Auld Lange Syne

Indeed, times have gone by. As we say goodbye to 2010, and give a hearty hello to 2011, I'm reminded of some comforting truths I've learned this year.  Just when I though I'd learned a lot, God teaches me even more.

In His time... In His time...

He makes all things beautiful in His time!
He makes all things beautiful in His time!
Lord, please show me everyday
As you're teaching me your way
and I'll do just what you say,
In your time

so goes the popular hymn. How very true. It's been a learning process, but I think that I've finally learned to trust God, and have been bowled over at His goodness, and at his oh-so-perfect timing!

Come, ye thankful people, come!

Well, here we are, Thanksgiving is upon us in the USA. We're having family and friends over, with all the traditional foods. I can't wait! No, no WAY would I consider doing it all myself! I think I'd curl up in a fetal position and just cry if I had to carry the load all by myself.

Things that make you go, 'hmmmm'

 I have to confess, I really wasn't expecting anything momentous  when I pulled up my favorite radio broadcast. Due to hectic schedules, I've seldom had time to listen to my friends over in Carrollton, Texas. But, I had some spare time this afternoon, so I thought I'd pull up today's archive and give it a listen. Mainly just to see what the folks were up to.
God, however, had other plans...

Sweet, sweet peace

Listening to the drone of the ceiling fan, my eyes fight to stay awake long enough to post this blog. Sleep comes more easily these days, as my thoughts turn to trusting God, and not having to work out things myself.

And so, we say goodbye

We've reached the end of the series, "Love is...." from our pastor's teachings. For the past several weeks, we've been listening to a series of sermons with Agape Love as the topic. Today concluded that series.  Several good points were made, but one in particular caught my ear: Paul's prayer for the Saints at Thessalonica

Gospel that Saves, or Judgement that Condemns?

It's been said that whenever a tele-preacher/ministry would fall hard, it made headline news for weeks. However, when a celebrity would fall, no one would really bat their eye then. Why is this so? I have to wonder, is it because what’s often give from the pulpit is judgmental and condescending? Could the world be finally getting a chance to say “aha”? For so many years “the people” have been told to not do this or that, and that God would punish them if they did do this or that, now the shoe is on the other foot so to speak? Really, who could blame them? Finally, the one doing the judging is finally being judged. 

Is the message being preached from the pulpit the Gospel that Saves? Or is it the Judgement that Condemns? One is good news, the other is not. What are we hearing?

The 100 year plan, we've not.

Dear God,
I guess today hit me square in the face with the reality that we are not on the 100 year plan. Not only that, but not everyone will remain who they are, or at least our vision of who they were.

Lord, it hurts so much, I can't stop crying. I know it's silly. There's quite a bit of guilt I'm heaping on myself, and I know that's just as silly. Of course, You know more about this situation than I do.

Love is....

.....Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in truth. So goes the opening statement of today's sermon. Today's sermon was almost used to create an anxious mindset within myself.

Love, Love, Christians this is your call!

... so goes the song from my childhood. Sounds nice. I have to admit, it's amazing how God works this out.
You see, a few months ago, I'd asked God to help me love. I want to love others the way He loves others, or at least be a willing vessel to have His love flow through me onto others. Every since I've prayed that, it seems God has brought situations (people) to me, that I knew  I could never love in my own strength. He's also opened my eyes to my own heart attitude as I go about my day.

In His time

 Oh yeah, definitely in His time. I have to give God credit here---He knows just when to do something, whether we ask or not.

This past couple of weeks, there's been a weary mist that had settled over my heart. Taking a good look around at work, it was easy to get discouraged. Someone has broken the children. Sure, it's simply the first couple of weeks of school, but I don't recall the children coming to me as broken as they have this year. Not just me, but teachers across the nation have noticed a certain 'something' behind the eyes of the children. I wondered what on earth could I do to fix these broken souls? Was I really going to be able to teach them reading, writing, and 'rithmetic? Hard to focus when their tummy is growling. Hard to concentrate when you're wondering if your dad is going to be home that afternoon, and if he is, will he be in a good mood--or worse?

Digging the heels in--doesn't work anymore..

Don't you HATE being the one that seems to ALWAYS give in, first? Once, just ONCE I would like for the OTHER party to apologize first.

ARRRGHHHH!!!

.......So, how's that for a post title? I am so frustrated, it's not funny. Not to mention hurt, and nauseas.

We had an extended family Bible Study tonight, as has become a habit of ours.  The mistake was made in letting my guard down. It seemed for sure that perhaps our family had changed, and was indeed growing in Christ. Tonight proved to be a set back for sure. I hated that it happened, but there comes a time, when a person, even a Christian gets tired of being slapped around. (Proverbially speaking, not literally)

The Veil

Talk about a sweet realization. Here for about a month, the family has been getting together for a Bible Study. No curriculum is being used, just verses and praise reports being shared. Questions asked, topics discussed and fellowship had.

Touch Not Mine Anointed!

....and do my prophets no harm! I cringe when I recall the church attendance in my past. How often I would stick my chest out, and proclaim this verse to all who would listen. As if I were God's top dog? Puuuuleeeze! Yet, all my other church comrades were proclaiming this, as were a few of our preachers and deacons, so surely we couldn't all be wrong, could we?

In a word---yes.

"I'll storm the gates of heaven for him!"

     ...so exclaimed a friend of mine, worried about a friend with serious health problems. The friend's doctor had previously totally botched up a surgery to remove some cancer, or to straighten out some twisted intestines or something. Whatever it was, the surgery didn't work, and the friend awoke in more pain than when he went under. The doctor's response? "Sorry, nothing I can do" and left him laying in pain on the hospital bed.  I was appalled at the situation. I don't know whatever became of him, as we've since lost touch. Seems I heard that the doctor was sued, and another specialist brought in. Although the problem wasn't totally fixed, the new doctor was able to offer him some relief from the pain.

Tick! Tock! Goes the clock

It's nearing 11:00pm. I lay flat on my back gazing up at the ceiling. Sleep should have came hours ago.  Sleep has evaded me. Typical, though, for the first day back to work. Staring at the clock on my nightstand, the hands seem to crawl around the face. I close my eyes, and within seconds, they pop back open on their own accord.

Love is Patient (??)

Back in the day, one of the popular 'doodling' for students not paying attention would be to fill out the, "Love is....." phrase. Of course, there were as many different endings as there were students not paying attention. However, one of the most famous phrases perhaps is the definition of love found in I Corinthians 13. Start right off with, "love is patient".

3 Reasons To Go To Church(?)

This was recently posted on a friend's status message in one of the online social networks:
Three good reasons to go to church. 1. Because I want to! 2. Because I get to! 3. Because the Bible says to! Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near. NLT

Will a Man Rob God?

How many of us know that passage? Yep, you know it--the good ole Malachi 3:8. Many a sermon has included this scripture to guilt people into giving. I've heard a few of those myself. Tied to this, was the "look at what all Jesus has done for you, couldn't you at least pay your tithes like you should? He only asks for 10%." and so it goes.

Be still, my pen

Thank you, Lord, for stilling my pen.

Interesting how God works. I had another post halfway finished before a quick thunderstorm shut down the power in the entire northern part of our county for a couple of hours.

Don't worry--you didn't miss anything.

Open my heart, Lord

During our weekly Bible Study, we were reading II Corinthians 6 where Paul is imploring the Saints at Corinth to open their hearts towards Paul and his companions:

 ¹¹We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. ¹²We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. ¹³As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

Faith, Hope, and Love... the greatest is Love.

I remember, back in the days of legalism, I had tons of scripture memorized, and would always plug a certain scripture in to combat a certain situation. Of course, nine times out of ten, these scriptures wouldn't 'work' and were simply a formula to solve a problem. When God just basically baptized my whole being into His body... His grace--over 90% of those memorized verses just flew out the window.

That's it. I quit.

.... and upon these statements, I can hear the door slam shut in my mind. To be honest, I'm quite content in my decision. Actually it's been the decision that God has been asking me to make for a long while now. Oh, I'd give lip service to "let go and let God"... or maybe sing the song, "God is in control". But really? It was me who wanted to be in control; me who wanted to be doing the doing. Of course, my results were somewhat akin to scaling a greased flag pole. Never even made it off the ground. Or at best, my decision would wreck havoc in the lives of those I cared about.

You pop the popcorn, and I'll start the movie, angels...

.... no, not really. Sadly though, many people are taught that that's exactly what Hebrews 4:13 is referring to: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. This was the verse used for so many years by religious leaders to guilt me into behaving. "Just think.. you stand before God on that judgement day, and allllll your sins will be on display for all to see. How will you feel then??" Hogwash.

Time to erase the chalkboard

.....of pretty much everything I knew, or thought I knew about what God expects from me. In the religious walk of my past, I've heard bits and pieces of truth and/or error from several well meaning people. Time to erase it all: The good, the bad, the ugly.

Do Bee Do Wop Bop Bop-a-Lu-La!

.....is what comes to mind when I read Romans 7: 19-25--¹⁹For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

 ²¹So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²²For in my inner being I delight in God's law; ²³but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. ²⁴What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! 

God is NOT DEALING WITH US ON A SIN ISSUE..

...was the comment from the previous blog. So what, then? So we're forgiven and that's all?  No...it is important to understand the sin issue, but being forgiven is not the end of it. While mankind did need to be forgiven, we need something much more: Life. Not temporary life, but eternal life.

"One of the most dangerous doctrines in Christendom is once saved always saved...

.....because it lures a person into a false sense of security" is a quote taken directly from a teaching of the pulpit. When reading this, a big old sigh escaped from my lips. So much error. So, let me get this straight, trusting in Jesus is a form of false security? The entire basis of this person's teaching was that God is still holding our sins against us. That cannot be farther from the truth. This came from the lips of someone who professed to believe in God, and holds that Jesus is the son of God.

I think I see our exit up ahead... get ready to turn...

Almost. We've been traveling for miles and miles it seems. I didn't think we'd EVER get there! Where are we going? To eternity. To be honest, I've not thought of heaven in a while, until just here recently. You see, for years, that's all I thought about, "When I get to heaven, I'll_____________" then fill in the blanks with what we'll do, who we'll see, what we'll hear... whatever your pleasure. The problem was that, was that I was so focused on 'then', that I was totally blowing 'now' off. I wasn't loving my family and friends--had no time--I was trying to see heaven up ahead, and try as I might.. I just couldn't.

Feelings or Faith?

I suppose we've all been there, done that. So many times, my belief system has been driven by my feelings, or emotions, rather than on truth. I have worked myself up in a tizzy, thinking the worse case scenario of my children. You too? When they're late coming home, do you envision all sorts of tragic things that might've have happened? Only to breathe a sigh of relief when they come strolling through the door sometime later, complaining about the traffic? Truth was, the traffic was horrendous. Emotions didn't go in that direction, though.

The Elijah complex

The ending of today's broadcast brought a smile to my face. The show host was laughingly confessing to having the Elijah complex near the end of his "What's it all about?" journey away from the law.

What's the Elijah complex? Glad you asked.

Rise and be healed--no thanks, I'm fine.

Funny isn't it? For once in my life, it's okay by me to be hearing impaired. Thinking back into the throes of yesteryear, I recall service after service being annointed with oil, having the elders pray for my healing, only to go into the hospital for surgery right on cue. As usual, this operation didn't work either. I've lost count of how many operations I've had on my ears in hopes of restoring my hearing to at least almost normal. It seemed other people around me were receiving their miracles from God. Where was mine? Shame engulfed me as ministers would quote, "According to your faith, be healed!" Apparently I didn't have enough faith.

What happens to Christians who wander out in left field?

 Today's broadcast was an interesting one. Timely, too. Our group of friends have been casually discussing some of the erroneous teachings we're hearing. The most recent discussion was of the one where a Christian can go to hell if, in the last few breaths of his life, his spiritual state is that of sin. According to a particular teaching, there is no guarantee of eternal security, until we get there, that is--if we get there.

"Mom, I forgive you"

If you listen to no other broadcast, I encourage you to listen to today's. One such caller was calling again, just to update the listeners on her situation. She called  several days ago, at the tail end of the program, hurt and nearly crushed with the pain her mom inflicted on her. The caller and her mom never had a good relationship, until the caller was diagnosed with cancer. Throughout the entire cancer ordeal, the mom was there for her. However, later, after the cancer went into remission, the mom resumed her behavior of shunning the daughter, and denying any relationship with her. As I listened to her story, my heart broke for her. Have you, or anyone you know ever gone through this? To have a parent/guardian just cast you aside, I cannot fathom that. At least not to that degree.

Lord, lord, have we not prophesied.....?

This is the verse that I was trying to think of when penning yesterday's blog. Matthew 7 shows us an illustration of some people trying to get into heaven based on their good works. "Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name and do many mighty works in your name?" To which they received the reply, "Depart from me, workers of iniquity, I never knew you". Sad. Now, to the common eye, these people in question probably looked like Authentic Christians. Casting out demons, prophesying, doing mighty works..

Are Christians just Jesus mimes?

"Isn't the true measure of an authentic Christian to practice the teachings of Jesus when no one is looking?" was that status message of a relative on their social network page.  I must admit that I cringed when I read that. Is that how God measures an authentic Christian? No... not really.

We've always done it this way!!

Many times I have heard that exclamation. Both in the church life and work life. Probably even the home life as well. Does that make it right, however?  Does it make it even worth a look? A caller in today's broadcast mentioned an elderly relative wanting to leave her church, due to the fact that the denomination has started to change the way things are done. This particular relative grew up where women were pretty well not allowed to be a visual participant of any church activity. I can relate. Women were to be seen and not heard. We were supposed to show up at every quilting bee, and we could talk there--but heaven forbid that we actually do anything beyond sing and smile on Sunday morning. So thankful am I, that Jesus was the first women's libber! But--that's for another time.

Just who do you think you are??

No, seriously... who DO we think we are? I suppose it might depend on what day of the week you ask us. We might carry the identity of someone's spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend, career person. What happens when we no longer carry that identity? THEN who are we? Any of the above listed identities could change in a split second, through our own choices, choices of others, or because of circumstances beyond our control. Thankfully, we have access to one identity that will never change.

Hi ho! Hi Ho! It's off to work--errr church I go!

That famous Disney song is what comes to mind when I think of church attendance bondage. You know those churches--they make you feel like you are the world's biggest backslider if you're not at church every time the doors open. Between making sure we attend the local church religiously, and making sure we keep our sins confessed and forgiven, when are we supposed to find time to enjoy Christ? When are we supposed to be able to do that resting thing that Jesus promised those who were weary and came to him? I used to think it was when I died and went to heaven. I simply had no time to rest right now... too much to 'do'. Just before I pulled out of the local congregation, I was in more ministries than I cared to be involved in, but felt 'obligated' to be involved--you know.. being God's right hand gal and all...

Why do the ungodly prosper?

......was the ending question of today's broadcast. My heart sympathized with the caller. I can remember back in the day, when it seemed like no matter what I did to get ahead, I always seemed to fall 3 steps back. Meanwhile, some of my family members were living it up in bars, kept making it hand over fist. This realization brought me into the state of depression more often than not.

Real answers for Real People with Real questions

This afternoon's broadcast was pretty solid. One of my favorite broadcasts sharing the Good News of the Gospel, People to People, has a radio show that allows callers to call in with sincere Bible Questions, or questions about life in general, and the hosts enjoy giving the Biblical advice to the callers. If the answer doesn't come from scriptures, it doesn't get broadcasted. That's something I really respect from these guys. It's God or nothing.

There's No Place Like Home, No Place Like Home...

Home. What a wonderful sounding word. To quote the character Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home" Or is there?

I do belong somewhere

This post was on my cousin's status message on our social network. Her mindset was back in our family reunion, where as usual, we all had a blast.

However, her simple statement of thanks sparked another thought within. We do belong somewhere, and more importantly to someone, namely Jesus Christ. Just like my cousin experienced a room full of love within our extended family, we who are in Christ, can also experience that love, and know that we actually do belong somewhere.

So long.. farewell... auf wiedersehen... adieu

My heart fell, and I cannot fathom why. This evening, my son came home from his church extremely early.  Before eight o'clock tonight, he was home. I, of course, immediately jumped to conclusions and wondered what was wrong. "Ain't nuttin' wrong. Bro. Mark only preached for about 30 minutes" my son tried to reassure me. Only 30 minutes? No way. This was a pentecostal type church. No preacher ever preaches for under 30 minutes, then of course you've got to have the traditional "slain in the spirit" stuff. Only 30 minutes? Hogwash. I was then told that the preacher has stopped 'preaching' for a while, and has started 'teaching'. The attendance has dropped off considerably, and there's not much life going on anymore. For some reason, this news hurt. To drive the knife in a little deeper, I was told that the attendance started dropping off when the last of the live music left.

Doom-de-doom-doom....DOOOOOM!

Thunderstorms are swirling outside our windows. Absolutely breath taking. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I love the rains. Thunderstorms are a dime a dozen here in the southern summers, and unless they turn into hurricanes (which have been known to happen) I'm okay with it.
Why? Well, simply because just for that short time, be it a few minutes, hours, or even days... it's as if God is washing the earth clean--again. When the rain is said and done, the air smells sweeter, the plants look more lush and green, and the chorus of tree frogs and bull frogs down in the river swamp are music to my ears. For just a short while, I feel separated from the cares of this world, and cares there are many.

A time for all things

I just realized something about myself today. I don't do change that well.  A couple of weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to go to a workshop with a co-worker and boss. My boss is great. She and I have so much in common. We're both in Christ, we both love teaching,  and love playing the piano. This is where I get uncomfortable. She plays for a local church congregation, and doesn't understand why I don't. To be honest, I don't  understand it either. I love the fellowship I have online, but it does seem that the piano is laying dormant. So... maybe that was an omen that I should go church surfing again? A friend once told me, "If you find the perfect church, don't go--you'll mess it up!" Of course, he was jokingly being serious, but I got the message. Still, what should I be able to overlook? What should I stand my ground on? Is it time for me to change--again?

Ph.D Piled Higher and Deeper?

As we sat in the frigid gymnasium listening to the governor drone on about the importance of morals and religion in today's politics, I couldn't help but to let my thoughts wander. Today was the ceremony of my niece and her classmates completing their four years of higher education. Today, my niece will graduate with her Bachelors of Science in Education. Yep, like me, my niece has fulfilled her dreams of becoming a teacher.
Watching the graduates, as well as the gymnasium full of spectators, I wondered exactly how important our education is. The speaker jokingly made a remark of whether the students graduated cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude, or even "thank the Good Laude!" the graduates were to be commended. Exactly who thought that up? Why are Latin honors so important? Does it matter?

Discipline From God

Discipline From God

Listening to this program, I could honestly relate to the first caller. I suspect hundreds, even thousands of more people could relate also. She asked about the verse in Hebrews, about God disciplining the one He loves. She mentioned that the word "Scourge" gives the connotation of 'flaying out', as in pretty much filleting the skin. This verse has been used by many legalistic churches to heap guilt on someone. God doesn't punish us for our sins; He punished Jesus. If there was still punishment left for our sins to be had, then Jesus didn't do a very good job of providing the ultimate sacrifice. However, it's easy to see where folks can get mixed up. How often have our own parents threatened to "tan our hides" for misbehaving? How many times, especially with the older generation, were whippings, sometimes to the point of beatings gotten, all in the name of discipline? Why wouldn't we think that God would do the same thing?

Are we almost there yet?

Driving to school this evening to pick up my youngest from his field trip, I enjoyed the twilight sky with the moon shining and the stars just starting to peek out of their velvet backdrop. From somewhere, thoughts of the ancients popped into my head. The ones that were in Christ--did they ever speculate as to what heaven would be like?