Angels??

It really saddens me when I am talking to someone, or over hear someone, or listening to a speech by someone and he/she talks about being an angel one day.  We as the church don’t speak enough on these ideas that we get planted in us as children, then these ideas become truth to us.  Satan loves these ideas, he loves false truths, he loves and supports anything that will keep us away from the real truth in Christ Jesus.  I think sometimes folklore comes into play or old wives-tales overshadow the truth.  Our flesh loves these things and supports them.  Movies, books and television  depict us as angels after we die.  Why!!!??  Is that easier to swallow than telling people the truth!!??  That after you die, you will stand before GOD the creator of everything, nude, without your pastor, your spouse, your family, its just you and God.  If you know and love him personally, then it will be said, “Good job”, and you will enter the kingdom.  If your a good person and live a good life and follow the ten commandments and go to church every Sunday, only pray during Sunday service and your bible reading consists of relying on your pastors sermon,  then it will be said to you, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”  These poor souls are sentenced to an eternity of complete separation from God.

For those that heard “Good Job” they will be what the angels will never be, that is the only beautiful, unblemished, perfect bride of Christ.

Let me throw this out there:  Picture in your mind a courtroom, a judge, a defense attorney and a prosecutor and of course the defendant.  What is the prosecutors job, but to show how guilty you are.  How about the defense attorney?  His job is to show your innocent.  The judge, determines if your guilty or innocent.

     Satan is our prosecutor, He tells the Judge(God) all the things we have done, all the sins we have committed, all the reasons we should not get to be with him.  Then all of a sudden Jesus (the defense attorney) stands up, shouts I object! He is innocent for he is covered in my blood, I know him, and he knows me.  He is mine, and I am his.  The Judge says,,”CASE DISMISSED!!!!!”

Father I pray that all your children will hear the truth and stray away from the lies of the deceiver.  That you become our portion.  Father help us trust you and praise you in times of joy and times of despair.  That you are first in every thought and in every word we speak.  Please Father, your will be done.

“JESUS COME SOON”

I AM ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN

Jesus morning

Today I took a day of vacation from my work, thinking I would clean the garage!!  I woke up and remembered this dvd that I got by this guy named Lee Strobel, “THE CASE FOR CHRIST”, I started to watch this and became moved!  It is so amazing that when I think about Jesus or hear someone talk about him, that brings me to tears.  I love him so much, but I  know I’m not worthy of his love, but he loves me anyway.  So this dvd has such a great source of info, let me touch a little on it:  Lee was an atheist, he also was a investigative journalist and the former legal editor of the Chicago tribune.  He decided to prove once and for all that Jesus is only a fable and this dvd documents this 2 year investigation. 

     After watching this dvd and tearing up, I felt like watching, “THE PASSION”, I don’t even know what to say on how I’m feeling, I feel fragile?  The part of the movie, when his mother comes to him while he is carrying the cross, he falls and she goes to him, and he says, “Look mother, I make everything new.”  This brings me to tears now as I sit here typing!!  He loves me so much,it makes my mind just spin.  So, of course, Brian and Stephanie are on their way home from work, so I figure I’ll change the subject matter, why?? I don’t know??  I turn the cable TV on and start watching, “DEAD MAN WALKING”,  I guess God wasn’t done with me yet,  this show had Jesus all over it.

     I thank God for this Jesus morning, I thank God for this Jesus life, I thank God for this Jesus that I love.

I love you, Jesus

Brian

The Hands Of The Father

     I have been reading a book with my Wednesday night group, it’s called, “THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON”, by Henri J.M. Nouwen.  I have been going over some questions to ask everyone.  I would like to share one of the questions:

     The hands of the Father:  They have held me from the hour of my conception, they welcomed me at my birth, held me close to my mother’s breast, fed me, and kept me warm.  They have waved me good-bye and always welcomed me back.  Those hands are God’s hands.  They are also the hands of my parents, teachers, friends, healers, and all those whom God has given me to remind me how safely I am held.

(ASK YOURSELF)  Have you experienced the hands of the Father?

“JESUS COME SOON”

JOB

I have been learning/reading in the book of JOB.  I prayed for patience a few weeks ago and have been going through some crazy stuff!  I then felt led to read JOB.  It is amazing how Gods word changes everytime I read it.  It is always written to conform to what I’m going through in my life at the time I read a certain passage.  I always question God’s will and I always struggle with trusting him.  This is what I read:

JOB 38:4-18 (nasb)

     “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?”

“Tell me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements, since you know?  Or who stretched the line on it?  On what were its bases sunk?  Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

 ”Or who enclosed the sea with doors, When, bursting forth it went out from the womb; when I made a cloud its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, and I placed boundaries on it, and I set a bolt and doors, and I said, thus far you shall come, but no farther, and here shall your proud waves stop?”

“Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, and used the dawn to know its place; that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked  shaken out of it?  It is changed like clay under the seal; and they stand forth like a garment.  And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the uplifted arm is broken.”

“Have you entered into the springs of the sea?  Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?  Have the gates of death been revealed to you?  Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?  Have you understood the expanse of the earth?”

“TELL ME, IF YOU KNOW ALL THIS.”

     I am still in the book of JOB, I keep reading back and forth in the book,  I feel really drawn to this part of the bible right now.  I pray God will open my eyes and my mind to his will.

“JESUS COME SOON”

Here are some passages I’m looking at right now:

JOB 1:6  Now there was a day when the SONS of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.

JOB 42:11  Then all his brothers and all his sisters, and all who had known him before, came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the EVIL THAT THE LORD HAD BROUGHT ON HIM.  And each one gave him one piece of money, and each a ring of gold.

JOB 1:21  And he said, “Naked I came from my MOTHER’S WOMB, and Naked I shall RETURN THERE.  The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

What really do I want!?

I have been reading Jim Palmer’s book “DIVINE NOBODIES.”  I am almost finished with the book, what a great book!!  I am reading a part in the book that talks about children being forced into sex slavery!!  As I read, I got mad and sick to my stomach.  I felt like crying.  Jim asks the question I have asked many times, “Why, God?”  and then I’ll think,  ”Maybe this is a problem that I’ll just pray about and leave to God?”  Then Jim writes:

     I don’t really want a “relationship” with God.  Here’s what I want.  I want to share with God all I feel, all I need, all that grieves me, all that makes me happy, the puzzling things, the fun things, and the hard things, but I would prefer that God keep his stuff to himself.  I don’t want to hear about his pain and share in his grief.  I don’t mind listening to God as long as I’m receiving solutions, answers, and advice.  Maybe what I really want is a divine vending machine: pop in my prayer, press the button for my need, and I’m good to go.

Thanks Jim for being obedient and writing this book. I guess it takes two for a “RELATIONSHIP”  to be….

Thank you Father, for using different things in my life to draw me near to you.  I love you.

“JESUS COME SOON”

Father

The mixed group I’m in is currently reading, “THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON.”  I read a page that talked to me direct!  I have been dealing with abuse from my earthly father for years, from the time I can remember to present day.  Within the last 6-12 months God has allowed me to actually pray for him with a sincere heart.  I don’t feel hate toward him anymore, but I don’t feel love either?  I have been taking this baggage everywhere with me for almost 41 years.  God is doing a work in me!!  I never thought I would be able to forgive my father, or better yet, I never thought I would want to forgive him!  I have found, the more God chisels away at my hardness toward my dad, the closer I feel to my father in heaven!!  I don’t understand this??  I recognize it, but I just can’t figure it out….  I shared this with my group last night.  I felt as though God told me I needed to???  I am so blessed that I am part of the body of Christ, that is actually real!!!  They really listen!! They really care!!!  They probe down deep into what makes me tick!!! They are to me, what the sword was to the prodigal son.. Thank You God for loving me…

“JESUS COME SOON!”

Shhhhhhhhhh

Last Sunday’s service was based on how we as Christians are perceived by our actions.  The drama had 4 people sitting around a table and 1 waitress.  The people around the table were talking about topics dealing with their church, but when the waitress would try to communicate, the people were very rude, or just in their actions they would belittle her.  Then of course came time for the tip, they decided that she needed to work for it and did not think she had.  They left exact change and a bible tract. 

     People in the congregation laughed at this, I really don’t see the humour.  I actually felt like crying.  How many times have I set this kind of example in my life?  Were people laughing because it made them feel uncomfortable or are they laughing thinking about someone else is a fault, not them?

     I usually stand out in the lobby during the second service, It’s pretty cool how God brings people around in the lobby just to minister to me or allow me to minister to them.  God even works in the lobby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     Well I’m out in the lobby and a man came to talk to me, he made sure I knew he was a marine!:-)  And he also is a master gardener.  He was very proud of these two facts.  He touched my heart!  I could feel God all around!!  He then asked me about myself, of course calling me sir cause of his marine background, I had told him a little about myself and my love for Jesus.  He told me about his love for Jesus and shared with me a story about what had happen to him, He was in a pretty bad car accident, He had one heck of a scar on his head and looked like he might have a plate or something in there.  I could tell he was child like, but what a great heart!  What Honesty!!!  What love!!!  He talked a little loud, but really who cares?  He shared he had had some addictions to drugs in the past and some other problems…Problems???hmmmmm, I think I have a few of those!!  He was very ashamed of smoking cigarettes and made sure I understood he was going to quit!! 

As he is sharing his story with me, a person that was just in the drama about treating people disrespectfully walked by, turned to us , put there finger to their mouth and with authority said, “SHHHHHHHHH”!  then walked into the auditorium.

     That kinda made me feel funny then, but I have been thinking and praying about this.  I tried to blow it off as stupidity, but I can’t, this person is a leader in our church.  I feel in my heart I need to take this to them, and I will.  I am scared, scared of what, I don’t know.  I could say I will trust God in this matter, but that statement would not be true.  I struggle with trusting God.  I know what ever the outcome is, it will be fulfilling Gods will and not mine!

Please pray for me.

JESUS COME SOON  (i’m tired)

Competition with God

I feel today I have learned an old lesson anew.  I was on top of the world, I have been meeting with couples outside of church and I have dove into their lives.  I have seen God do some cool stuff!

     I went to visit my cousin today that’s dying.  His stench made me feel nauseous! I was panicky!! His flesh is rotting off his bones, the smell is unbelievable.  I asked God to help me to get through this.  I thought to myself, I hope I never end up like him, where someone is sickened by me.  All I could think of was “MYSELF!!!”

     Then I get home and get a call from Dan that a couple I thought was on the road to recovery toward their marriage, blew up like an atomic bomb!!  I got sick to my stomach!!!   You know, why even try??!!!  God has got his plan and if I don’t match it, it just blows up!!!!  “THAT’S BULLSHIT GOD!!!!!!”   My intentions are good, I am not trying to out do you!!!!  I want people to come to you too!!!

ROM: 5:1-5

    This is what god spoke to me; “WE STILL FACE DAILY PROBLEMS THAT OFTEN HELP US GROW.”

     These things that happened today are for me.  For my growth and yet I got pissed at God.  Just as I start to get comfortable with my relationship with him, He stirs the pot of Brian soup and lets it simmer a little more.

     to sum it all up:

“I  AM  COMPETITIVE  WITH  GOD!”

Walls

I wonder what it would be like if everyone let down their walls?  I work with a guy, he’s not a very big guy physically, but his wall is “HUGE”!  I have been praying for him and taking his sarcastic and sometimes hurtful comments toward me.  God has helped me love him!!!  His wall has holes, I think God has shown me one.  I was standing out in the warehouse the other day and he walked over to me and made one of his normal sarcastic comments, but this time instead of blowing it off and asking how he’s been, I said, I would love to find out what’s down deep in your heart.  He almost looked scared and mumbled something under his breath.  Later that day he shared with me that his nephew he and his wife raised is dying of aids and is now in the hospital and it’s just a matter of time.  I asked him if it would be alright if I went to visit him.  I could see him start to marshmallow, then all of a sudden the walls came up and he told me that he didn’t think that was a good idea.  I just said o.k., I respect that, and I walked away.  I have noticed everyday since then, he’s been different, less angry, maybe even sad?  Today he didn’t talk much to anyone, he even went to places during breaks that nobody-else was.  I will keep praying for him and I’m just waiting on God, I thank God for allowing me to observe his greatness.

Father, tear down our walls, help us share our lives with others, to become the most beautiful bride for your son, it’s in his name I pray. amen