  They have the power to give life or destroy.  Be careful what you say whether for good or for bad a it will come back to you.

Matthew 12:36-37  But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgement.  For by the words thou shall be justified, and by the words thou shall be condemned.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

James 3:5-8  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things,  Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles.  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind; but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

We need to be careful how we speak to others and how we speak to ourselves.  We need to learn how to lift each other up and not put down.