tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287137323762216422024-03-05T06:42:17.280-05:00Managing the Unmanageable.Living, Learning and Loving by God's Grace. The true manager of all things.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-5394287186428373832013-07-14T14:08:00.000-04:002013-07-14T14:08:13.312-04:00W.W.J.D. -1990's Nostalgia or Ageless Relevance?I think most people over the age of 30 years old can remember the 90's. It was during that time, particularly, in the Evangelical Community. It was a time of Rebirth, Renewal and Revival, a time of 'Show and Tell' to the Nation and even the World; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_would_Jesus_do%3F">'What Would Jesus Do' aka 'WWJD'. </a><br />
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We were admonished to look beyond our own understanding and ideas and grasp the undeniable wisdom and power of Jesus the Christ; who was and yet is the true barometer of all life's situations, issues and problems. T-shirts, hats, bracelets and signs were in abundance; reminding not only the Believer, but the Unbeliever as well to think and ask themselves when faced with a decision...WWJD? <br />
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Mistreated, WWJD?<br />
Lied on, WWJD?<br />
Passed over, WWJD?<br />
Talked about, WWJD? <br />
Lead astray, WWJD?<br />
Bamboozled, WWJD?<br />
Hoodwinked, WWJD?<br />
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It was the purpose, in the 90's, to become more Christ-like everyday of our lives and not just merely on Sunday mornings or Mid-week Bible Studies. It was great...for a time, but unfortunately like any and all campaigns, slogans and fads; it dissipated and we went back to doing and thinking the way of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime:_What_Would_You_Do%3F">Primetime: What Would You Do?</a>; which in a nut shell is a show based on the actions and in certain cases, in actions of what people would or would not do. The morality and common decency of individuals are placed on display, and rarely if ever their spirituality.<br />
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Have we become so morally astute today; that we no longer need nor require to mimic the lessons learned from the Life of Jesus? Have we progressed so far in our wisdom and understanding; that we no longer need <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jam&c=1&t=KJV#comm/5">James 1:5?</a><br />
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Are our buttons, hats, t-shirts and bracelets now sitting on display, with our trophies of yesteryear, to be shown, with a sense of nostalgic pride mind you, to our children and grandchildren of a time when we use to ask and think 'WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?' <br />
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Or, will we revive again the revelation; that we can do it His way, we can think of it His way, we can say it His way, and most importantly, we can live it His way...<br />
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Whatever your circumstance, whatever your situation. There is a better way! <br />
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The question is: W.W.J.D.- 1990's Nostalgia or Ageless Relevance?<br />
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My answer: <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Hbr&c=13&t=KJV#8">Hebrews 13:8</a><br />
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Blessings!<br />
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I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-47097456269580914672012-09-04T17:20:00.000-04:002012-09-04T17:20:42.109-04:00If we had Faith for That, do we have Faith for This?I recently delivered a sermon entitled: 'We had Faith for That, but do we have Faith for This'. The title of the sermon is based around the story of a man by the name of Jairus; which is found in Mark 5 (new testament by the way {smile}). <br />
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The story opens with this man, who is said to have been a leader in one of the local synagogues, coming and bowing himself at the feet of Jesus asking, perhaps pleading with Jesus to come to his home and heal his daughter; who was "at the point of death". And, as this story progresses (after the "on the way to jairus' house miracle with the woman with the issue of blood") someone comes from Jairus' home with news that his daughter has died. One of the more interesting statements in this story are the words spoken by the individual from Jairus' home; when he said: "your daughter is dead, so why bother the Master any further". <br />
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It was that very statement which caused me to really pause and wonder, "why would he say that?" As I thought about what may have taken place at Jairus' home prior to him going to find Jesus, and pleading for Him to come to his home and heal his daughter. Could there have been a discussion with those in the home, and did the discussion include trusting what has been said and done by Jesus to date, and could this have been the discussion that prompted Jairus to seek out Jesus?<br />
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I can imagine everyone who was there in the home at the time of Jairus' departure were all on the same page; believing that this Jesus could in fact 'Heal' the daughter of Jairus. They had the Faith for That! However, when the daughter died before Jairus returned with Jesus; the Faith for her healing was now a moot point.<br />
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As you read the story and the word is given that his daughter was now dead, and don't worry about bringing the Master to your home, because it's now pointless, Jesus immediately speaks to Jairus and tells him not to be afraid, only believe.<br />
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Those very words spoken to Jairus over 2000 years ago are just as applicable to us today. We are able to find our story when reading about Jairus. There isn't many of us who have sought the Lord, in Faith, for a situation and while waiting for the Lord to come to our aide; that situation worsened. And, if you allow me to be transparent for a moment (only a moment). When my situation worsened, I immediately thought to myself, 'Well, that's that...' And, it was as if the Lord, Himself spoke to me as He did to Jairus, and said, "Don't be afraid, only Believe."<br />
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I realized that I no longer needed to have a Bazillion different levels of Faith, but rather only one level of Faith and that is Faith in Him.<br />
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As long as we are human, we will frequently run into these types of moments. And, when we do I would that we remember the words spoken to Jairus...Don't Be Afraid, Only Believe.<br />
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The answer to the question is simple: "If we had Faith for That, do we have Faith for This?" Answer: Yes<br />
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I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-61309008916764558692010-05-30T09:36:00.002-04:002010-05-30T10:17:39.333-04:00Give it a little more time...As a preacher of the Gospel, I have had the idea that at a certain point one should be at a certain place and doing "A", "B", "C". I mean this is what is said without being said by those who are of the same vocation I am, and yet there are those of us who haven't measured up to the said status quo, and this is tends to give me fits more than anything else. Why have I not...? What is it that...? When do I...?<br /><br />There is a parable Jesus used in <a href="http://http//www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=13&t=NLT">Luke 13:6-9</a>, and I know this maybe a bit of a stretch to use this passage of scripture to show my point but if you bare with me I think you'll get what I'm saying, or at least I hope you do. Jesus was telling us about a man who planted a fig tree in his vineyard and after coming to see if the tree had produced any figs he didn't find any, so he told the gardener to cut the tree down. The gardener; who in this case is a representation of Jesus, tells the owner to wait just a little while longer and let him, the gardener, spend more time with the tree, and if after a time it doesn't still produce then OK we'll cut it down but if it does then it's all good.<br /><br />This parable help me to understand that though the status quo says, "...at this stage in the game you should be here and if you aren't then..." that there are times when certain 'trees' aren't going to bring forth fruit right away and that it's going to take just a little more time perhaps than most, but as long as I'm in the hands of the Gardener I know that I will continue to receive the proper nutrients necessary to promote the growth needed to bare the fruit required to feed those in need.<br /><br />Have you produced fruit at every stage in your development? What parable or passage of scripture have you found beneficial in helping you produce?I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-2559431087493804892010-05-16T11:21:00.004-04:002010-05-16T13:07:58.895-04:00Open or Closed; Which Mind?I have been thinking a lot about the idea of one being Open or Closed minded, and how often I hear the words used in more arguments than I care to attempt to list in this post, because if I did the post would be nothing more than a list of arguments from: interracial relationships to sexual preferences to political beliefs, etc.<br /><br />So, what is it to be either open minded or closed minded?<br /><br />Open minded: 1. Having or showing a mind receptive to new ideas or arguments. 2. unprejudiced, unbigoted, impartial.<br /><br />Closed minded: Having a mind firmly unreceptive to new ideas or arguments.<br /><br />My position has in years past been one of a closed mind, because I was under the false pretence that if I showed a willingness to listen to points of view that were different from what I was familiar or accustomed would give an impression of agreement or alignment with the opposing belief of whatever subject being discussed. I've later come to realize that I was unable to effectively dialogue if I wasn't willing to be receptive.<br /><br />It is through our willingness to be open minded that we are able to filter all of the presented argument and solely on speculation or hearsay which promulgated out of ignorance, fear or indifference.<br /><br />The scriptures teach us to reason together, and in the midst of reasoning there must be an openness and it is through this openness can we Narrow in on Truth.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-54311927162475656712009-11-30T09:00:00.000-05:002009-11-30T15:37:46.300-05:00'Hello? Can You Hear Me Now?'I have to admit...I have, what some would consider, selective hearing. i don't mean to have it all the time, but for some reason it seems to manifest, (that's a very spiritual word we like to throw around in the Pentecostal churches to show our deepness), when I'm being asked, by the Mrs., to do something around the house or going to the store. I have a type of sixth sense when it comes to these things and because I really don't want to them right away, my hearing is switched to the selective slot and pretty much every third word is heard.<br /><br />example:<br />wife: Hey, honey I need for you to go to the store before the game.<br /><br />what I heard: Hey...I need(meaning she needs)...to go...before the game.<br />my response: Ok.<br /><br />I know I'm not alone with this type of affliction, (another pentecostal word), which seems to the only affliction no one wishes to be free of anytime soon.<br /><br />I was thinking about the importance of hearing, and how our very safety is determined by what we can or what we have heard. The announcement by flight attendants, the sound of a fire alarm, instructions by tour guides, scuba instructors, etc. When we ignore what we are hearing could change the very course of our lives for the better or for the worse.<br /><br />The scriptures tell us; that only the those who belong to the Lord know what His voice sounds like and that a stranger they won't follow. So, how is it that we sometimes get side tracked? I believe it is because of a couple of things:<br /><br />1. What we are hearing the Lord speak to us at that time isn't as satisfying to us as is what we are feeling. We allow what we feel to override what we know we hear. The example to this being, Issac in the 27th chapter of Genesis. Issac knew what he heard was the voice of Jacob, but he allowed what he felt with hands to fool him.<br /><br />2. We are side tracked because we blatantly refuse to hear what is being said. Because we fail to listen to the instruction of a test in school we fail the test. the Lord told Adam not to even touch a certain tree in the garden of Eden (Gen 2:15-17), but Adam ignored what the Lord had said; which brought about the fall of man.<br /><br />I believe that our hearing whether natural or spiritual is perhaps the most important of all our senses, and that it has to be very important to God as well. The scriptures record verses like: "he that has an ear to hear...", "faith comes by hearing...". There were times in my youth when they use to check our hearing at school and when I received my first drivers license, a persons hearing was important.<br /><br />Hello? Can you hear me now?I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-10317232185917966872009-11-26T09:00:00.001-05:002009-11-26T11:42:52.704-05:00Give Thanks!Happy Thanksgiving to all. Let's not just be thankful on this day we have turned into a 'National Holiday'. It has always been the teaching of the scriptures for all believers to be 'Thankful' everyday of our lives. 1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.<br /><br />I'm thankful.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-22469024818127768402009-11-22T13:33:00.002-05:002009-11-22T14:05:35.185-05:00'Better 1 or Better 2'I happen to be one of those persons who has been destined to wear corrective lenses for the rest of my life; unless of course the Lord sees fit to miraculously heal my eyesight to where I would never need them ever again.<br /><br />I recently had a birthday and one of the things I did for my birthday was to go to the eye doctor and have my vision checked, as I do every year. Now, mind you I have been wearing glasses and or contacts since before the 80's were the 80's; which as you can see has been a very long time.<br /><br />As Dr. Henry, who is now my new optometrist, was going through the normal preliminary Q & A it got me to thinking about the entire process one has to go through during the exam. So, as Dr. Henry was going through the different checks he finally got to that one point we all can identify with; which is where he starts flipping the lenses and asks, 'Better 1 or Better 2'. All the while making what you are looking at more clearer with every flip, until he has gotten to where you can see 20/20. Dr. Henry, is one of those doctors who is not satisfied until his patient is able to see to what the science of optometry says is perfect.<br /><br />My experience with the eye doctor brings me to the story in 8th chapter of the book of Mark; when Jesus comes to Bethsaida and people bring a blind man to Him to be healed. The scriptures tell us how Jesus took the man and spit in his eyes and laid His hands on him and then asked him if he could see, but the man reported to Jesus that yes, indeed he could see but what he saw wasn't a clear, unhindered view. So, the scriptures say that Jesus touches him again and then when asked the second time, the man said he could see everything clearly.<br /><br />Just as our optometrists wants to be sure we are able to see to the point of 20/20 vision; the Lord wants us to see not only physically 20/20, but 20/20 spiritually and will not leave us seeing men as trees, but as we should see one another clearly and without any interference.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-25215863281914638532009-10-14T20:12:00.004-04:002009-10-14T21:50:36.250-04:00Where are we really headed?I remember television with only three channels, and the stations actually went off the air after a certain hour with the weird looking test patterns on the screen. I remember commercials of the Wrigles Spearmint Gum; you remember don't you..."Double your pleasure double your fun".<br /><br />This commercial in my opinion was the beginning of the use of sex appeal to sell and advertise products companies wanted us to buy. Of course they stopped advertising cigs on television, but started pushing sex instead. Then it moved to television programming; where went from no cursing at all to a mild form and now today there is practically no boundaries on language whatsoever.<br /><br />I just saw a sitcom on television which the gist of the whole episode was about going out and having a one stand with someone for the sake of having a one night stand...Where are we really headed?<br /><br />Where are the so-called religious types who are so quick to jump on a political band wagon, or the unacceptable practice of discrimination, but nothing is preached in our pulpits, crusades or conferences. Instead, we hear how if we give the right amount of money we can get God to do what we want Him to do for us...Where are we really headed?<br /><br />Have we become so jaded with the way things have developed over the years that we just sit back and say to ourselves, 'well people are going to do what they want'...Where are we headed?<br /><br />Our destinations for the most part are based upon our own individual decisions, but the way we live our lives will influence others to follow in the direction we are headed. The scriptures tell us that the way to destruction is very wide and broad and there will be a lot who will go that way, but the way to life is small and the path is narrow, and only a few will find it.<br /><br />Are we going with everyone else, or are we going with The One?I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-70521975550581096312009-10-12T23:13:00.002-04:002009-10-12T23:20:35.868-04:00My Friend ZI'm asking those of you who read this blog post to please pray for my friend Z; who's husband the Lord called home. The word says to us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and I have no doubts; that this is where Mr. Z is today.<br /><br />You and your family are loved and I pray; that the Peace of God which passes all understanding take residence in all of your hearts and minds, in Jesus' name, Amen.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-71558195321382254652009-10-10T20:59:00.003-04:002009-10-10T22:15:50.671-04:00A Second Opinion...I can't really remember to many instances growing up ever hearing those words being uttered in my presence; whether at home, school, church nor on the television. But, that was then and this is definitely now, and it seems you can't even listen to good radio program without someone on the program or one of their sponsors extolling the importance of getting a Second Opinion.<br /><br />Understand, I am in agreement with most who say that having a Second Opinion is a good thing and makes it a little easier for people to decide on the courses of actions they will attempt to take, but in the same token a Second Opinion has been known to send persons off into the wrong direction with serious and sometimes fatal results.<br /><br />So, what do we do? Should we go throughout our lives without ever asking for Second Opinions ever again, or do we figure up some sort of mathematical formula to help us decide when to ask for a Second Opinion? There is a passage of scripture in the Bible which speaks of a place of safety, Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. This speaks of decisions one could make and without the proper guidance the individual is destined to fail, and it isn't enough that you have a lot of people telling and giving you their opinions; the scripture is referring to 'wise' or knowledgeable persons; those familiar with the subject matter.<br /><br />So, why do we yet ask for Second Opinions if the counsel we receive is wise and very knowledgeable? I believe it is because we as a people really have stopped taking words given in wisdom for granted. We look to be soothed and if what is being said doesn't make us all warm and fuzzy or make us feel as we are the 'cats meow' then we look for someone else's opinion.<br /><br />This, sadly, is what has been taken place inside the very churches we tell people to come to and have your life changed by a Lord and Saviour who can do the impossible, and then once we have them inside we give them exactly what they were getting before they came, and teaching them to rely on their own abilities to make it happen. Yeah, God is omnipotent and all that, but here's a formula and steps to get the husband you want or the wife you are looking.<br /><br />We have come to read the scriptures and understand what they are saying to us, and how that the Lord of the scriptures is calling for a holy people to walk in the paths He has designated for them to walk...we instead with our actions to the contrary have said to the Lord, "Can I get a Second Opinion".I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-30042427514318667132009-10-10T01:19:00.002-04:002009-10-10T01:33:30.627-04:00Happy AnniversaryWell, it has now officially one year ago on, October 9, 2008; that I started writing this blog. To say that it has been somewhat challenging is a rather obvious understatement, and I guess with all the different things going on in my life this past year which added to the distraction of writing instead of enhancing; I got a little/lot side-tracked. But, I take full responsibility for the lack of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">commitment</span> on my part to this blog, and if the few of you who actually take the time to read some of the things I've written; I beg your indulgence yet a little while more as I gear up for year two.<br /><br />There are a lot more topics I would like to explore this coming year and some of the subject matter discussed this coming year will cover pretty much everything, and we'll look at it through different lenses and see how they measure up with looking at them through the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lens</span> of scripture.<br /><br />So... Let's get ready to "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Blogumble</span>"!<br /><br />Blessings.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-30301650179398063672009-06-18T14:23:00.002-04:002009-06-18T14:39:57.080-04:00"What's the difference"I've been doing some thinking again and just want to throw out something and hopefully get a nice discussion going.<br /><br />As believers we are taught to trust God for pretty much everything in our lives; from the schools to attend, the jobs to take or not to take, and how could I forget the big one...who to marry. We also are being taught at the same time by our parents, relatives, friends, teachers, etc. on how to live and be successful.<br /><br />Here is the set up: We are taught in the church; that gambling is a sin and that we shouldn't do it i.e. poker, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">roulette</span>, dice and even the lottery. We are told we don't trust God if we do these types of things in order to capitalize on our money.<br /><br />Here's the question: If the above things are wrong and sinful; then what's the difference with those things and playing the stock market?<br /><br />Let's talk about it all.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-45961489299366790472009-06-09T10:00:00.000-04:002009-06-09T13:46:07.484-04:00"Don't Be Dashboard or Back Window Christian"I know I'm not the only who's seen the individuals driving down the road and as they pass you; there in the back window is a Bible or maybe you've walked to your own vehicle and have noticed the car backed in next to yours and there on the dashboard on the driver side is a Bible.<br /><br />Now, a Bible in the back window or on the dashboard isn't necessarily a good or bad thing simply because one doesn't know to whom the Bible belongs. One doesn't know if the Bible is even removed from the vehicle at all, and you can pretty much gauge how long it has sat there by the coloring of the outer cover.<br /><br />The Bible on the dashboard or in the back window only gives an assumption of the Christian-ness of the person or persons in the vehicle. The same I think can be said of the individual who is quick to quote a scripture or the one who says God bless you or states they go to church every Sunday. I drove past a church and on the sign it read: 'You preach a better sermon with your life than you could with your mouth'.<br /><br />I believe we should be more than the Bible on the dashboard or the one in the back window; which only brings speculation to whether or not we are TRUE believers. But, rather we should be living epistles who not only read the Word but most importantly we live the Word, and in doing this I believe we truly fulfill the will of the Lord.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-57322832815268757272009-06-03T11:00:00.000-04:002009-06-03T15:35:00.904-04:00"Don't forget to Tow someone else"Have you ever taken the time to notice that there is a tow truck for every type vehicle size and one for any application? I have seen the everyday run of the mill tow truck that can hook-up the majority of cars with no problem whatsoever; whether they are flatbed tow trucks or the regular type. They even have the 'stealth' type tow trucks like the ones on the 'Tru TV' series 'Operation Repo'; where the tow-bar isn't seen until the last moment and then flips out the back like a very agile 'super ninja' (see Matt I can do it too) and they scoop up the car to be repossessed and off they go.<br /><br />Then there's the type tow trucks made to go into parking structures without getting wedged or a bunch of damage to the parking structure itself, and of course there's the behemoth of tow trucks; that seems to be able to tow a small mid-west farm town with no problem whatsoever.<br /><br />What do tow trucks have to do with the bible or anything else for that matter; well I'm glad you ask. The concept of the tow truck is to carry another vehicle from one point to another. The reasons for said carrying varies from situation to situation but the end result is the same...a vehicle is carried.<br /><br />Jesus, had a conversation with Peter letting him what the enemies plans were for him and how he looked to "disable" him as it were, but Jesus went on to tell Peter, "but I have prayed that your Faith fail not". He didn't tell Peter he wouldn't be sifted or tried but that when these things happen the pray was for his Faith to remain in tack, and once Peter was back on the road again; Jesus told him to strengthen or build up your brothers.<br /><br />We all find our selves from time to time on the side of the road of life seemingly broken down and disabled with no one to come to our aid or assistance, but if you have a prayer-phone handy in just a little while the Lord will send aid your way. They will assess your particular situation and determine whether you need towing or if it can be remedied right there, but if towing is needed there is no limit to the distance.<br /><br />I remember what it's like to have to be towed because I wasn't able to continue, but once towed and then having the proper restoration completed I was able to continue. So, as I travel and as you travel in this we call life; don't forget to render aid to those who are seemingly stranded, whether on the highway of life or in the parking decks of self-pity...Don't forget to Tow someone else.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-3724508838438822472009-05-26T10:00:00.000-04:002009-05-26T16:17:16.320-04:00"I'm stepping out on Faith...Just stop it!"I was having a conversation with a relative of mine, I do that from time to time, and as we were speaking the conversation went in another direction just out of the blue, because they do that when we talk. Suffice it to say the conversation now took on a whole other feel from one of casual banter between two relatives with equal abilities of sarcasm to one of total and abject hostility towards the new discussion we found ourselves engrossed in thanks to them.<br /><br /><br /><br />Now, allow me to give a little background of my relative and I. We both have a deep and abiding love for the Body of Christ i.e. believers in the Lord Jesus. And, we share our experiences with one another on the day to day experiences we have with believers as well as with non-believers. The latter being the bulk of conversation and how the Lord allow us to be able to come into contact with someone during the course of the day and able to show forth some grace to them and thanking God how some doors were then opened to share the Gospel in some small way.<br /><br /><br /><br />However, this days conversation turned toward believers and their ideas of what they call walking in faith or as my title says: stepping out on faith. I guess the best way to describe is with analogy:<br />Me: Hey where you going, I thought you said you didn't have any gas?<br /><br />Them: I don't, but I'm stepping out on Faith that the Lord will get me there and back.<br /><br />Me: *telephone rings* Hello...Yeah, I'll be there in a little while; just let me go by the gas station first.<br /><br />I hope this makes clear what I'm trying to say about some of these "stepping out on faith" decisions. Once explained a lot of them are nothing more than the desires of the individual trying to spiritualize their decision which turns out to be nothing more than running out of gas unnecessarily.<br /><br />So, let's all stop and ask ourselves the most important question we can ask ourselves before taking this leap into "stepping out on faith" which is: Is this what God is telling me to do or is this what I want to do? Everything we do shouldn't be lumped under the umbrella of faith when it comes to the decisions we choose to make because the scriptures tell us faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; which is solely based off of what the Lord has spoken and not just on what we desire because all our desires may not be in line with God's Will for our lives.<br /><br />Have you ever "stepped out on faith"? Have you ever "stepped out on faith" and it wasn't what God wanted?I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-50356184050925200722009-05-19T12:07:00.002-04:002009-05-19T13:07:03.527-04:00"What's the impression we give?"I was reading the scriptures and I had noticed something interesting when Peter had followed Jesus after they took him from the garden how someone said he (Peter) was with him because of the way he spoke, and again in the Book of Acts; Peter and John was taken notice of by the Sadducees by their boldness and how they had been with Jesus.<br /><br />The same is said about the people one deals with every single day. We all have heard the sayings of 'birds of a feather' and 'lay down with dogs you'll come up with fleas'. These sayings are depicting the types of persons one has relationships with and the characterization are the means by which people identify you.<br /><br />So, it should come as no surprise when you say one thing about how close you are with the Lord and everything about which people see and hear come from your mouth is how close you are with the other fella...you know the devil. This happens when you are merely a passer-by and not a resident of the Word of God.<br /><br />Let's strive to become permanent residences of the Kingdom and take on the recognizable signs of being a part of that Kingdom.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-4821516863051461222009-05-14T10:55:00.003-04:002009-05-14T16:04:34.480-04:00"Driveway or Highway Bridge?"Have you ever seen how some driveways made when they use concrete? And, have you seen the work that goes into making highway bridges? Well, I was contemplating on these two things and I have found that all concrete isn't the same.<br /><br />Although, concrete may look the same to the untrained eye, I like the way that sounds because it gives the illusion that I have a trained eye when it comes to concrete; which I don't but I know a guy and my guy told me about the differences in laymen terms of course.<br /><br />The driveway and the highway bridge both start out with the necessary forms to pour the concrete into in order to get the shape desired. The driveway, however for the most part when the concrete is poured that's all there is to it. The only thing left to do is the smoothing of the concrete to remove any rough spots or jagged peeks and points. The highway bridge starts with forms as well, however inside their forms are steel rods called re barb, and also there are steel beams, and as I stated earlier there is a different consistency to the concrete which allows it to dry more firm when the concrete is poured.<br /><br />Once the driveway is complete you can drive on it, but there is a limit to how much weight should be on it. When something is placed on the driveway which exceeds the weight limit it will cause the driveway to crack and give way. However, the highway bridge is not only designed to handle a great amount of weight it also is built into the structure a type of spring mechanism; which when the weight is exerted on the bridge; the bridge tends to give a little allowing for the weight and then it springs back to it's original position.<br /><br />The question today is; what type of believer are you? Are you the driveway saint which was built in an afternoon and now some of the cares of this life can park in your life with little difficulties, but when the full weight is applied you tend to crumble and break apart? You have the form of godliness but no power to hold you together. Are you the highway bridge saint, which has been meticulously worked out from the leveling of the surrounding areas to the forms which houses the spiritual re barb that holds steadfastly to the concrete/Rock. And, when the cares, situations and struggles come you are able to bear up under them and spring back into position once the pressures have past.<br /><br />So, which have you been lately?I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-67946454392578391252009-05-04T10:58:00.006-04:002009-05-04T14:06:05.074-04:00"Restoration By the Book"There are countless types of restoration projects one could engage themselves, and they seem to vary from project to project as to difficulty.<br /><br />I have watched some shows on television that show the restoration of cars, homes, motorcycles and a few others. The one thing I don't recall them showing is how they went about restoring the project by the book, but they have taken the viewers through the process step by step.<br /><br />I have seen the results of some restoring projects first hand where they did a seemingly good job, but as you inspect the work more closely one tends to find slight inconsistencies that shouldn't be and had they gone strictly by the book these inconsistencies would not have occurred.<br /><br />Sadly, this tends to be the case with some believers who are driven by some unseen force to "Fix" everyone they come into contact and seems to be showing some sign of fault. They begin working on persons in the fold and have on the surface helped the individual through whatever the issue or situation. However, as one begins to watch it becomes very apparent the person is no more better than they were in the beginning.<br /><br />Galatians 6:1 tells us when we see an individual overtaken in a fault; then as we are led by the spirit, we are to restore the individual back to a proper place in God. And, furthermore we should consider the fact that we could very well be in the same position.<br /><br />Helping bring someone back into a right standing with God is a mandate we all have as believers, but we are to do it...By the Book.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-452982855772895202009-04-30T12:00:00.000-04:002009-04-30T15:18:19.049-04:00"Re-alignments are necessary"It has been 21 days since my last post; which if I was trying to overly spiritual I could say, "I have been away for three weeks...One week for the Father, one week for the Son and one week for the Holy Ghost. Now, once I had put it out there like that I could follow-up with how it has been such a interesting time I had with communing with the Lord and listening to all He was saying to me during this time is truly beyond any words I could even begin to muster.<br /><br />The truth being I have, on my own, stepped away from my writing for a while in order to re-evaluate myself and the message I've attempted to put out into cyber-space. What I found quite surprising was how I had begun to place expectations on myself that the Lord had never once mentioned. So, I had to as they say, do some soul searching; not because I was in danger of being lost but more because I was in danger of losing sight of the direction He has for me.<br /><br />I believe we all have the moments of what I consider misalignment, and what I mean is this: When we purchase a new car and begin to drive it here and there we sometimes without warning hit bumps in the road we didn't see and over time those bumps begin to manipulate the alignment of the vehicle at which point we need to take it the shop and have it realigned. Depending how long we drove the vehicle once it was out of alignment the greater the time it will take to bring it back into alignment.<br /><br />Peter when he began to walk on the water to Jesus; took his eyes off of Jesus and began to sink, but immediately cried out to the Lord for help and Jesus lifted Peter back up. The same Peter when the disciples were in the Upper Room with Jesus was told by the Lord to strengthen the Brothers once he was converted.<br /><br />So, I'm looking to strengthen the believers when I say, it is possible to lose sight of things when your attention is redirected by the external circumstances, however know this for a certainty the very God in whom we serve is faithful to His word. The winds will continue to blow and the heathens shall continue to rage, but most importantly God will continue to be God. Self-help books are good in their place but we are to heed the writing of Paul when he said: <strong><em>Brethern, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13,14 </em></strong><br /><br />Have you experienced misalignment? What were you're signs?I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-83355752259834313452009-04-09T12:54:00.002-04:002009-04-09T15:33:07.910-04:00"Prep Time"I have come to realize in a very real way what it is to be the one people were expecting to step forward and address any number of situations and circumstances they themselves were incapable of dealing with. It's not that they aren't in a nutshell incapable, but more they lack the ability from the lack of one thing or another which for the most part comes down to preparation.<br /><br />I've learned late in life the benefit of being prepared. Yes, I've mentioned in earlier posts how I was athletic and so on, but it wasn't until much later that I realized all the practices we had were more than just getting us ready for the next game; it was preparing for every possible scenario the game would produce.<br /><br />We were victorious because of the many hours of preparation, and now we are standing on the eve of yet another Easter Celebration. And, it is with this thought I am now more appreciative of not only the sacrifice my Lord made for us, but the preparation He went through getting there. With it being what they call; Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday we look back to commemorate those things He did with his disciples, and hopefully we take heed to the example set by Him in that upper room during that last supper.<br /><br />Are we spending enough 'Prep Time' for the Lord's service or are we merely making ourselves ready for our services?I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-47625589065041769452009-04-01T12:00:00.004-04:002009-04-01T18:14:10.106-04:00"What If He Said It To You...It's Not You...It's Me"I have heard a whole lot of different reasons people use to tell some else why they don't want to be with the other person any longer. There is the 'I just think we need some time a part to see where this is going'. I can tell you where it's going... no where because you aren't together anymore for it to go anywhere, duh.<br /><br />There's the 'I don't love you the same way I did in the beginning'; could it be you didn't love them in the first place? 'I think we have grown a part from each other', which means one person wants to grow in the relationship and the other is satisfied with the way things have been. Then there is the grand daddy of them all: 'It's not you, it's me'.<br /><br />All these different excuses I've heard and maybe even ones I may have used in the past got me to thinking about the relationship I have with the Lord. I was pondering to myself how I would feel if He came to me with any of these reasons not to be with me any longer.<br /><br />The sad truth of this post is, if the Lord decided to write us a 'Dear John Letter' today He would be completely justified in breaking off His relationship with us. We have been less than faithful to Him, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">non trusting</span> of Him and most of all we haven't loved Him in anyway He would like. Yes, He could very well say goodbye to us and we would deserve it. He wouldn't have to say, 'It's not you, it's Me' if He said anything it would be, 'It's you, not Me'.<br /><br />The great thing about this truth we deserve is, He is true to His word. He said this in <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jer</span>. 31:3 ...yeah, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">lovingkindness</span> have I drawn thee.</em> Then He says in <em>Heb. 13:5 ...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.</em><br /><br />Have you check your relationship status lately? Is it you?I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-56974948639983633112009-03-31T12:00:00.000-04:002009-03-31T14:06:19.199-04:00"Stop Throwing The "A" Word Around"I was taught from the scriptures about the 'anointing' when I was a young person in the church about a couple years ago, and when it was spoken you could sense all the reverence the word invoked in people; from those who both said it and those who were privileged to hear it as well.<br /><br />When we spoke about someone being anointed it was far more than just speaking constructively about the individuals ability to do what they were doing at the time. We understood back then, and yes I said back then because it isn't the same today, that the anointing wasn't only upon those who sang or preached the word of God. We understood it is the very Spirit of God who empowers us to do His will, and to bring a change into the lives of others.<br /><br />Unfortunately, however, this isn't the case any longer when we talk about the anointing in any of our conversations anymore. Now, I know there are those of us who know when to use the word and when not to use it. We hear a singer on the radio and they sound really good and come to find out they may have several Grammy Awards for that very song we heard, and we say today; 'Ooh, they're so anointed'. Really? The song was about everything under the sun except the Gospel of Jesus, and we say they are anointed.<br /><br />The scriptures say this: <em>'And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder,and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.' Isaiah 10:27</em><br /><em></em><br />Saints let's be a little more diligent and recognize when the anointing is flowing, and if you aren't sure then a clear sign to look for is the burdens and yokes being destroyed in the lives of those you know were bound.<br /><br />This is the Anointing.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-84009561865143652502009-03-26T09:00:00.001-04:002009-03-27T16:08:13.265-04:00"E-knee, Me-knee, My-knee, Moe"I know I'm not the only one who remembers how we use to choose the persons to 1. be on our team or 2. who was going to be 'it' first; as in a game of hide and seek or something along those lines. I remember the goal for me was to be sure I performed at the top of my game every time we did play one the many games we played as children, because it would assure me a spot on a good team the next time we played.<br /><br />However, the very opposite was the case when, for some odd reason and, of course, strange twist of fate, I didn't do as well as in times past. Which for me was like saying the sky was falling, because I was such an awesome gamer no matter what we were playing. (smile) The opposite being, I was't picked by the best players as in times past, and all because of the one bad game I may have had. The really bad part was you had to perform at the top of your game 'consistently' for a minimum of three games after the one bad game in order for the top players to reconsider bringing you back to the top. It was almost like being dropped to Triple-A ball from the Major Leagues, and you had to prove you were worth being recalled.<br /><br />The sad part of this post is: we see this being done to someone almost every single day and we say nothing because secretly this is how we feel. We pick and we choose who we want to be a part of our ministries and we try our very best to get only the well polished of persons, or those who have a decent amount, if not, a whole lot of money. However, those who are marginal and who don't have a considerable amounts of money or resources to offer we don't want them really to be a part of the ministry.<br /><br />I read an article about a man who committed a very horrible crime and was convicted of it, and spent a lot of years in prison for the crime. Once he was released a pastor stepped forwarded after having had a conversation with the man in question and offered for him to live at his home for a few months until he was on his feet. The people in the same town as the pastor; which some I'm sure were perhaps members of his church, didn't want the man in 'their' town.<br /><br />When did God give us permission to pick and to choose who we are to minister to or to try to help in our lives? I understand the need for caution and all of that, but when do we really start living the life He has called us to live for Him? The scriptures tell us that He has given us the ministry of reconciliation <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=2Cr&c=5&v=18&t=KJV#18">2 Cor 5:18-19</a>; so when are we going to start with reconciling? Or are we satisfied with the way we do things now?<br /><br /><strong><em>Reconcile: To cause to be friendly again; to conciliate anew; to restore to friendship; to bring back to harmony; to cause to be no longer at variance....</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />'E-knee, Me-knee, My-knee, Mo'....I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-31809002277996301582009-03-24T12:19:00.004-04:002009-03-24T12:53:42.168-04:00"Do We Have It Now or Will We Get It Later?"There are a lot of answers concerning the next set of questions I want pose to all of you today, and I have to thank my friend <a href="http://frankfamilyfacts.blogspot.com/">Papa Frank </a>for actually prompting these with a comment he made on an earlier post.<br /><br />There are those who believe once they have accepted what the Lord Jesus did for them on the cross of Calvary that they are Saved and now have Eternal Life and Victory in Him, and don't have to 'Work' to get to heaven.<br /><br />Then there are others who believe after you have accepted; then one must continuously 'Work' the rest of their lives in order for them to make it into heaven.<br /><br />This is the question that came from Papa Franks comment: If we have Victory in Jesus now; then why are we to ''run that we May obtain''? 1Cor 9:24<br /><br />Do we have it now or will we get it later?<br /><br />I only asked that you utilize the scriptures as much as possible, and know that we can all learn something from one another. Just try and keep on subject.I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-428713732376221642.post-84467496154203631622009-03-23T10:54:00.005-04:002009-06-04T08:58:03.690-04:00"You Ain't The Only One"I know for myself it seems as though I'm the only one trying to do what is asked of me by the Lord, and because of this I encounter all these different obstacles and trials. I would be the first to argue that this is all a part of being a servant of the Lord, and I would be correct in saying this because the scriptures tell us that those who will live godly shall suffer persecution.<br /><br />So, why do we find ourselves falling victim to a version of a pity party from time to time? Are we or do we somehow try to psych ourselves into thinking we shouldn't have to go through some things because we are following the Lord's will? I think we do sometimes, but I've learned and am learning that even though we think we are the only one trying to live right, we aren't.<br /><br />We are to follow the plan and the path the Lord has mapped out for us as individuals and one day when our course has come to a conclusion; then we will be given the task of training and relaying to someone else the responsibility to continue on the road the Lord has set us on so long ago.<br /><br />Trust me when I say, "You ain't the only one". <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Ki&c=19&v=18&t=KJV#18">Read </a><a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=10&v=16&t=KJV#16">Read</a>I.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03861841487009504207noreply@blogger.com6