Facts don’t change…but the outcome can
The facts are in. They cannot be disputed. They cannot be changed. Deal with it.
Obama is President.
It is not what we, as Bible-believing Christians, wanted, but it is a truth.
He is making unprecedented changes in record time – much to the disapproval of conservatives everywhere.
We knew it would happen. We knew he was going to go for the biggest change – and he promised the very changes he is making. And then some.
An assault has begun, nay, been stepped up, on the very fabric of American freedom and foundation.
Again, those who listened to his campaign rhetoric, knew what was coming.
Nope. We can’t change what happened. We warned everyone we could think of that an Obama presidency would mean disaster for families, conservative values, and sanctity of life preservation. But, when the votes were tallied, he won. And, since then, many of us have done nothing but complain.
Now, I am not in any way suggesting that we should stop fighting Obama – on the contrary, we should scrutinize his every move, and make a phone call if he does anything in the direction of a liberalistic ideal. We should fight for our every right as we still have them – and fight to get back any we lose along the way.
However, more even than fighting the President, we should take action where we live! How? Support organizations which uphold the values and principles we stand behind. Prayerfully and financially (along with volunteer efforts, etc.) support organizations such as the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), Focus on the Family, etc., which fight for these things everyday – often with more pull than a single individual can muster. Instead of arguing across the fence about our right to keep and bear arms, join the NRA! When there is an opportunity to have your voice heard, don’t sit at home and say, “I just can’t believe what those {goofy} liberals are doing now! When will it stop?” Get up, get out, and get going! Stand in front of an abortion clinic. Talk to women who are considering one and offer CHRISTIAN advice. Do something!
But there are more opportunities: volunteer at your local pregnancy help center to help prevent abortion in unwanted pregnancies, volunteer at local soup kitchens, encourage your church to have a more active and widespread outreach ministry, pray for our leader.
God never intended for Christians to be spectators – LIFE is not a spectator sport! Nor are we meant to be mere commentators! He never wanted us to sit around bickering and complaining about things we cannot change. He did mean for us to reach out to make a difference. He did mean for us to find ways to serve the downtrodden in society. After all, isn’t that where Jesus spent the majority of His own time?
So while we do need to stay abreast of what is happening here on our own soil, in the White House Oval Office, and abroad, we cannot let it dictate our mood or attitude any longer. If we do, our words will be ineffective because there will be no action to speak of.
I encourage everyone reading this to find at least one way each week you can make a difference: write to your senator/congressman/woman, etc., volunteer, support a worthy cause, etc. Do something to promote worthy “change” – not just moan about the bad.
Everything happens for a reason….but whose reason is it?
I know someone who is very fond of saying, “Everything happens for a reason,” meaning that everything that happens is supposed to happen. It’s actually a fatalistic view of the world, of course – depending on who says it.
You see, when a Christian says, “Everything happens for a reason,” what he or she means is that the Lord can use anything for the good of His Kingdom. However, the actual statement, is somewhat faulty. Let’s examine.
God is in complete control – period. However, BECAUSE He allows us free will, things happen everyday that are outside the will of God. For instance: adultery, murder, homosexuality, unwed mothers, theft, idolatry, gossip, etc., are ALL outside the will of God. God CAN use those experiences for good, but that is because He can REDEEM a situation – NOT because He condones it.
The things that happened in my past – wait, let me rephrase – the things that I did in my past are there because I chose to do them – NOT because God wanted me to do them, or to have those experiences. Quite the contrary – had I lived within His will for my whole life, I would have been spared much of the pain of the guilt of sin. But, I chose my own way for a season. Some would say, “Everything happens for a reason.” But, whose reason is it?
The truth is, the things that happened in my past happened for my reasons. They were what I wanted. They were not what God had planned for my life. He knew it would happen. He allowed it to happen. And in his infinite grace and wisdom, He chose to REDEEM my life IN SPITE OF WHAT I DID.
That’s the key – in spite of me. God redeemed my life, saved my soul, and gave me hope not because of me, but in spite of me.
God calls us to obedience, and through obedience, He can bless us. But when we are disobedient, He sometimes allows us to feel the sting of the consequences of our actions so that we can learn a lesson for next time.
Regardless, we serve a God who is in the Miracle Making Business. In fact, He has a monopoly on the market. So, when the world condemns a situation, God can redeem it for His purposes. This is evidenced by Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” In my KJV Bible, the word His is italicized. Emphasized. Special. It is THE word to take note of in this verse – HIS purpose.
So, yes, in a sense, I guess everything happens for a reason. But, we need to be very careful in placing the blame of reason where it rightly belongs. Did it happen because God supernaturally caused it to happen (and He can!)? Or, did it happen because we were living outside the will of God and ignored His laws and precepts?
From Helen Keller
“Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness.“ Helen Keller
Smart woman….very smart woman.
It’s Flu Season again….woohoo!
This is a very quick post to ask for prayers from each of you reading today. Somehow I think I have been lucky enough to get the beginnings of the flu. Yay me. No, I did not get a flu shot. My thought process went like this: the kids don’t go to school or day care, and I don’t work outside the home, therefore, we are not at as much of a risk as others. I won’t get one…..DUH! Didn’t think about going to Walmart, the post office, the book store, the library, friends and family for Christmas, and oh, here’s a biggie: HUSBAND GOING TO HIS JOB THEN COMING HOME!!!! Boy, am I smart these days! LOL….ok, well, now I’m paying for my complete and total lack of forethought…..so, um….I humbly ask for you to pray not only for my intelligence to return soon, but for this to pass quickly and be more like a bad cold than the flu. Or better yet – like a SLIGHT cold! I am really looking forward to our church’s New Year’s Eve celebration on Wednesday, and hope to be well…..I’d greatly appreciate your prayers!
Oh yeah, as afraid as I am to ask for this particular prayer, I need some patience! I volunteered to take my 3 nieces and nephews for a few days home with me. Although they are behaving pretty well together (which says a LOT for 5 kids roughly the same ages!), they are wearing me out! I need some patience, a little ingenuity, and LOTS of stamina!
Well, that’s it…I’m heading to the couch for a little peace and quiet while the kids fish with Pawpaw Doug. Peace….quiet….won’t last long!
Have a blessed New Year’s! And don’t forget to sign up for our Bible Reading Challenge!
Resting,
Toni
Christmas Trees
Have you ever noticed the differences in Christmas trees?
Some are simple – others are ornate. Some are flocked – others are a beautiful evergreen. Some are real – some are artificial.
It seems Christmas trees are a very personal thing in our country. One person may have a designer tree full of gorgeous department store ornaments, ornate ribbons, and hundreds of lights. Truly a sight to see.
Others may prefer a simpler decoration – perhaps just lights and some tinsel. Or maybe all homemade decorations. There are trees with ornaments depicting our hobbies and memorializing our deceased loved ones. Some of us use garland, others use ribbons, some tinsel, and others pinecones. Trees run the gamut from truly country-style to high-end upscale fashion.
Yes, Christmas trees are a personal expression of ourselves. For us, our tree this year is one with multi-colored lights (I generally prefer clear, but am outnumbered by 3!) and decorations of all kinds. There are the beautiful ones my Mom bought for my sister and I a couple of years ago. There are ones the girls have made with no help from anyone. A few were purchased at the girls’ first or second Christmases. One is a photo ornament of my late father-in-law given to us by my sister-in-law last year. Perhaps the most sentimental to me are the ones that John has chosen for the girls each year. It is a special gift from him each year to his girls, and they all look forward to the tradition. There are puffs of white tulle in various places on the tree (my attempt at simulating “snow” – actually very cute!), wonderful large ribbons of varying colors and types of ribbon – all made from bows received on ornately-wrapped gifts in the past. Tucked in the tree in a few cozy spots are small teddy bears – remnants from a set of 12 we bought for Alexis when she was a toddler. She insisted on using the red beaded garland, so that encircles the tree, as well as a 4′ length of cranberry garland she made this year. With the exception of ONE – every ornament we have, I believe, is on the tree this year! And, to top it off, they are all on the front 2/3 of the tree! LOL….When I asked the girls if I could move a few to the back and rearrange a little – they both said, “NO!” So, the tree remains a little “front heavy.” Hopefully it will stand straight until Christmas!
The night our tree goes up, I always like to stay up after everyone goes to bed with the lights out and only the tree lit. It somehow really helps to put me in the Christmas spirit. This year was no different, and while I sat, God gave me this thought:
We (God’s children) are like Christmas trees.
How? Easy. We are all different. No two of us are exactly alike – we all come with different experiences (ornaments) and backgrounds (the tree itself). The tree itself represents the whole of our lives, and the lights reveal His presence. Like our individual Christmas trees are to us, we are all very special to Him, indeed.
He sees the absolute beauty in each ornament as it adds something unique to our lives that no one else has. He put it there! The ornaments of our lives are used by the Lord to shape our hearts and bring us closer to Him, while showing an outward sign of what He has done for us, and can do for others. The ornaments are one way for us to show the love of Christ.
He is the Light that illuminates our trees and shines so that the holes where ornaments are missing, or broken ornaments are placed, can be seen. Clear or multi, the lights reveal empty spaces and magnify mistakes. The Light of Christ reveals unrepented sin, and therefore, the lights are the most important of all the elements.
The tree itself was grown and handpicked specifically for us – God knew the exact tree: shape, size, type, flocked or not – and He knows why that tree was chosen. Sometimes we are disappointed in His choice of trees, but we shouldn’t be – #1 – we can’t change it. Our past is our past and our background is what made us who we are today. And #2, God has reasons far beyond our comprehension for choosing the background we have had. He can and does use any circumstance for good, and for His purposes.
So, you see, your Christmas tree can remind you of more than the birth of Christ this year, although I am in no way taking that away. I merely want to add that your Christmas tree can remind you, if you allow God to use it that way, of what He has brought you in your life. Of what He has brought you out of in your life. And when you look at the top of the tree – the star, the angel – let that be a reminder to know where He is taking you in your life.
I hope that after reading this, you look at your Christmas tree a little differently. And I hope that you spend a little time in the Light of your tree, looking to the One who decorated it so beautifully.
Merry Christmas everyone.
The Christmas Gift
I wrote this originally in my personal journal (don’t you feel like a special friend, now?) as a Valentines poem. But I have been wanting to share it with you. I changed a few words so it pertains to Christmas…hope you like it…let me know.
The Christmas Gift
Lord, I have forgotten Your ways
I haven’t read Your Word in too many days
I have missed the mark time and time again
Who am I to say that You are my friend?
But, Lord, in Your grace I want to grow
And I’ll need Your help, this I know.
To find my way back to Your Throne
This is a journey I can’t make alone.
Lord, I have called upon You only when in trouble
Perhaps that is why lately, all I do is stumble.
I’ve cursed and I’ve cried, I’ve felt I could die
But, Lord, You never left. You were always at my side.
You’ve never forsaken me, you’ve always been there
In the morning, at night, and when I say the occasional prayer.
You’re there when I sleep and there when I cry
You’re there when I slip, though I sometimes wonder why.
I wonder how a Lord so sovereign and good
Can still love a sinner like me – I’m not so sure I could.
But You do Lord, and I’m blessed
For of every gift in life, Jesus is the best.
So, Lord, this Christmas Day, I want to tell You
That whatever it takes, that’s what I’ll do
I’‘ll do what’s needed to get back that fire.
Lord, I just ask You to teach me to desire
The things that are good, righteous, and just
And to never lose faith in Your love, but to trust.
To trust in Your provision, Your love, and Your promise
For You o Lord, cannot be dishonest.
Lord, You have my heart from now until forever
I will love You Lord, and not lose faith, no never.
So, Lord, be with me as on this new journey I start
And Lord, please accept this Christmas gift – my heart.
Sharpen Your Sword (wk of 12/7/08)
My mother said something last night I thought was awesome. And, of course, I personally think my mom is a very wise, intelligent, brilliant, wonderful person (especially since I am just like her…ha ha ha!). But, seriously, she made a statement in a conversation we were having that was very profound, yet very simple:
“The closer you get to God, the bigger your sins appear.”
Isn’t that true? I know it is for me. Recently, I have been reading and rereading Psalm 51 – a prayer for remission of sins. If you’ve never read it, I encourage you to do so, prayerfully, as it is a Psalm that will allow God to reveal hidden sins in your life, and remind you that ALL sin is against Him.
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to they lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in they sight: that thous mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from they presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice: else I would give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: and broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thine good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Awesome words from an awesome God….
The Wicker Basket
I received this in an email and wanted to share it…timeless.
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson, who wanted to be just like him, tried to imitate him in anyway he could.
One day, the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand, I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?”
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove in the stove and said, “Take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.”
The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move faster next time,” and send him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the old wicker basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was “impossible to carry water in a basket,” and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, “I don’t want a bucket of water, I want a basket of water. You can do this. You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather, the basket was again empty.
Out of breath, he said, “See Papa, it’s useless!”
“So you think it is useless?” The old man said, “Look at the basket.”
The boy looked at the basket and realized for the first time that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it was clean.
“Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.”
The Lord said in Isaiah 55:11
So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
I know many people, and I have been there myself, who struggle with reading their Bibles daily because they “just don’t get it.” I am a firm believer in the KJV only approach (with much to back up my opinion), and therefore, some of the writing is a little more difficult to understand. What’s more, sometimes the Word itself is challenging. I think God is very VERY clear in His Word about everything, but I think our understanding requires obedience and a sincere desire to understand, thereby showing our love for Jesus.
About four and a half years ago, the person I charge with being my spiritual mentor (you know who you are JG!) gave me this sage advice: “Pray and ask God to show you what He wants you to understand before you even open the Bible.” Ask God to bless your reading at that time so that your spiritual eyes may be opened, paving the way for God to give you the understanding of whatever passage you are reading.
Sometimes, it takes reading, and rereading, and rereading again, before you “get it.” Other times, it happens instantly. But, one truth remains: God can’t speak to you and show you His thoughts if you don’t read His word. He speaks to us first through His written Word, and if we refuse to stay away from it – even out of fear of not understanding – we are shutting down a supply of blessings that would span our entire lifetime.
New Year’s is coming up, and with it, New Year’s Resolutions. Now, while I won’t make a “resolution,” I will have goals for the upcoming year. How about you? Will you make it a goal for the new year to read your Bible daily, and spend some time each morning with your Savior? You will be blessed. And that’s a promise from the King.
