Sugar Coated?

2 Timothy 4; 3-4  '' For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.''


     As Mary Poppins sang, 'Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.'  Well the church in today's world often thinks we need to sugar coat the Word to avoid losing it's members.  It is a wrong, dangerous theory and misleading.  Sermons often preach 'the good life' message of wealth and earthly benefits to becoming a believer, which is false teaching.  God never promises an easy life but promises strength to get you through life.
     If you're attending a church that never deals with subjects like sin, hell, repentance or forgiveness then you need to think about whether the messages are spiritual doctrine or motivational jargon. There is a huge difference.
    We must remember that whatever we are going through or face in our lives that it's 'not about you but it's about God's glory.'  The Word is good for us, even when it's hard to swallow.

Who is Good?

   Well this caption makes me think of the firestorm against Paula Deen by the media and her sponsors.  I think it is wrong and hypocritical to disown her for things said in the past, off air and apologized for.  We are all sinners and not one of us is good.  Our comparison scale is biased when we say 'well I'm better than him/her' because our only example of true good is Jesus.  We all fall short when we stand next to His example.
   Yes, cast the first stone if your words have never been ugly or disrespectful.  Yes, never ever?  The stone you throw should boomerang back to you and hit you square between the eyes because you are blinded to your own sin.
   Forgiveness is the answer, not the pointing of the finger.  When you point your index finger, your three other fingers point back to you.  May those who want to blame be put to shame and may peaceful bliss come from forgiveness.

Thirsty

   
     When it's 98 degrees outside, aren't we all thirsty?  The power of suggestion is in full force driving down the road of drink advertisements.  Is it Sonic happy hour time?  Who wants a smoothie?  Is the snowcone place on the way?  Frozen lemonade, now that sounds good.  There's nothing like a good cool down from the inside out with a good cold drink.  It doesn't last but only for a short while.
     John 4;13-14  ''Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
    Yes only Jesus can refresh us, revive us and restore us in an everlasting way.  I strongly suggest you to drink up His Word and your cup will runneth over.

It's a God Thing

    How often do we think about food and what our choice to enjoy will be?  I can say 'quite often' for myself.  'It's a God thing' that not only does God provide for our needs to satisfy our hunger but that He also gives us so many choices.  Even if you got to pick your favorite food, could you eat only that every day for every meal?  The Israelites begged for food in the desert and God provided them with something they didn't even know what it was at first, manna from heaven.  Yes it was nutritious, but with time they complained for something different.  I can understand that but we must remember God gives us what we need, not just what we want.
  ''Have you ever doubted the Lord could supply your needs? Maybe your circumstances seemed so desperate that you lost hope. That’s what happened to the Israelites after escaping Egyptian slavery. They were free but stranded in the desert. As their food ran out, they started to worry and complain. But the Lord had not led them out of Egypt to perish in the wilderness. As Life Principle #11 says, God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.''  from intouch.org
     Our food supply and its variety of choices is a prime example of God not only meeting our needs but giving us more than we deserve.  Grace is giving us what we don't deserve, and it's a God thing.

Day is Done

    It's almost 8pm now, so it's kind of a late blog post.  Was your day what you wanted it to be?  Sometimes we can't rest at night because we didn't get done today all that we thought we should have.  Take note from Charlie Brown and let it go till tomorrow.
    There is only one exception to that theory and that is to never put off your decision to follow Christ.  We are not promised tomorrow and only knowing your eternal destiny will you rest with blessed assurance.... everything else can wait till another day.

Patience

    Today, I went to my doctor's office to get my blood checked. [It's good]  As I was getting off the elevator following the elderly lady in front of me, this other elderly lady waiting to get on the elevator tried to push my electric chair to hurry me up.  Really?  She dodged 'the look' from me because my eyes were on the chair's joystick and I was trying to keep anybody from getting run over.
    Who can relate?  Sure we often think our force can speed things along in a helpful manner.  Then after a calamity occurs, we realized we should have been patient and waited.  It's not easy to slow down or even stop for a moment in our busy worlds.  We've got things to do, places to be and people to see, right?  Is your attitude upon arrival one of peace or frustration?
    The lyrics 'when peace, like a river, attendeth my way' comes to my mind when I think about patience.  The sound of a river flowing is a soothing sound.  The flow of a river is what it is and only turbulent times rush it and cause havoc to occur.  Don't we want our lives to flow steadily like a river?
    Good things come to those who wait.  Force is not always the best course to take.  Just be patient.

Be the Beggar That Shares

    Several people have told me that my blog posts encourage them spiritually.  I think this caption says it well because I'm not doing anything that any other believer couldn't do.  We all have our own way to share the Daily Bread with others and that is fine, as long as we do it.  We are not just to hear the Word but to be doers of the Word.  Jesus said in Mark 16;15  ''Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.''  Even in our everyday lives here in suburbia, we are missionaries in the field.
    The lost are not hard to find and they are hungry and thirsty.  We should feel the same guilt in not sharing the Gospel with others, as we do when we eat and drink in front of someone without anything.  Share what you have, both seen and unseen.
    Yes, the harvest is plenty but the workers are few.  I beg you to be the beggar that shares the Bread with those around you.

Body and Soul

    Which do you consider stronger, your body or your soul?  To which do you invest more time and thought into?  These are important questions to ask yourself when you think about eternity.  The weaker my body gets, the more I feel like a soul-being.  It means I look beyond my physical strength and look more for my inner strength.  'Physical strength is measured by what we can carry.  Inner strength is measured by what we can bear.'
    Soul strengthening comes best from God's word.  It is truthful, encouraging, reassuring and never changes.  The soul is also nourished when we help others.  It is a command to put others above ourselves.
    How much better would we feel if we spent equal time on both the body and soul?   ''What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?'' Mark 8:36
    May all that you encounter today with your body, be well with your soul.

Sunny Weather

    Tomorrow is the beginning of Summer 2013.  Woohoo!  Summer is the best time of the year for me.    I feel like I catch a break from colds and viruses during the summer, so yes I love summertime.  I can bear with the heat but it's the humidity that gets to me.  It's all good though because I can escape into the blessing of air conditioning... not all are so blessed.
    Whatever your favorite season is you can be assured God reigns through them all.  The showers of blessings may be different but they are always present.  May the Son shine brightly through you as strong as you feel the sun shining on you today.

It's a God Thing

     You never know what you're going to run into on any given day, so always be on alert.  Today Karla and I went to Mardels and then to TSC.  We went to TSC for some corn cobs for the squirrels outside my window.  The first bag looked torn and not the best so Karla got another bag.  The corn bag stunk and we never remembered it being like that before, but TSC stinks in general.  As Karla carried it at an arm's length away, we took the bag to the checkout.  After the lady rang it up, she said 'you might want to get a different bag, this one has weevils.'  As she lifted up the bag, you could see the counter covered with creepy crawlers...yuck.  I asked Karla to tell her we changed our minds and we left without any purchases.
    I think 'It was a God thing' that when the stench didn't detour our plans, then the bug evidence did.  Can you imagine the infestation of them in my van?  Or on us?  I carry Germ-x in the van and it came in handy today, even tho we still had the willys.
   God often gives us gentle warnings and when we ignore them, He is often more bold and direct.






   

A New Day

    We should wake up every day with this kind of attitude.  To be honest, we don't though.  If you're reading this then God gave you another day of life.  Today may be your day to turn your life over to God's will or it may be another opportunity to serve Him.
    This caption reflects my feelings for today.  Karla [who often wears sunglasses, like Snoopy] is back today and I feel like Woodstock.  I know God is good to me ALL the time but there are days like these when there is no doubt.  Yes, I'm alive on this new day and I can feel both the sun and The Son shining on me.

What Is In Me

     I think this caption is a good cleansing prayer for all of us.  The ways of the world often darken our days, weaken our spirits, break our godly will, bruise our hearts and make us sick.  Only God can truly revive and restore us.  I know we've all experienced things in our lives that have caused us to build up walls of protection against.  Only God's forgiveness with ourselves and others can begin to tear down those barriers.
    When I hear of family members never speaking to one another because of hardened hearts, it makes me sad for them.  'Where is the love?'  Proverbs 20:9  'Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?'  We are all guilty of letting anger get the best of us at times.
    Psalm 51;10  'Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence.'  Aren't you glad God doesn't abandon us when we disappoint Him?

Happy Father's Day

     My dad has all of these qualities and most of them to the level described.  He's a work in progress on the others.  I have learned alot of these characteristics from him as I grew up by his example.  If you knew my dad's meek background, you could definitely see that God had a plan for his life and I'm thankful that it included me.  As they say, it doesn't take much to be a father but to be a dad takes a whole lot of give and take.  My dad has given me all he could and taken the heat on my behalf on more than one occasion.  I guess the first time was when the nurse wouldn't let him carry me out of the hospital after I was born.  There began the journey of dad-hood.
 Thanks Dad, I love you.  Happy Father's Day.

Friday Visit

     I am a people person and being with friends can always lift my spirits.  I am not a hermit or a recluse because I need social interaction, almost as much as I need air.  Today, Charlene was here for awhile and will return later.  Tori was here all day to keep me going.  Cathy drove over 40 minutes to come spend some needed catch up time visiting with me.  Facebook time is just not enough for us.  Then Betsy and her kids came over for some fun outdoor time.  I think Hank would've preferred the A/C but he got out voted.
     Happiness is a choice and I it's an easy choice with friends like these.  Dale Carnegie says, 'Happiness doesn't depend on our external circumstances but on our mental attitude.'  Yes, that's true and I need reminded of that sometimes but it is a lot easier to be happy with friends around.

Understand It?

     No, I don't understand why some things are the way they are.  You can just watch the news and see we have 'trials dark on every hand.'  Some people don't watch the news because they think it is too depressing and/or upsetting.  We must remember that 'we cannot understand all the ways God leads us to that blessed promised land.'  He uses examples of sin and consequence, obedience and blessings, and His faithfulness all around us.  Do we see it or turn a blind eye?  'He will guide us with His eye and we will follow till we die' should be our answer.  Yes, we are tested by temptations and the cruelty of the world and ask 'why Lord, why?'   I can't answer that for you but if you look back on your by-gone days, you may understand your past struggles 'better by and by.'
     'God’s nature is not affected by time, place, people, or circumstances. He never makes a mistake in what He says or does, because His knowledge is perfect, His sovereignty is complete, and all is within His sight. Every promise is guaranteed in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 1:20). For all our days, He’s the One we can count on.' [intouch.org]

It's a God Thing

     When we are in need, it takes both God's timing and the willingness of other's hearts to fill in.  'It's a God thing' that both of these came in to play for me these past two weeks.  My helper, Karla, has had to be off to help her family during this time.  My care could have easily fallen all on my parents shoulders.  Since Charlene retired recently, she has been a big help and eased the burden.  Also my friend's sister, Tori, who is here for the summer has been helping out too.
     What some may call good timing or coincidence, I say it's a God thing.  'It’s one thing to worship and praise God at church; it’s quite another to move out into the real world and worship Him through daily obedience.'  These two ladies have put 'love one another' into action by their service in helping me.

Faith

    'Yes, I know Who holds tomorrow and I know Who holds my hand.'  If we knew what tomorrow would bring, would we change it?  It is better to leave that in God's hands and just trust that He knows best.  'If He brings you to it, then He'll bring you through it.'
    Sin separated man from God in the Garden of Eden.  Thankfully, Jesus is our bridge that fills that gap for believers.  Faith is our bridge to our future.  We cannot foresee it but we can prepare for it.
    Faith doesn't make things easy but makes them possible.  'Faith is taking the first step, when you can't see the whole staircase.' Our faith is revealed by how we trust in what we cannot see.  2 Corinthians 5;7 ''We walk by faith, not by sight.''
    Is fear controlling your tomorrows or has faith set you free?

Be You

    How comfortable are you with yourself and how God made you?  There is probably something about each of us that we'd like to change and some of us may even have a list.  That's okay but does it control you?  Let's face it, the twenty year old body we once had was never intended to last a lifetime.  Diane Keaton often wears gloves because our hands are often one of the first areas that shows the signs of aging.  What are you hiding and who are you trying to please?
    I asked myself that question in Kohl's on Saturday.  I saw the cutest white and blue shirt that tied in front on a mannequin. I loved it but it was sleeveless.  I don't wear sleeveless because I don't think I have the arms for it.  Are my arms any different under a long sleeved shirt?  No, they are what they are.  So after a 5 minute debate, we stripped the mannequin and I bought the shirt.
    At what age do we start to care more about what others think than what we want?  I'm still a work in progress on this subject because I haven't worn shorts in several years but I did turn a few heads with my recent blue nail polish.
    Be you, because there's not another anywhere in this world.

A Spark

      Yesterday as Charlene came in the door, Tiger jumped off the bed and ran as fast as she could towards her direction.  I thought, 'wow, is she excited to see her or what?'  Well I'll tell you 'what' it was..... a lizard ran in my closet.  No, he's not the first and probably not the last.  So Charlene pulls out all of my shoes with Cara and Detective Tiger at her side in search for it.  No luck but several hours later he did run back out the door.  Yeah.
      Well this lizard incident did spark a fire to go thru my shoes and eliminate some.  I did get rid of 4 pair, one in the trash and three to pass on.  Can you have too many shoes?  Of course not.
      This caption above reminds us that each of us have our own purpose and journey to fulfill.  No one can do it for us.  Things can be replaced but people can't.  There is only one you so keep your shoes on the right path and wipe them clean of worldly dirt.

Belong To

    The other day somebody wrote 'Nobody loves the boy no more.'  Well, that's not true and unhealthy thoughts like these can spur on a pity party for one's self.  We must remember not to put our ultimte trust, faith and hope in our fellow man.  It is guaranteed to fail.  Sometimes we all feel like an afterthought by someone or not as high on the priority list as we think we should be.
    Two lessons can be learned from this type of trial in our lives.  First, that it's not all about me/you.  Life is busy and it often comes in waves of feast or famine.  We have to roll with the flow and give people in our lives allowances for time on other things.  Secondly, it's a give and take relationship.  We must give of our time and ourselves and not just wait and take of others.  It's a two way street and if you just go your way then you'll end up at a distance from others.
    So that's the earthly take on it but your Heavenly Father loves you always, believes you're more important than the sparrows He cares for and secures an eternal future for His children.  If you belong to the flock, your Shepherd will take care of you forever.

His Promises

Luke 1:45
''Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”


Psalm 119:140
''Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.''

Psalm 145:13
''Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.''  




   Even with verses to assure us, we are still vulnerable to doubt?  Like the song goes, 'Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.'  It is not easy to surrender your will to His but when you do then you can truly rest in His promises.
   When things are good and going your way it is easy to say 'Yes, God is good to me.'  When things go wrong or not like you think they should, we can too easily fall into Peter's way of thinking.  Luke 22:34  'Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”'  We say we wouldn't ever do that, but if push came to shove, we must confess we are so weak.  God gives us verses like these to renew and strengthen our faith so that when life throws us curveballs, we won't be knocked down.
    'When I am cast down in spirit and soul, He whispers sweet peace to me.'

It's a God Thing

     I believe that if you use what God gives you wisely, He will give you more..... and vice versa, as well.  When I worked in Missouri, I knew that you had to work 5 years to be vested.  Vested meant being able to receive long term benefits, like health insurance and disability.  Now it was never my goal to just work 5 years but that ended up being God's plan for me and my body's limit.
     'It's a God thing' that those benefits allow me to have my own money.  It allows me to support my church, different missionaries, and my shopping indulgences.  God knew that others would benefit, if He gave me the blessing to share.  As my body won't allow me to go on mission trips, that doesn't mean I don't have a part to play.  Financial support can spur many projects into a reality that may have seemed impossible.  I'm not saying I am able to give alot, but if we all gave what we could to support those who we believe in then the blessings would just multiply.
     Recently, I received a pamphlet in the mail about a new program to reimburse you for your health insurance.  Yes, I think it's crazy but it gives me more to 'pay it forward' with to others.  It's probably an Obama thing, I don't know, but God uses all things for His glory....and that's that.

Prayer

    What if all we got was what we prayed for?  Would your prayer time increase and have more thought put into it?  God gives us so much that we just take for granted and call normal.  It is often when we lose something that we see our needs from a new perspective.
    What you already have is on someone else's prayer list.  Prayer is the most important conversation of your day.  It is not just a request line but also a time to say thank you to the Giver of everything.  'The value of persistent prayer is not that He will hear us but that we will hear Him.'
    So if you're bitter about unanswered prayers, maybe God is waiting for you to be thankful and useful with what you've been given thus far.  Sometimes an unanswered prayer is the best blessing you could get.  Trust in Him, not yourself.

Offensive to Who?

     Who are you seeking to please?  We have spell check on our computers but do you wonder if we will ever have a 'politically correct' check someday too?  If you try to please everyone, you'll end up pleasing no one so it is best to please God above all.
      I think the ACLU is one institution that 'could' do alot of good but it has gone so far astray that it does more harm than good.  The right to be offended is often greater than the right to anything else.  Lawyers often use the term 'God-given rights' to take God's name or any Christ reference out of public places.  Does that not seem wrong to you?
     I warn you now that on Judgement Day, your only defense is Jesus Christ so take heed on Who you offend.

Too Busy

    Does being too busy bring out the devil in you?  If you're life is too rushed to be Christ-like in you're daily walk with others, then it's time to slow down.  I think this caption is a convicting one and may step on a few toes.  That is okay because God never intended us to be that busy.
    'Too busy for God, then you are Bound Under Satan's Yoke.'  It's all about priorities.  I think Jesus demonstrated this when He waited two days when hearing of Lazarus being sick.  John 11;6  ''So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”  There was no need to rush because God's timing is perfect.  The devil wants us to rush and be in a fuss.
    Is your rush to get somewhere more important than showing brotherly love?  Are driven by the clock or by the Holy Spirit?  Check your heart more than the clock and you'll arrive at your destination more at peace.