A Proverb a Day Devotional & Doodles has been updated! And it’s on sale right now! This is the 31 Days Devotional I wrote and published through The Thinking Tree Publishing Company after living in Ukraine on mission for nearly a year in 2016, and it’s still going strong! God’s word is timeless! If you enjoy devotionals that you can doodle as you study God’s word, with beautiful artwork by Sarah Janisse Brown, founder of The Thinking Tree Publishing Company, the devotional journal can be found on Amazon here: A Proverb A Day ~ Devotional & Doodles Journal.
A Proverb A Day ~ Devotional & Doodles Journal
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Those in deep, hurtful situations searching for a path of escape don’t think of the path they’re on as suicidal. They simply don’t want to be on this planet because the pain of their circumstances and continually seeing the reminders of the loss of their dream is too deep to bear, whether it is a person, place, or thing. Instead of reaching up and out, they dive inward. They (or maybe I should say, “We”) are unable to mentally process a life without that dream we envisioned as our future. And, trust me; I’m not saying anything here that I have not personally experienced.
For those headed down that deep, dark path, the best thing I can tell you is that if you change your perspective, you’ll change your world.
Yes, there are people who would care less if you were here or not. (There are those who would rather I disappear, especially in my own family!) But I learned years ago that to let the voices of others influence my value system is to let them control me. It also means I am not letting God have precedence in my heart. Most of the time, it’s our thoughts that need to change! Proverbs 23:7a says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Where the mind goes, the man follows.)
“The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.” -John Milton, Paradise Lost
If you listen to the voices of others, you won’t be able to hear God’s voice. A great example is the Prophet Elijah. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah prayed for God to stop the rain and bring the rain; he fought against Ahab and Jezebel, the worst of his enemies, and finally, he killed the 450 prophets of Baal. That’s a huge undertaking! After all that, in 1 Kings 19, Elijah became depressed due to sheer exhaustion. He had what we call the “fight or flight” syndrome and took off to the mountains, hiding in a cave. When God arrived to check on him, he did not speak through a blow-horn; he spoke in a still, small voice. Are you listening? Being depressed, Elijah whined to God in total defeat after all the miracles he just witnessed! Did God give him the pity party he wanted? No. Depression and defeat tell us that we are all alone, which distorts our reality. God let him know that he wasn’t the only one left. God gave Elijah a dose of reality! As a result of his pity party, God gave Elijah’s mantle to Elisha and gave Elijah the rest he sought after.
Elijah’s rest is what most people who contemplate suicide are seeking. They are crying out for an escape from the pain of the loss of their dream. But is that escape worth it? I’ve heard people say they didn’t go through with their plan for suicide because they lost their courage and didn’t have the “balls” to kill themselves. Well, sweetie, this deception is backwards! Suicide is actually the easy way out of your troubles! Oh, yes, I am fully aware of those rare cases where mental instability was involved, and I believe God gives mercy in those circumstances. But, most of the time, the root cause is a dead dream and self-centeredness. How many times do we scream, “Give me that magic fairy dust!” so we can have what WE want? God never promised us a rose garden, and the evil in this world was not His doing.
Have you thought about the fallout of suicide?
Suicide has affected almost everyone in our society today. At my age, I know several people who have attempted and/or have actually committed suicide. If we have not personally experienced the darkness of it ourselves, I think we at least know someone who has gone down that road. I’ve already written a little about it on this blog, but the subject keeps popping up its ugly head. A 10-year-old little boy committed suicide last month right here in my little town. His hashtag went viral around the world. My husband worked in tech for his funeral and said it was one of the hardest things ever for him to input all the information for the service slides, especially his pictures. I made the mistake of reading a few comments underneath one of the most viral social media posts, and naturally, some of them were horrendous. Most of the comments were accusatory toward the parents or screaming for them to sue the school. Ironically, in the comments I scrolled through, I did not see anyone blaming our society, which would have to include the commenters! Have you watched any of the kids’ cartoons lately? Yes, a 10-year-old has already been indoctrinated into a whole host of evils by our society, in spite of anything the parents did or didn’t do. (Unless people have experience in a matter or are privy to first-hand information in their situation, they just need to keep their mouths shut!) Though it’s horrific for a child to kill themselves, unfortunately, the age group with the highest rates of suicide is 45-54, and more men than women commit suicide leaving behind very hurt and confused children. It’s interesting; that is the age when most begin the empty nest years. And while there are differing circumstances, the one theme that runs through every situation is a sense of hopelessness and loss of value.
I totally understand how a person gets so wrapped up in hopelessness that they find themselves deep in despair. I’ve experienced that kind of despair more than once in my past. And of course, hindsight is 20/20, but suicide is never the answer. The outcome either way brings more trouble than the trouble you try to escape from! Most of us don’t handle loss very well. Whether it’s a financial loss, a loss due to death, or a failed close relationship, we don’t grieve properly. We never learn how to move on. I believe hopelessness originates from situations that we’ve lost control over. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lost job, a lost family member, a lost relationship, or even a lost country where persecution is rampant; we feel we have no control over whatever situation we’re in. So many people wrap themselves up in their job or their kids that when they retire or the kids leave the nest, they lose their sense of purpose and value. They can’t see their lives outside the perimeters that have been their world all these years. If the loss was due to negative circumstances, the pain of that loss runs even deeper. At the root of our persistent control is a lack of faith in God, as we tend to put more faith in ourselves and others than we do in our creator; the “I can do it myself” syndrome. But we can’t, and hopelessness sets in.
So, what about those left behind? While the suicidal person is engulfed in their own little prison, the rest of the world does indeed feel the effects of their actions. The biggest lie of the 1960s was that what you or I do does not affect anyone else. Divorce debunks that theory! But I digress. I have known counselors, teachers, and sponsors who have questioned their ability to help anyone when the very person they were supposed to be helping attempted or committed suicide. And I don’t blame them for quitting. I’ve seen good parents totally distressed at their parenting failures, and good teachers resign due to the guilt of not noticing the so-called signs and blaming themselves for not being more attentive. I also know people who try to grab attention and make the suicidal person’s problems all about themselves, but those narcissistic people are not who I’m referring to here; that’s another whole blog post. We always wonder if the suicidal person would have been saved if someone could have intervened, if only we had known their thoughts. It’s sad that our society is bent on blaming someone—the parents, the classmates, the school system, even the church. Since most people who are serious about killing themselves don’t talk about their plans, how would anyone know ahead of time? In God’s eyes, we are each responsible for our own actions, and not the actions of others. One of the policies in recovery is that the responsibility falls on the individual to reach out, not on the sponsor or counselor. But by human nature, people still blame themselves and everyone else for not seeing the invisible signs, and guilt runs rampant.
And then there’s the trust factor. After a failed attempt, it takes a long time to rebuild trust in that person to be sure they won’t try again. We underestimate just how far humans will go. All means for a repeated attempt need to be removed from the home for a while (guns, drugs, etc.). Repeats happen. Fear of another attempt is not the only trust that needs to be rebuilt. Trust in relationships needs to be repaired. People draw back from someone who doesn’t trust them enough to convey their pain. We all have those three circles (from acquaintance to friend to intimacy) that we put people in. More than ever, someone who is suicidal needs God above all else and a few trusted people in their inner circle. But when a person doesn’t reach out to a close friend or relative due to pride or embarrassment, when they withdraw inward, they end up pushing everyone into their outside circle. A parent feels their suicidal (adult) child doesn’t love or need them and sees their parenting failures magnified. A child feels rejected, unwanted, and unloved by a suicidal parent. A spouse feels like they aren’t good enough to live with. Wanting to leave this earth is saying to the spouse that they desire to leave the marriage, but death is better than divorce. A friend feels their bestie’s friendship is only one-sided. Even when those closest to the suicidal person have the utmost empathy for their situation, it is human nature for those left behind to feel rejected. After a failed attempt, those who were originally in their inner circle will naturally move themselves to the outside circle due to disintegrated trust. Healing needs to come not only to the suicidal person but also to all those who are reeling from lost relationships.
So, is suicide biblical? (This is a Christian blog, so, of course, God’s Word is my basis for everything! **Highlights in color are links to scripture.) Tell me where in scripture suicide is promoted as a viable option. I can’t find it. (Again, I’m not talking about those rare cases where mental illness is involved.) All I see is God saying to be courageous, be bold, don’t give into fear, and have faith! When we place the loss of a person or situation over God’s will for our lives, our hearts don’t belong to Him; they belong to the world. If we adhere to God’s word, Matthew 10:37-39 (among others) says if we put anything above God, we are not worthy of Him. How many of us take those scriptures literally? How can we tell if the Lord is our top priority? If the depth of pain we endure overcomes our willingness to hold fast to the calling God has on our lives, we have put that person or thing over God. We forget to ask the Lord if that person or dream was ever His plan for us in the first place. Maybe it was meant only for a time, and now we need to let it go and move on to our next adventure. Our creator knows what’s best for us and wants what’s best for us! We arrogantly believe we are the only ones who know what’s best.
Tradition says it’s disrespectful to speak ill of the dead, which means everyone goes to heaven, right? While God does look at each situation individually, most theologians (not those “woke” liberal “anything goes” theologians!) believe that those who commit suicide end up in hell. Why? Well, for a couple of reasons. One, because their desires are focused on their past and present physical circumstances and relationships, no matter how difficult they may be, instead of focusing on what is above or who will take them into eternity. Yes, even Christians battle with bouts of depression and thoughts of suicide. The battle truly is in the mind, and we have to constantly renew our mind and keep it in check. God will pull down our strongholds and bring every thought back to Christ, throwing away the lies from the pit of hell and replacing them with truth.
When we ask Jesus to forgive our sins and follow Him (when we become Christians), all our troubles do not go away! In fact, they may even get worse! Life is a constant battle. We battle everything from the alarm in the morning, to our relationships, to our finances, all the way to turning off the caffeine so we can go to sleep at night. The biggest lie anyone can tell you is that when you become a Christian, magic fairy dust will make all your problems disappear. If Satan did not want you to succeed before, he definitely does not want you to succeed when you are following the Lord, his arch enemy! Life is a battle we will never have full control over. Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” That’s a good reminder that we have no control over the future, so why worry about it? Leave your future to God and give Him your past. Though He never promised us a rose garden, He promised He would always be with us, guide us, and keep us in perfect peace! When we fall away from the Lord, we open the door for all kinds of destruction. If we have enough patience and wait for the Lord to intervene, He will always provide a way for us to get through our troubles. To follow our own desires shows our hearts are far from Him.
Side note: Since thoughts of suicide indicate a dip in mental health, anyone who is suicidal needs to step away from ministry for a time until they are healed and spiritually restored! This would include pastors, teachers, and anyone in a leadership position. That does not mean they should necessarily be restored to the same position. But please don’t stop going to church or serving! There are plenty of other places to serve besides leadership. Look at it this way: You need help getting your own oxygen mask on before you can help someone else get theirs on. It’s the same policy used for a church leader caught in adultery or theft; they step down. Don’t give up! If we follow the example of Joshua and Caleb, God will restore everything the Devil stole! Let God turn your pain into a testimony that will bring others to Christ!
The other reason most theologians believe that those who commit suicide end up in hell is that there is no chance to ask forgiveness for the premeditated murder of God’s creation, our body, what God calls His temple. Suicide is a spirit of death. Whether a 10-year-old has reached the age of accountability is debatable, and would fall under God’s grace. But if you are reading this, you are most definitely old enough to decipher right from wrong! Think of it this way; if suicide is right, why does everyone keep it a secret? We inherently know that path is not okay with God. Jumping out of the frying pan into the fire will not be the heaven you envisioned! Is eternity in hell worth the easy way out? No, sweetie, it takes balls to wake up each morning and fight through this sin-cursed world. It takes courage to have faith that God is and will be with us through our trials. The thing is, while suicide definitely does hurt others around you, it hurts you even more.
I don’t claim to know all the answers, and this blog is based on my own experience. We are not perfect, and life is not perfect, but we keep going! We don’t give up! Not only that, we forget what is behind, forget about what will never be, and we finish our race!
“But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” ~Isaiah 40:31
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” ~Isaiah 26:3
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References for scriptures used:
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ABC’s of Salvation:
That’s all there is to it! You don’t have to get cleaned up to take a bath! When you repent and accept His forgiveness, He will fill you with His Spirit and renew your mind and heart. You’ll experience His never-ending love! You’ll fall in love with Him more and more every day, and your soul will be filled with His peace!! Life is not perfect or fair; people will still be imperfect, but you’re never alone, and you know that you have a father who really loves you!
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**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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We are not going to agree with everyone simply because we are humans. We do not know everything and never will, so long as we are in our mortal bodies. Why, there was even a time when highly intelligent doctors believed a body could be healed by attaching leaches to the person! Oh, how far we’ve come! But we have a very long way to go. For anyone who insists their view is set in stone, be careful that God doesn’t pull you off your pedestal! Even I have changed over the years as I’ve grown closer to the Lord.
Our church has had a woman speak on Mother’s Day for several years. Amid much controversy that has diminished the honor of mothers, I just wanted to skip the holiday. The complaints had dwindled until last year. The beautiful lady who was to speak lost her father shortly before, so one of the pastor’s wives stepped in. In the fall, they gave her a spot to make up for her loss. And oh, the judgment flew out of the woodwork for having a woman on the platform, and not on Mother’s Day! Oh, the horrors! This year, our lead pastor (a man) will be delivering a typical Mother’s Day message titled, “Women Matter!”
I saw a post on social media about this very thing, embellishing on the controversy. Well, it was actually one of many I’ve seen over the years. The saddest comment was from a young man: “Are we going back to covered heads? How deep do you go? This is the type of stuff that makes me want to run the other direction.” Whether we agree or not, this is why Satan wins every time we publicly argue over doubtful things. Sometimes, I just want to scream, “It’s NOT a salvation issue!!” Not only does the argument cause division, it’s a bad witness for Christ. This division puts stumbling blocks in front of those who are young. (See Romans 14, especially Romans 14:1 and Romans 14:13)
We will not see civil debates or unity in the body until people stop listening to their favorite YouTube pastor, loudmouth relative, and we get into the Word ourselves to do our own research. And then we still need to go back to the Holy Spirit as the ultimate litmus test! I’ve seen people knock down ministers (which is unbiblical; see 1st Samuel 24, 1st Samuel 26, and especially, 1st Samuel 26:9) that go against their narrative, then turn around and defend their position based on preachers they insist are “sound” biblical teachers. And yet, a quick Google search will bring up horrible claims about those very “sound” biblical teachers they defend. Be very careful who you follow and/or defend! Stick to the Bible; it’s safe!
Most of the arguments to forbid women from speaking in church or teaching over a man are extracted from 1st Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1st Timothy 2:11-12. And yet, there are all kinds of examples of women prophesying and in leadership positions! Now, a woman speaking and a woman taking headship of a church are two different positions and a completely different discussion. Rather than me taking up the space and relaying all the research I’ve done the past couple of months, and if you want to take the same nerded out rabbit trail as I did, listed below are tons of articles giving historical as well as linguistic arguments that give evidence to the other side of our traditional consensus of suppressing women. I have not listed the articles that give surface conclusions about these passages, since the loudest voices have already shoved those teachings to the forefront. Most of the articles that make their way to the top of any search engine are anti-woman. Though, if you have access to the internet, it doesn’t take long to find arguments on both ends of the spectrum. What I looked for were two things: if they researched back to the original Hebrew or Greek language, and also if they were schooled in cultural history in both Jewish and Gentile societies. Two theories I found interesting are the possibility that the texts could be either an interpolation or a quotation. That’s a rabbit trail I’ll save for later!
So, for the past few months, after taking a deep dive into what the scriptures actually say, I’ve reached the conclusion that we’ve been fed a bag of dirt. The subject is fiercely admonished on both ends of the spectrum! Be open to the Holy Spirit. Be open to change if the Lord gives you His eyes. I’m not going to argue my beliefs; I’ll let you do your own research and come to your own conclusions. Let’s not be arrogant, domineering, or abrasive in our speech. But if God gives a woman a Word, woman, rise up and speak!!
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” ~Galatians 3:28
So, what do you think? Should women preach or even speak in church? How about on Mother’s Day? Oh yes, this is definitely a hot button issue! Remember, this is NOT a salvation issue! If a woman gets up to “preach” and you are stuck in the middle of the pew, just think of her as your elderly grandma who came to give you God’s grace and wisdom! Our main focus should be on salvation because time is short!
ABC’s of Salvation:
That’s all there is to it! You don’t have to get cleaned up to take a bath! When you repent and accept His forgiveness, He will fill you with His Spirit and renew your mind and heart. You’ll experience His never-ending love! You’ll fall in love with Him more and more every day, and your soul will be filled with His peace!! Life is not perfect or fair; people will still be imperfect, but you’re never alone, and you know that you have a father who really loves you!
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**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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Articles and Books I Recommend For Further Research
Articles on Women in Leadership Roles (listed alphabetically):
Articles on Translation, Interpolation or Quotation, and Grammar Errors:
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He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears. ~Proverbs 26:17
Haven’t we all butted into a conversation we were not invited to? The conversation usually goes sour, doesn’t it? We end up putting our foot into our mouth because we never have the whole story! There are always two sides! I learned a long time ago, it’s much easier to stay out of someone else’s business and not to repeat something (gossip) that I had no part of, than to have to go back and apologize all the time.
I have a relative that recently threw out some false accusations about a situation where he was not present and had never asked anyone what happened. His information came from someone whom he had just prior to that situation caught in a false accusation! Now, why would my relative believe anything that person said as gospel when he himself caught that person on a prior false accusation? Because we humans tend to be drawn to and believe the negative, especially against people we don’t like or are in competition with.
Betrayal and getting stabbed in the back hurt when the falsehood comes from an acquaintance, crushes when it comes from a friend, and destroys when it comes from a relative. Gossip destroys.
Why do people (yes, especially so-called Christians) stick their noses in other people’s poop? Why do even Christians feel the need to spread stuff around that they know will hurt others? Two reasons: 1. Pride and arrogance in thinking they are more righteous than others, and 2. Revenge, and believing they will straighten people out by taking matters into their own hands, not realizing that God will always put the gossiper in their place!
Proverbs 26 begins with verses 1-12 admonishing a fool, then verses 13-16 describe the lazy man (or woman), and verses 17-28 describe the destruction caused by gossip, which are lies (and I might add, liars go to hell). It would seem that the chapter should be separated into these three different sections. Yet, they actually do go together! We are fools when we fly far from God’s precepts, when we are lazy, and when we use our tongues to hurt others in order to build ourselves up. God’s word is genius. God’s word flows together into every area of our lives. Yes, it is possible to live right with only the Ten Commandments, but thankfully, God gave us a whole Cannon to explain to us dumb sheep how to treat others, and more importantly, to draw closer to the Lord!
Let’s live in love instead of destruction.
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ABC’s of Salvation:
That’s all there is to it! You don’t have to get cleaned up to take a bath! When you repent and accept His forgiveness, He will fill you with His Spirit and renew your mind and heart. You’ll experience His never-ending love! You’ll fall in love with Him more and more every day, and your soul will be filled with His peace!! Life is not perfect or fair; people will still be imperfect, but you’re never alone, and you know that you have a father who really loves you!
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**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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Do you ever have those times when you know God is trying to get your attention? It’s either the weirdest moment, or it’s God talking! I was reading in Psalms this morning, in the 49th chapter, and after one of the verses, a scripture in Job was referenced. So, naturally, I had to check it out, and down the rabbit hole I hopped! I didn’t stay long in Job, since I’ve read that book a dozen times. As per my daily habit, I then finished off with Proverbs 24, since, of course, today is the 24th day of the month.
So, how do I know God was speaking to me? All three passages pretty much said the same thing! Do not be afraid! Do not fret! Do not be envious! I don’t believe God is only referencing people with more money and means than me; I believe He encompasses every area of our lives. It’s so hard to trust God for our provisions, our health, and especially our relationships. But, He always comes through for me. When someone gossips, falsely accuses, and stabs me in the back, my human reaction is to “straighten everyone out” instead of waiting on the Lord for vengeance. The evil is always exposed. The problem is, I’m usually not patient enough to let God handle things in His timing.
This morning, He gave me a reminder that He WILL make all things right… in HIS time! I love that. He gives me peace. I can choose to have joy!
Do not be afraid when one becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dies he shall carry nothing away;
His glory shall not descend after him.
The rich man will lie down,
But not be gathered up;
He opens his eyes,
And he is no more.
Terrors overtake him like a flood;
A tempest steals him away in the night.
The east wind carries him away, and he is gone;
It sweeps him out of his place.
It hurls against him and does not spare;
He flees desperately from its power.
Men shall clap their hands at him,
And shall hiss him out of his place.
Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
For their heart devises violence,
And their lips talk of troublemaking.
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the wicked;
For there will be no prospect for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
“Congratulations!” I said…as my body regurgitated the sour lump in my throat. Watching people traverse the same sordid road I plummeted down so many years ago conveys to me a double-edged sword. On the one side, I truly am so very happy for them…yet on the other side, the razor-sharp blade sends my protective spirit into overdrive, silently screaming “Stop!”
But would they?
I didn’t…
From where did we come?
What purpose are we?
Where are we going?
Is heaven for me?
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Lord, help me, I pray
Escape from life’s sin
This battle is not
A fight I can win
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My spirit sees peace
Through your firmament
Your hand reaches down
To strike your judgment
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Yet, you passed right by
My broken down soul
The blood of Jesus
Paid Satan’s death toll
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My broken soul healed
No more roads to roam
Your healing has come
Your hand takes me home
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“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” ~Romans 15:13 (NLT)
Can you imagine a time when no one will jealously nitpick at every word; a time when no one will get offended over every mispronounced name; or a time when everyone will actually have to like each other?? ;)
Does anyone else believe we are in the Last Days? Logistically, since yesterday, we are one day closer to eternity! I can’t wait! That is when all things will be made right. All lies will be exposed. No one will be deceived anymore.
But…first…life here will get worse before it gets better. Jesus warned us, “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” And, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
What will be your first conversation with God? Will it be a good one, full of butterflies and lollipops? Will God tell you to get at the back of the line because you refuse to give up your hate? We will all have to give account of every condescending word, every negative thought, and every action. It is pretty scary to think that every thought we ever had will be exposed for all to see! Yikes! Believe me; we will ALL face judgment before entering those pearly gates! Those of us who are saved will sit before The Bema Seat of Christ. Yes, even Christians will have to give an account… for our rewards! And… those who reject His salvation… will be left behind. They will be reserved for the final judgment … for hell.
My heart aches for those who will endure the next seven years after God snatches us up! I’ve heard it said (and oh so true) that this life is the most hell any true Christian will have to endure, and the most heaven anyone not of Christ will ever enjoy. What really baffles me is the excuses people give for rejecting Christianity, and God! Oh, I’ve heard it all. I used to make the same excuses! “Some Christian hurt me… I can’t stand (hate) that person… I didn’t get the job, promotion, or position I wanted… my marriage sucks… my parents weren’t perfect… my body is broken down with no relief in sight…” and the list goes on! But those are all just excuses. The bottom line is that people don’t want to give up their own control. Our pride makes us believe we can do everything better than God. Sin is fun! But only for a season…
That’s why I thank God for Jesus’ sacrifice and His grace!! For anyone (even me!) who believes in Him and asks for forgiveness will meet Him in the sky… sooner than anyone can imagine!
ABC’s of Salvation:
That’s all there is to it! You don’t have to get cleaned up to take a bath! When you repent and accept His forgiveness, He will fill you with His Spirit and renew your mind and heart. You’ll experience His never-ending love! You’ll fall in love with Him more and more every day, and your soul will be filled with His peace!! Life is not perfect or fair; people will still be imperfect, but you’re never alone, and you know that you have a father who really loves you!
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**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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Do y’all remember the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1-14? It comes right after the parable of the wicked vinedressers. Jesus is portraying the Kingdom of God…Heaven! So, who are the players in this parable? The king represents God, the son represents Jesus, and the servants represent the prophets, and those who were originally invited to the wedding banquet represent the priests and preachers…you know…the religious crowd. Notice how the original people invited refused to come? They represent those who we think have it all together, the goodie-two-shoes people who live life on their own goodness, and the people who know all about God but don’t need God. They are socially accepted upright people. And who are the people on the highways? Well, that would be me! These would be the people who do NOT have it all together…you know…those of us who have a problem or two…those of us with a not-so perfect past!
When the religious crowd refused to attend the wedding feast, they rejected the authority of the King, choosing to live life in their own power. After giving them every chance to come to Him (by sending the prophets, you know, those who speak the truth even if it hurts), God then rejected those who were full of their own pride. He rejected those who touted their virtue on their own merits, those rejecting His salvation for their own desires. Then God not only invited, but searched out those who were outcast, those who were imperfect, and those who accepted His invitation simply because they loved Him! He searched out those who were not embittered by their circumstances but trusted in Him. He chose those who gave God credit for their goodness instead of themselves. Though they were not perfect, He took into the wedding feast those who humbled themselves, letting go of their vengeance, hatred, bitterness, anger, etc., finding forgiveness, changing them, and giving them a white garment of purity instead of the dirty rags from the ashes of all their mistakes.
Oh…so what about the guy at the end, the one without a wedding garment? You mean we have to dress up? No, the wedding garment represents the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice. His dying for us covered our imperfections so we could attend the wedding without the dirt from our highways! When we repent (asking forgiveness) and turn from living in sin (though we still mess up at times, we don’t stay in our sin, but keep moving toward His light), He gives us white wedding garments (a clean heart full of joy). As we go through this life, there will be those who hang out in church (surface Christians) and their love for their humanness (sensual gratification, hatred, anger, etc.) is stronger than their love for Jesus (the one who died for our sins so we could have life). All those who do not have the joy of Jesus’ forgiveness running through their veins will be cast outside… into hell… for eternity…
What will you choose? Hatred and hell …or… healing and heaven??
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
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Do you have your pastor for lunch? I think we all have, at one time or another, its human nature. I’ve seen a lot of posts lately condemning churches, mega-churches, denominations, preachers, and organizations that differ from their favorite organizations’ beliefs, using the scripture that says judgment begins with the house of God from 1st Peter 4:17. Hmmm… that verse is talking about God’s judgment, not man’s judgment!
I’m often reminded of the account of David in 1st Samuel 24, when he had the perfect opportunity to get rid of King Saul, who was seeking to annihilate David. King Saul went into the cave to relieve himself (Saul took a restroom break, if you get his drift!) (See 1st Samuel 24:4) where David and his men were hiding. David held his men back and resisted the urge to take him out, saying he would not touch God’s anointed.
Okay…did David have a good reason? Of course. Saul was in a jealous hot pursuit after David! God initially anointed Saul to be king, but he rejected God by turning to seducing spirits (1st Chronicles 10:13), leaving God to replace him. At the time of the restroom incident, God had already rejected Saul as King and anointed David, but Saul was still sitting in the position of authority. Was Saul still anointed even though he was rejected? Yes. God wasn’t through with him; David’s time had not yet come. If David had taken him out, he would have interrupted God’s plans, and those plans were specifically for David. God was ultimately the one who took out Saul, leaving David’s conscience clear! (See: 1st Samuel: chapters 8 – 31)
What’s the best way to point people to the true Gospel? Is it by condemning other denominations or pastors? No, it’s by going straight to the Bible and seeking the Word… in context! Looking at the example of King Saul, how do we know the preacher of that organization wasn’t anointed by God for His purpose? If he or she is teaching anything contrary to God’s word, our job is to make God’s Word, not our opinions, clear and pray for their eyes to be opened. We need to see what the Word says, not what it doesn’t say. The Bible really is a book of “Do’s” and “Repercussions.” If people are not seeking after the Lord, they’ll follow false doctrines (from Satan’s deception) at any church they attend, no matter how much condemnation is bellowed against that organization or preacher. God will deal with false teachers in His time. Now, the remedy for a disagreement with a fellow Christian is different from those in authority, kings, or governments. Jesus outlined that process in Matthew 18:15-20 … and for an unbeliever? We just agree to disagree. They are not bound by the same moral standards as a fellow believer. We’re all saved by God’s grace and not by trying to prove we’re better than so-and-so, or our preacher or church is better than that one. Give the Joy of Salvation instead of the criticisms of organizations you disagree with. God will deal with them. If we continually pray for them, people will see heretical teaching on their own. Eventually, everything hidden will be exposed. Our pushing drama and division will only succeed in running people off. Yes, James warned about teachers being held to a higher standard and judgment in James 3:1-12, and in the same paragraph, we are warned that we all stumble, so we have no right to badmouth those very teachers! People are attracted to Joy, not sour grapes! We don’t have much time left…let’s get rid of the hate (Matthew 6:14-15) and get back to our first love (Revelation 2:4-5)!
Oh, and this picture below? Well, I hope he doesn’t mind that I snapped it. A few weeks ago, we arrived very early on a Sunday morning to find the cleaning crew missed us the night before. Instead of complaining and barking out orders to all of us “little people” to help clean up, he showed his servant’s heart and quietly turned on the vacuum cleaner…
That’s the church I want to call family…where the pastor is a shepherd and the elders are helpers…and the people love with the Joy of the Lord and not with criticism and division! Look for the positive…not the better than so-and-so!
“A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.” ~Proverbs 12:16
ABC’s of Salvation:
That’s all there is to it! You don’t have to get cleaned up to take a bath! When you repent and accept His forgiveness, He will fill you with His Spirit and renew your mind and heart. You’ll experience His never-ending love! You’ll fall in love with Him more and more every day, and your soul will be filled with His peace!! Life is not perfect or fair; people will still be imperfect, but you’re never alone, and you know that you have a father who really loves you!
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**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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Well, it’s been a little over a month since I last posted. I’ve had soooo many things running through my head, but just couldn’t bring myself to write it all out. And then, last night, I received the results from my DNA test. Oh me, oh my… Oh my…
Let’s just say…we’re definitely ALL related!
I may write more as my little brain processes a couple of the “shockers” in my results. But, for now, just know that I am convinced more than ever that the life of Jesus gave more healing than any other…ever! To be born of a race that was considered “chosen” yet so horribly persecuted out of jealousy, and yet to still love ALL of mankind, is phenomenal and supernatural.
You know what is the most ironic? How true were the words which Jesus spoke in Mark 4:22: “For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.”
I’m so glad now, even though utterly embarrassing, that my life has not been portrayed as perfect by any means! That my sins have been “out there” and that I have a redemption story…one that shows if God can save someone like me…He can, and will, save anyone who wants Him. Just simply ask…
“My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.”
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It’s funny…until the past few years I thought my ancestors were non-existent. I had to come from somewhere, didn’t I?
After hearing little snippets here and there, I finally took the DNA plunge. I know…it’s a trendy thing right now. My dad won’t even consider it. He thinks the government will steal his biological history and use it to create a look-alike robot, or capture him and put him a Chinese torture chamber! ;) But, if I had his military/war history, I would have those fears too. I think most people already know that the “powers that be” already know more about us than we do!
I’ll find out in a few weeks just where I came from! Most American’s have no clue due to the constant revolving door. When I was living in Ukraine, a lady told me that she was of the “pure” race. Well, she was basically putting me down for being a mixed-breed-mongrel. LOL. **Sigh**
Oh if only she knew that we were all created by God…and he loved each of us no less than the other! I wonder how many relationships would heal if we all looked at each other through the loving eyes of our Creator…and loved each other the way he loves us…
Scriptures for Hope:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” ~John 3:16-17
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” ~1 John 4:10
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ~Matthew 22:37-40
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ~John 13:34-35
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” ~Romans 5:5
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ~Romans 5:8
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Since people get offended and hate others over the silliest of things, yes, I believe we are at the end. How much worse can it get? Jesus said when asked about the end of the age: “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” ~Matthew 24:10
Are you ready for eternity? Do you live in forgiveness or bitterness? Will that thing you harbor anger and bitterness over really matter a thousand years from now?
We have to forgive, and forgive, and forgive again, no matter how much it hurts or how much the offender continues their attack, even if they never admit to their offense. It’s hard. I have to continually remind myself of this all the time. I’m not perfect, just forgiven. Forgiveness is the only way to find freedom for our soul. Forgiveness does not mean the offender is not guilty of the sin, for we all give an account for every little thing we do; it just means we release to God our right for revenge. (God’s vengeance is always much better anyway.) We are then free to live in God’s peace and joy, which usually makes the offender angry because we are not letting them cripple us. We are free. We are ready to “meet our maker” with a clean heart. We are forgiven. Because, yes, no matter how slighted we feel, if we don’t forgive, God won’t forgive us. If we aren’t forgiven, we spend eternity without freedom, without light, without God… in hell.
Don’t believe me? Or, maybe you don’t believe me because you feel like I should not be forgiven because I have offended you in some way and you don’t like me. Then I say don’t. What do I know? All I am doing here is relaying what God’s word says. Here in the USA, there is a paper Bible (taken from ancient scrolls) on every corner, or you can look it up on the Internet. In it, you will read where Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
What of this life will you take with you into eternity?
“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” ~Matthew 18:21-22
“And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” ~Revelation 21:6-8
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When I look to the sky…
Those who live at the ends of the earth
stand in awe of your wonders.
From where the sun rises to where it sets,
you inspire shouts of joy.
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With all the images coming out of the islands decimated by hurricane Irma, one resounding word keeps popping up in my mind: barns. In just one day, the “fun” was washed away…
washed away…
We moved off our farm in spring of 2015 and became city-dwellers. My husband’s family farmed that land for around 150 years. You would not believe the old equipment lying around…continually replaced by the new.
Needless to say, it took us more than two months to clear our junk out of the barns! We sold, gave away, and threw away…and still found more and more…stuff. :/
Though our intention was to downsize…our new house…you guessed it…bigger.
Do we ever learn??
Tearing down the old storage shed and chicken coop…
Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”
Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
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I finally wrote a book… a devotional… and actually published it! My writings usually sit hidden in a drawer, but while living in Ukraine last year, my friend, Sarah Janisse Brown, encouraged me to join her in her publishing company, The Thinking Tree Publishing Company, LLC, and put some of them in print. Sarah is a fabulous illustrator! Oh, how I wish I had Sarah’s artistic talent…but then again, God gave me my own talents to use. The difference is…she has used hers greatly while mine have sat hidden in a drawer. But is that what God wants for us? According to Matthew 25, he doesn’t…
So, in my free time, I dusted off my notes, and we teamed up to create a devotional that can be doodled!
Since this is the 14th day of the month, here is an excerpt of the 14th devotional. First, though, read the actual Proverb from the Bible before reading the devotional. Then, if you have a copy of the book (link below), you will enjoy doodling on Sarah’s illustrations! I hope you like it!
Day 14 ~ Proverbs 14
“The heart knows its own bitterness and joy; he will not share these with a stranger.” ~Proverbs 14:10
How can we truly know another person, except by what we see and hear? Sometimes it’s easy to assess what is in a person’s heart based on their countenance. We can assume a person is joyful at that given second because of the belly laugh filling the air. We can assume a person is sad, hurt, or bitter when we see buckets of tears flowing down their cheeks. But, can we presume to know the reasons or the source? All too often, seemingly happy people (such as actor Robin Williams) take their own lives out of deep depression. We are frequently too quick to make assumptions about a person or situation before we see all sides of a matter (see Proverbs 18:17 & Proverbs 25:8). Yet, in our pride, it’s so easy to assume we know what another person is thinking or feeling. Most of the time, our pride prevents us from simply asking, and therefore our reactions to that person will be unfitting.
“A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness will utter lies.” ~Proverbs 14:5
What happens when we assume to know the heart of another and treat them accordingly? If I see someone come through the door with a scowl across their forehead, should I assume they are angry with someone? And then, to top that off, they complain about the blue skies. Should I assume they are bitter or nitpicking? How do we not know that they simply woke up with a migraine headache or have recently suffered a great loss? In our humanness, we are all occasionally guilty of these kinds of assumptions. When we fail to seek the truth, we are uttering lies. The old Indian proverb holds true: “Just walk a mile in his moccasins before you abuse, criticize, and accuse.” (Taken from the poem Judge Softly, written by Mary T. Lathrap in 1895). Yet, if we walk the same path, even then, do we deeply understand the heart of another?
“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.” ~Proverbs 14:30
On the flip side, making assumptions about another person’s joy is just as harmful. How often do we reject people because we believe their lives to be ideal? We become envious of their happiness while not being concerned with knowing the road they traveled to live in their joy. Often times, we are shocked upon hearing a mild-mannered, sweet Christian’s testimony to find she has a shockingly checkered past. Jesus says in Luke 7:47, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Do we rejoice with those who rejoice? Or do we allow our own self-centeredness to prevent us from being genuinely happy about other people’s success and joy?
Our hearts know our own bitterness. We deeply feel emotion when we have loved another. People are fallible beings. When we place expectations on others based on our own desires, we will be hurt. People will always, at one time or another, let us down. But we are not alone in our bitterness or our joy. Jesus says in Matthew 6:8b, “… for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.” Why expect strangers, or even those we know, to share in our joys and/or sorrows when we have a God who knows every deep hurt, feeling, and thought we’ve ever had? A sound heart comes when we let go of our expectations of others and place our hope and trust in God, the one who knows our heart more than any other.
“Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.” ~Proverbs 14:26
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**If you enjoy devotionals that you can doodle as you read with beautiful artwork by Sarah Janisse Brown, founder of The Thinking Tree Publishing Company; my Proverbs Devotional & Doodles Journal can be found on Amazon here: Proverbs Devotional & Doodles.
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**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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Thanksgiving & Christmas Thankfulness… My little Speech? Statement? Declaration? My final breath? ;)
I’m so thankful for a faith rooted in love, not terror; in life, not death. I’m so thankful God allowed me to see him through His Spirit…and not in the examples or interpretations of earthly, fallible men. I’m so thankful God gave us his Holy Spirit and his Word for guidance, strength, and comfort, and for the remaining churches that love the outcast like Jesus did (John 4).
I’m so thankful I don’t attend a church that doesn’t allow anyone older than the millennial generation in the worship band/choir but rather exonerates all walks of life (1 Kings 12:13). I’m so thankful I don’t attend a church that doesn’t allow newer, timeless music for fear of letting go of traditions or just plain being stuck in the 80s (Job 32:8-9). I’m so thankful I don’t attend a church that clings to suit & tie & stocking hosiery instead of acknowledging that man looks at the outward appearance while God looks at the heart and wants our worship to be a place where people can be real, be accepted, and be loved in ordinary jeans (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 23:27).
I’m so thankful that even though I will never live up to the expectations of people who are so quick to believe the worst, I am forgiven and accepted by a God who loves me just as I was created (John 3:16-17). I’m so thankful for the friends God has placed in my life, people who would not listen to negativity, realizing that to believe hearsay without verification is the same as the original telling of the lie. For lies are only from enemies (Ephesians 4).
I’m so thankful for my husband and the restoration God has worked through our lives. We are not perfect, but we choose not to control each other but rather to let God be in control; we choose to respect instead of belittle; we choose to love in spite of our baggage.
Finally, I’m so very thankful for the children God allowed me to birth; even through the distance, disagreements, and miscommunications, they all know their Momma’s love will never end. My prayer for you is that your road will wind its way to the Lord, that you will always seek Truth, that your faith will be your own, and that to know ”… our struggle is not against flesh and blood {people}, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12).
Most of all, never ever forget “…nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39).
That is all. (This is about as mushy as I’ll ever get….)
~Nora, Daughter of Abba God, Wife, Mom, Friend.
My husband and I had a little discussion the other day about people-pleasers being one and the same as self-pleasers. We talked about a lot of controversial points in today’s world, so he suggested I put our conversation in another blog post. The people-pleasing theme has already run through many of my posts, so this may be a reiteration of a post I wrote about people-pleasers here: People Pleasers and Brownie Points; and also my post on why people don’t like us here: Can We Just Like Each Other? So, I thought I had it covered.
However, he then asked, “Can you be a people-pleaser without being a self–pleaser?” In my prior posts, I alluded to people-pleasers being one and the same as self-pleasers. My question in my overly analytical mind is, “Why do we want to make everyone else happy?” What’s the bottom line? Is our heart’s motive selfless or self-serving?
I know of at least two churches where the preachers taught on the subject just this past Sunday! Lately, I’ve seen several articles, posts, blogs, etc. on this subject. Hordes of books have been written on people-pleasing, approval addiction, and boundaries in the past few years. Some hype could be the psychological money-making bandwagon. But when the phenomenon reaches numerous pulpits, we need to take notice.
With God, everything is a matter of the heart, even when we are pleasing Him.
We must ask ourselves:
We have begun to wonder if some sort of revival is beginning to break out over our country. Fence riders are beginning to fall off. One of those fences is full of people-pleasers. Eventually, everyone will have to choose one side or the other, so we might as well start now!
When revival and/or trials hit, God calls his people to step up to the spiritual (not religious) plate. He said we are not able to live by double standards. God is not only love, not only grace, but God is truth. Where do we get our screwed-up lives from? Lies. Deceit. Lies. Hypocrisy is rooted in lies. Double standards are rooted in lies. And believe it or not, people-pleasing is rooted in lies… for by pleasing one, another must suffer. We will never make everyone happy at the same time!
Maybe God is fed up with our fence-riding and is finally pushing us to stand for integrity. Perhaps He is building character in His children to enable us to survive the hard times most are predicting. I don’t believe for one second the martyred Christians were seeking the approval of man. How will we react when evil hits our doorstep? You’ve heard the line in the old Aaron Tippin country song, “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” God just wants our yes to be yes and our no to be no (even in the little things!) so we will have the character needed to withstand anything the enemy throws at us! Jesus said in John 5:41, “Your approval or disapproval means nothing to me.” Perhaps we should follow his example.
God’s approval is all we need. Yet, we tend to have an unhealthy fear of man, seeking popularity over integrity, instead of a spirit of love and respect for God.
Lord, forgive us for our apathy. Help us to follow truth, no matter who it hurts. Because following truth is following you. Help us to stand for that which is right. Because in standing for that which is right, we are standing in love for all.
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**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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“Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.” 20:10
~Not only applicable to business practices…but to relationships as well. Do we have one standard for one person, but not the same expectation for another? Do we love others based on their ability to live up to our standards? We tend to view others based on our personal perspective derived from our own world. When we quit expecting others to love based on our standards, and quit trying to seek love based on another person’s standards, we recognize the Lord is the only entity who loves us unconditionally. The Lord is the only one who shows NO partiality in whom he loves. He is the only one who truthfully sees our heart. He loves me. He loves you! Rest.
Beautiful Differing Feet!
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I have at least three things I really need to be doing right now…
But…here I sit…writing. I had a brainstorm. **Sigh**
I picked a daily proverb this morning for my proverbial Facebook post that had not been posted in the past: Proverbs 10:1. A couple of hours later, I received word from a good friend that a former co-worker had just passed away. After hearing of her death, the 7th verse, one I have often quoted, is all that runs through my mind.
“…but the name of the wicked will rot.” (Proverbs 10:7)
Oh yes… I remember my old co-worker. All I can say is I hope and pray, after they found the cancer, that she took the time to make amends with whomever she was continually infuriated with. Even more so, I pray she made amends with Jesus. Hopefully, before she passed away, she found forgiveness (My Thoughts on Forgiveness) for herself and others. The sad thing is, even though we have no right to judge her or guess where she is now, my memories of her character are so negative, my hope for a positive afterlife is not very…hopeful. Then again, do we really know? I can imagine the office atmosphere now is, how shall we say tactfully, lighter? I myself have been accused at times of being a grump at work. We all have bad days now and then. But we’re able to get over ourselves and bounce right back to our usual cheerfulness. And then there’s that one…
That grump, day in and day out, who is always irritated at nearly everything. That one co-worker, friend, or relative who ravages peace and thrives on hate.
How will future generations hold our memory?
As we pass into the abyss of history, our future generations will only identify our name as either good or bad. The only thing that will matter a hundred years from now is the character we leave behind. Not a single physical thing, only our character.
Will our memory be a blessing or a curse??
Will all this drama really matter a hundred years from now?
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**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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“’It is worthless, it is worthless!’ says the buyer; but when he goes his way, then he boasts about his bargain.” ~Proverbs 20:14
My husband hates to negotiate. Some of it is sheer personality, but mostly, negotiating is an indication that one of the parties is attempting to get something for nothing. Either the seller has inflated the price to portray something more than it is worth, or the buyer (as in the Proverb) is casting doubt on the quality in order to pay less than the actual worth. Inadvertent theft.
Does God do that with us? He could have. He had every right to cast full light on our sin and expose our worthlessness. Jesus could have called down all the Angels in heaven to keep from paying the price asked for our sins.
But he didn’t.
He paid a price we were unable to pay. He willingly sacrificed an inflated price for our worthlessness. And yet, as he walked away, arose to heaven, instead of proclaiming our worthlessness…he proclaimed nothing but love.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Grandma’s Relics
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“Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.” v15:17
Family. You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t live with them, but you can’t live without them either.” … Well, yes, I can live without them. They say blood is thicker than water…but I don’t believe that is true for humans. We are fallible beings. I do believe that is true for God’s people, who are connected through the perfect blood of Jesus…not the blood of a fallible man.
Do you remember family dinners? Are they even in existence anymore? When disharmony is the dish of the day…a TV tray is much more peaceful. Sadly, we miss out on family time. But, when the conflict, back-biting, ridiculing, and the put-down’s flow, I’d much rather sit by myself with a bowl of…dare I say…broccoli *gasp* than to sit at a full table with people who cause one to have to come up fighting just to breathe. Yep…you can keep your fattened calf.
The family God brings into my life is where the love flows…
Fattened calf…actually, this was probably a bull at one time… ;)
~Me
Hell. 
A foul word…
A very real place…
Can you smell it?
Can you feel it?
Life is a vapor.
Yes, there is always life: eternal life. We simply walk through the door to the other side. Do we choose the red pill or the blue pill? We will live on. The quote, “Once you’re dead, you’re dead,” only applies to our chance at life. Death is final. Physical death is very final. Yet we live on. Our spirit will endure… Forever… But where? The one tested, tried, and true theory is a place called Heaven, conversing with our Creator on streets of gold. But most ignore the inverse. The same entity that foretold Heaven…foretold the fires of Hell: a torrid place, a very real place, a place for all liars—the root of bad drama. Have you lied to the Creator? He knows your heart. He knows the evil we spew. Yet, He still loves us. He loves us so much that He poured out grace. We will never be able to overcome the consequences of our sin nature… so He died in our place. He paid our debt. And yet, He is patient. He lets us dwell in the midst of our evil, giving us chance after chance to choose… to choose life or death… to decide between truth and lies.
Heaven or Hell: a very real place. Can you smell it? Can you feel it? Life is a vapor…
Choose…
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“… to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—“ ~Mark 9:45
“The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God.” ~Psalm 9:17
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I am one who despises religion… I’m more into relationships. Not only that, but I go to church… for relationships. Not the traditional rituals. The Bible is clear that the traditions held by mankind hold no meaning in God’s eyes. The apostle Paul describes it best in Galatians 3. Rituals, traditions, and religions do not save the soul. Yet, we still have them. We still go. To. Church. Maundy Thursday seems to be the new rage these days. Our church held their first Maundy Thursday service this year. Normally, I am not one to get hyped up about these kinds of services. They seem so very… ritualistic.
Jesus taught in parables. He taught by example. Kids learn more by observing their parents than from any textbook. Traditions, festivals, religious holidays, etc. do serve a purpose. They “show” us the event. But save us? No. So then, why do we bother?
I was ever so glad when I was asked to run the media during the Thursday service. Work is always the perfect excuse to avoid participation. I could hide behind the sound booth where no one notices. My husband was asked at the last minute to participate in the live depiction of the Last Supper. So we were both busy. All settled. Foot-washing ritual avoided!
During the service I hit play on a couple of videos that showed Ray Vander Laan explaining in detail the purposes behind each ritualistic position. Why they leaned on their right… or was it the left… arm. Why they wanted to sit in such and such a place at the table. Why Jesus dipped in the bowl of bitter herbs… with Judas. That part of the service I love. The whys? We read and hear things about Christianity that makes no absolute sense in today’s world. We have dishwashers and stoves. We drive cars and fly in planes. Why does it matter which arm they sat on? We sit at the table, and they sit on the dirt floor.
Jesus, in his loving and patient way, lived what he spoke. He said serve. So, He served. He was the leader. The king of the pack. The President. We are to serve those above. Yet, Jesus grabbed the title of the servant… the seat on the other side of the table… and took up the rag. He washed their feet. The King… washed their feet!
So, yeah… we have this “Foot Washing” in the middle of the service. Oh, don’t get me wrong… I love a good foot massage! I am not above having my feet washed… Hey go for the whole deal… I’ll even provide the lotions! And for me to wash others… fiddlesticks, I’ve wiped plenty of babies’ butts! No, the mechanics of the act have no effect on me.
It’s the ritual. The meaning. Lost in today’s world.
A low voice circles around the sound booth door… Can I wash your feet?
If there is one person in the whole church who deserves a spa pampering day… it’s the momma of a pre-teen and a very special boy! I believe the parents are just as, if not more, special than the child. Life never quits. She drops in bed exhausted every night. Yet, full of love. Her house is the host of many a gathering… even in the midst of their own chaos. Always working. Always caring. Always giving. And she wanted to wash my feet.
No way… I should be washing hers!
Then Peter’s words popped out. And Jesus replied. And the least shall be first and the first shall be least. So we wash. And be washed. Washed with the Spirit. The spirit of fellowship. The spirit of Love.
Ritual? Yes… to show… to remind us to feel… to love.
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**Highlights in color are links for more information.
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**The sidewalk picture downtown in Fortville is mine. I don’t own the rights to the original washbowl & wheelchair images, and I’m not making any money on them.
Voice of Restoration 