Listening to the buzz from the upcoming NH primary I realize I have an opinion that deserves merit. Two things, the rich forgot you can't screw the 99% and get away with it because things turn to shit, and, you can't run a country where you allow companies to sell stuff here and not require the jobs for those products to be here or imported products are taxed equal to the cost of unemployment for the displaced workers here. I'm not talking McJobs either. That's where people get started when building a life and we need to let those who are willing to do that level of work do it. Reminds me of some movie about a LA governor or something. Anyway, the election is coming and you can see that people realize what's wrong, all I'm trying to say is why we have the problem. I don't necessarily think our world wide presence as a government is bad either. We've spent a whole bunch of money in the middle east the last two decades, hope it's worth it. Glad to hear our forces freed captive Iranian sailors from pirates somewhere down Somalia way. Praise God.
The 99% movement is raising the awareness that something's wrong it's up to each of us to attempt find candidates that understand what's not working and admit it to the American people and vow take on whatever corporate handlers and give up the insider trading interest and do the same as the president of the United States of America and put their money in a blind trust for the duration of their office. This is the allure for the corrupt and the American people need to put a stop to this and force our representation to play with a fair hand. If they're as good as they say they are then while their in office they'll build the economy and capability American businesses so when they get out of office they can grow a business and get rich the American way, by making something out of yourself, not by withholding what your voters deserve. This is America, we the people can change the way our government works and we need to start by making office holders honest and accountable.
Note on Moromonism, or whatever. I guess I think of it the same way as I do other religions that think after Jesus said, "It is finished." some angel or whatever needed to come and fix it. In my book, if the Son of God, Jesus Christ, couldn't do it then we're all in trouble. It's not that I don't think they won't go to heaven or something like that. That's between their Maker and them, I'm not one to judge. I'm just saying, everytime man comes up with something it's more complicated than the last thing they thought of. Interesting that humans think art is such a high form, since mankind spends a whole lot of time figuring out something new. So, like my church reminds me, there are two things you want to understand. They are: 1) God loves you; 2) He wants to be part of your life. The variations on that have produced a whole bunch of religions by people that thought helping God explain Himself was a good idea. Nothing wrong with it, if you approach it as more of a dumbing down of what God thinks, but hey, I explain rocket science to children all the time. But, you can't keep repeating the same level of knowledge some other guy came up with. At some point you need to look inside and realize that God is in you, if you believe. And if the Spirit of the Son Of God, Jesus Christ, my Lord, dwells in you then, as Jesus said in the book of John, "... after I'm gone I will send the Spirit, and He will be with you forever and teach you all things".
I pray you look inward and invite Him in, that He may shine His light into your heart that you may be as a city on a hill.
God's blessing.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Be careful lest you fall
Well, I recently came to the understanding of true depth of my ability to put myself outside of God's will through arrogance in assuming that I knew where I stood. I now submit to the mercy of our Lord, knowing that this too is for His glory.
I speak of my understanding the condition of my divorced state. Second wife. While I definitely say "yes and amen" to not divorcing for some very important biblical reasons, I still divorced my second wife. It was my idea and nothing would stop me from it. Though, in the process I had this false sense that, if God permitted, God could intervene in our lives and perhaps restore that marriage. There is biblical direction on this as being in God's will.
The problem for me is that I had never read the passage in 1 Cor 7:10 correctly. It is written that the woman may divorce and either remain single or remarry her former husband. Yes, amen. The next line is the crux of the matter. It give husbands absolutely no permission to do any of that. And women want to complain that they don't believe they should submit to their husbands, blah, blah, blah... Yeah, don't believe God, that by submitting to the one that is told to be as Christ over them. The one that is supposed to love, intercede, die even. And women can rely on the promise that God says that is what the husband is supposed to be and do. Don't like the way he is? Then pray and submit to God, standing on what the bible says. There's even hints for the woman that can guide her so that she walks in a manner that can enable God to work in the man's life. Want to know what they are? If so, then be careful you may find yourself where I find myself now, realizing that I was presuming on God's grace by doing what I thought the bible said. If not, then be even more careful, for pride and haughtiness are dangerous weapons that can be used against us and do not honor the Lord.
I think men actually have the greater charge in the matter. I'm only acknowledging what's in the bible. And, now that I see what it actually says I'm afraid. Not that God isn't still for me and by me and with me and through me. But, by relying on my false knowledge, I have been trusting in a grace that does not exist for my life. Yes, His grace is still available and I live in it and by it every day. Unmovable, unchangeable, eternal grace, from the Father God Almighty, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice that He made.
But now I see that I have not been on a sustainable path of growth in grace, and submit to the Lord, that He might show His great mercy and rule and lead my life, so that he may redeem all things, finally unto Himself. To the realization that what He has planned for me may be indeed very different than I thought before.
Beware of false teachers, and in my case, especially the one reading this. Only by knowing His word, particularly ones that address our specific circumstances, can we know the will of God that we may walk pleasing to Him in all things.
There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. His blood has cleansed us from all our sin and iniquity. Now that I have a clearer picture of His will, as it was for my former life, and more importantly, for my life now and into the future, I give thanks to God, that by the grace and peace we have through the Lord Jesus Christ, His is my rock and fortress, and strong deliverer, and He can manifest His glory as the Lord of my life as I have turned to repent so that I may be cleansed. He is faithful and just.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Repentance in America
I read what I felt was a sincere thought on the state of our country and the need for repentance. I agree that America has fallen away from her original founding fathers vision of the U.S. as a Godly nation.
Repentance only hope for nation
Personally I feel we may need more than repentance and would hope that believers and followers of Jesus Christ would ask the Lord to cause His Holy Spirit to move within His people that they would repent and ask God to send His Holy Spirit to raise up those that would proclaim His word and allow God's hand to move and instill a revival within this nation.
Pardon the secular tone, but, God knows we need it if this nation is going to remain great. And by God's grace we can: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Repentance only hope for nation
Personally I feel we may need more than repentance and would hope that believers and followers of Jesus Christ would ask the Lord to cause His Holy Spirit to move within His people that they would repent and ask God to send His Holy Spirit to raise up those that would proclaim His word and allow God's hand to move and instill a revival within this nation.
Pardon the secular tone, but, God knows we need it if this nation is going to remain great. And by God's grace we can: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
God and America
I came across a webpage from Revival Fire about our founding fathers and some of the history of our country that reenforces we were meant to be "One Nation, Under God" USA Foundations
The passage that caught my eye was the full quote of Patrick Henry's "give me liberty or give me death"
Patrick Henry, who is called the firebrand of the American Revolution, is still remembered for his words, "Give me liberty or give me death." But in current textbooks the context of these words is deleted. Here is what he said: "An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."
Will we stand in the gap for this country and remind God of His past work here and ask Him to send revival to our nation and return us to holiness before Him? May we all be so inclined.
The passage that caught my eye was the full quote of Patrick Henry's "give me liberty or give me death"
Patrick Henry, who is called the firebrand of the American Revolution, is still remembered for his words, "Give me liberty or give me death." But in current textbooks the context of these words is deleted. Here is what he said: "An appeal to arms and the God of hosts is all that is left us. But we shall not fight our battle alone. There is a just God that presides over the destinies of nations. The battle sir, is not of the strong alone. Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."
Will we stand in the gap for this country and remind God of His past work here and ask Him to send revival to our nation and return us to holiness before Him? May we all be so inclined.
Spiritual Growth series by Dennis Cook, St. Louis Spirituality Examiner
He isn't finish with the series yet (he's at 7, last count), I don't think, but I came across
And I like his style: believe the bible and do what it says. Practical.
He is doing a series on Spiritual Growth that I am enjoying. Check it out:
Dennis Cook
St. Louis Spirituality ExaminerAnd I like his style: believe the bible and do what it says. Practical.
He is doing a series on Spiritual Growth that I am enjoying. Check it out:
Stages of spiritual growth; part 1
Good morning St. Louis!Hope you all had a great weekend! Today we begin our analysis of the stages of spiritual growth. Research has shown us that there could be 3,4,5,6,7,8, all the way up to 42 stages of spiritual growth. ...
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The process of sanctification
Christian Sanctification - Indicative but no Imperative?
An interesting focus that I find we must study the word to learn the truths of God, that we are acceptable in Him and called to live acceptable to Him. Like a child, at first grace is the only thing in our lives and then we grow into maturity and the Fruit of the Spirit shows as we submit to His teaching us.
One of the recent challenges that I received was from a pastor at a church where my mother and I attend. At the close of his message the pastor made the comment in passing, 'if you want more of God recognize that He wants more of you', and then he likened it to a spouse in that the age old saw about how obvious is it that we should be attentive to our partner but then when it comes to God we treat Him like a parent. That's flawed. We're the bride, think about that. God the Father loves us but we're betrothed to the Lord Jesus Christ who will one day return to take His bride into eternity to live with Him forever and ever.
An interesting focus that I find we must study the word to learn the truths of God, that we are acceptable in Him and called to live acceptable to Him. Like a child, at first grace is the only thing in our lives and then we grow into maturity and the Fruit of the Spirit shows as we submit to His teaching us.
One of the recent challenges that I received was from a pastor at a church where my mother and I attend. At the close of his message the pastor made the comment in passing, 'if you want more of God recognize that He wants more of you', and then he likened it to a spouse in that the age old saw about how obvious is it that we should be attentive to our partner but then when it comes to God we treat Him like a parent. That's flawed. We're the bride, think about that. God the Father loves us but we're betrothed to the Lord Jesus Christ who will one day return to take His bride into eternity to live with Him forever and ever.
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