Anyone not living in a cave for the last thirty-plus years recognizes "The Dark Side" reference from the Star Wars© movies. Unfortunately, we generally fail to see the effect of the dark side on our daily lives. Very slight deviations away from the pathway to eternal life have added up over the years in such a way that we, in this country, are not aimed toward heaven at all, but at "some other destination" instead.
Our Lord has made it rather simple for us... "Jesus said unto him. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." MAT 22:37-39 (kjv)
James was inspired to express it thusly... "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." JAM 4:17 (kjv)
God made all we are, so we are to love Him with all we have. He also made everyone else, too, so we are expected to care about them as much as we care about ourselves. When you realize something is The Right Thing to Do, not doing it is a sin. Any slight "adjustments" we make away from this narrow path aims us away from God. As was said in those movies, "Beware The Dark Side!"
Monday, March 16, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Where do we start?
How do we fix what is wrong with America? I think that Psalm 6 is a good place to start.
"No, Lord! Don't punish me in the heat of your anger. Pity me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, for my body is sick, and I am upset and disturbed. My mind is filled with apprehension and with gloom. Oh, restore me soon. Come O Lord, and make me well. In your kindness save me. For if I die I cannot give you glory by praising you before my friends. I am worn out with pain; every night my pillow is wet with tears. My eyes are growing old and dim with grief because of all my enemies. Go, leave me now, you men of evil deeds, for the Lord has heard my weeping and my pleading. He will answer all my prayers. All my enemies shall be suddenly dishonored, terror-stricken, and disgraced. God will turn them back in shame." (tlb)
But, if all you do is pray, if you don't "put your money where your mouth is," then you've done nothing! Our country has become Satan's playground, and it seems to be joyously marching, arm-in-arm to perdition. We must do more than just ask God to fix things. We must act. Where possible, take God's word to the people. Some won't listen, but some just need to be told. Go to your politicians and inform them of your beliefs. Tell them to act in accordance with God's word. Sometimes, they just need to be reminded of whom it is they serve. If they cannot hear your voice, whose message gets through?
"No, Lord! Don't punish me in the heat of your anger. Pity me, O Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, for my body is sick, and I am upset and disturbed. My mind is filled with apprehension and with gloom. Oh, restore me soon. Come O Lord, and make me well. In your kindness save me. For if I die I cannot give you glory by praising you before my friends. I am worn out with pain; every night my pillow is wet with tears. My eyes are growing old and dim with grief because of all my enemies. Go, leave me now, you men of evil deeds, for the Lord has heard my weeping and my pleading. He will answer all my prayers. All my enemies shall be suddenly dishonored, terror-stricken, and disgraced. God will turn them back in shame." (tlb)
But, if all you do is pray, if you don't "put your money where your mouth is," then you've done nothing! Our country has become Satan's playground, and it seems to be joyously marching, arm-in-arm to perdition. We must do more than just ask God to fix things. We must act. Where possible, take God's word to the people. Some won't listen, but some just need to be told. Go to your politicians and inform them of your beliefs. Tell them to act in accordance with God's word. Sometimes, they just need to be reminded of whom it is they serve. If they cannot hear your voice, whose message gets through?
Enough is enough!
Every day someone says, "I can't believe what is happening to America! How did such a jerk get elected? God blessed America, how could He let these tragedies occur here?" or something fairly similar.
Jeremiah 7:26-28 says it clearly; "But they wouldn't listen to them or even try to hear. They are hard and stubborn and rebellious - worse even than their fathers were. Tell them everything that I will do to them, but don't expect them to listen. Cry out your warnings, but don't expect them to respond. Say to them: This is the nation that refuses to obey the Lord its God, and refuses to be taught. She continues to live a lie." (tlb)
As the song says; "God bless America, land that I love! Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above..." God has done His part, but we are failing badly on ours! We Christians have bought into the worldly view so much that it has become difficult to tell us from the ungodly. Our lifestyles are all but the same. We seek the same worldly rewards as do those who embrace Satan. Do we make any attempt to even slow the merciless killings of millions of the unborn? Have we ever protested the showing of filthy movies, or do we just say, "I won't go to see them" instead? Do we even write our elected officials, advising them of what we (supposedly) believe? It's all too easy to do nothing.
No wonder God says, "Enough is enough!"
Jeremiah 7:26-28 says it clearly; "But they wouldn't listen to them or even try to hear. They are hard and stubborn and rebellious - worse even than their fathers were. Tell them everything that I will do to them, but don't expect them to listen. Cry out your warnings, but don't expect them to respond. Say to them: This is the nation that refuses to obey the Lord its God, and refuses to be taught. She continues to live a lie." (tlb)
As the song says; "God bless America, land that I love! Stand beside her, and guide her, through the night with a light from above..." God has done His part, but we are failing badly on ours! We Christians have bought into the worldly view so much that it has become difficult to tell us from the ungodly. Our lifestyles are all but the same. We seek the same worldly rewards as do those who embrace Satan. Do we make any attempt to even slow the merciless killings of millions of the unborn? Have we ever protested the showing of filthy movies, or do we just say, "I won't go to see them" instead? Do we even write our elected officials, advising them of what we (supposedly) believe? It's all too easy to do nothing.
No wonder God says, "Enough is enough!"
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Who am I?
Who am I? I look at the awesome vastness of God's creation, and ask myself this question. From my perspective, I am just one small, insignificant speck in what appears to me to be an infinite universe.
Who am I? I'm not famous. I'm not rich. I am not a force to be reckoned with, in any field. I have no interest in holding political office, nor would I accept such a position were it offered. I can't sing. My eyesight is poor. There is nothing about me that anyone would envy, except a wonderful wife and some beautiful grandkids, and God alone gets the credit for these blessings.
Who am I? There are days that I feel great, that I am making a difference, that I am really doing what He wants. Other days, it seems as though every attempt I make is wasted. Poor health and age do their part in sapping my efforts, and I know Satan interferes wherever possible, making me feel unworthy to even try.
Who am I? One way or another, we have all asked this of ourselves at some time. How we answer depends upon our understanding the value our Creator sees in us. We mean so much to Him that He sent His Son to die in our place, for the crimes we've committed against Him! It would be impossible to accept, had He not told us so. And yet, the vast majority choose not to obey Him. Still, His love for us is so great that He will allow us to choose eternal damnation instead of an eternal reward.
So, when you ask yourself, "Who am I?" God has already given you His answer; "You are somebody worth dying for!" Live accordingly!
Who am I? I'm not famous. I'm not rich. I am not a force to be reckoned with, in any field. I have no interest in holding political office, nor would I accept such a position were it offered. I can't sing. My eyesight is poor. There is nothing about me that anyone would envy, except a wonderful wife and some beautiful grandkids, and God alone gets the credit for these blessings.
Who am I? There are days that I feel great, that I am making a difference, that I am really doing what He wants. Other days, it seems as though every attempt I make is wasted. Poor health and age do their part in sapping my efforts, and I know Satan interferes wherever possible, making me feel unworthy to even try.
Who am I? One way or another, we have all asked this of ourselves at some time. How we answer depends upon our understanding the value our Creator sees in us. We mean so much to Him that He sent His Son to die in our place, for the crimes we've committed against Him! It would be impossible to accept, had He not told us so. And yet, the vast majority choose not to obey Him. Still, His love for us is so great that He will allow us to choose eternal damnation instead of an eternal reward.
So, when you ask yourself, "Who am I?" God has already given you His answer; "You are somebody worth dying for!" Live accordingly!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Where did the magic go?
You bought that new car you've been wanting. It has everything; built-in entertainment system, rich Corinthian leather interior, auto-parking, whatever... Three years and 50,000 miles later it has become "the old jalopy."
You married the "perfect" spouse, the man or woman of your dreams. He makes a ton of money and can bench-press a Lincoln Town Car. She is a "beauty-queen", an absolute 12 on a 1-10 scale, and can cook anything Betty Crocker ever dreamed up. Five to eight years, a couple of kids, and some "disagrements" later, he/she has become the other half, the "ball and chain," or maybe just a tax deduction.
You met God, came to realize your need for, and you accepted, salvation. You were on fire for God, wanted to bring the whole world to Christ, wanted to bring Him a return on His "talent." A few years later you've become a "most Sundays" church-goer. Give what's affordable, attend when its convenient, but leave me alone, otherwise.
Where did the magic go?
"Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature. Stop lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves. If you are angry, don't sin by nursing your grudge. Don't let the sun go down with you still angry - get over it quickly. For when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil." EPH 4:23-27 (tlb)
Our relationship with God is a result of what WE do, and don't do. If we are to keep this relationship alive, we must put forth the effort. God's love is never-ending. He never defaults on His part of the bargain.
A married couple must both put forth the effort, each remembering how much the other really means, and should always mean.
As for the car, keep it, trade it, or junk it.
You married the "perfect" spouse, the man or woman of your dreams. He makes a ton of money and can bench-press a Lincoln Town Car. She is a "beauty-queen", an absolute 12 on a 1-10 scale, and can cook anything Betty Crocker ever dreamed up. Five to eight years, a couple of kids, and some "disagrements" later, he/she has become the other half, the "ball and chain," or maybe just a tax deduction.
You met God, came to realize your need for, and you accepted, salvation. You were on fire for God, wanted to bring the whole world to Christ, wanted to bring Him a return on His "talent." A few years later you've become a "most Sundays" church-goer. Give what's affordable, attend when its convenient, but leave me alone, otherwise.
Where did the magic go?
"Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature. Stop lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves. If you are angry, don't sin by nursing your grudge. Don't let the sun go down with you still angry - get over it quickly. For when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil." EPH 4:23-27 (tlb)
Our relationship with God is a result of what WE do, and don't do. If we are to keep this relationship alive, we must put forth the effort. God's love is never-ending. He never defaults on His part of the bargain.
A married couple must both put forth the effort, each remembering how much the other really means, and should always mean.
As for the car, keep it, trade it, or junk it.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thanks, God!
Sometimes it helps to remember all that we are thankful for. I have the sweetest wife God ever made, and some incredibly beautiful grandchildren. (Thanks, God) I have a church family that cares more than any other I've seen. (Thanks, God) Whenever I return home, my old dog is overjoyed to see me. (Thanks, God) A number of health problems are temporarily in abeyance. (Thanks, God) Though in the Army, my youngest son does not seem to be headed for a war-zone. (Thanks, God) This winter has, as yet, been fairly mild. My joints sigh with relief. (Thanks, God) Instead of hibernating, happy little squirrels scamper about my yard looking for lost acorns. (Thanks, God) A recent plane crash into the Hudson River resulted in no loss of life. (Thanks, God) Countless number of terrible events have not taken place. (Thanks, God) Yesterday, I watched a sunset being painted across the evening sky. (Thanks, God)
This morning, after a relatively pain-free evening, I awoke to a fantastic sunrise.
(God just told me, "You're welcome.")
This morning, after a relatively pain-free evening, I awoke to a fantastic sunrise.
(God just told me, "You're welcome.")
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
All are our children - part 3
- others -
What others? Grandchildren, nieces, nephews, adoptees, foster children, neighbors, students and add-ons can depend upon us to fill in for biological parents. It can occasionally occur with kids we don't even know, for example, a lost child at the supermarket.
These children are usually not related to us, and with the exception of adoptees, any relationship we may have is temporary. A youngster may merely need someone to supply short-term emotional support. Regardless of the circumstances, if you become a kid's "hero," you MUST live up to the image! He (or she) must be more protected with you, than even would be the case with the natural parents. At the same time, you must be a padded cage, invisible to the child, that separates that child from you, as well as from any potential harmful elements. The kid's safety MUST be PARAMOUNT!
Our society does not make this easy. It seems that abusing children has become the accepted norm in this evil world. You cannot stop all of it, but you can help to insulate the ones in your care from such abuse. Keep being the hero! God is counting on you!
Jesus told us, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (MAT 19:14) KJV
If we do not help protect all children from all harm, then we are no better than those who intend to do them harm!
Remember, they are all our children! Every last one belongs to, and is precious to, our Lord.
With your help, we'll get to see them all again, in Paradise!
Mr Mike
What others? Grandchildren, nieces, nephews, adoptees, foster children, neighbors, students and add-ons can depend upon us to fill in for biological parents. It can occasionally occur with kids we don't even know, for example, a lost child at the supermarket.
These children are usually not related to us, and with the exception of adoptees, any relationship we may have is temporary. A youngster may merely need someone to supply short-term emotional support. Regardless of the circumstances, if you become a kid's "hero," you MUST live up to the image! He (or she) must be more protected with you, than even would be the case with the natural parents. At the same time, you must be a padded cage, invisible to the child, that separates that child from you, as well as from any potential harmful elements. The kid's safety MUST be PARAMOUNT!
Our society does not make this easy. It seems that abusing children has become the accepted norm in this evil world. You cannot stop all of it, but you can help to insulate the ones in your care from such abuse. Keep being the hero! God is counting on you!
Jesus told us, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (MAT 19:14) KJV
If we do not help protect all children from all harm, then we are no better than those who intend to do them harm!
Remember, they are all our children! Every last one belongs to, and is precious to, our Lord.
With your help, we'll get to see them all again, in Paradise!
Mr Mike
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