SelahV Today

STUPID CHALLENGES AND ANTAGONISTIC BLATHERINGS

Some folks have nothing better to do in their lives than sit around thinking up ways to slap another's face with the proverbial white glove.  When they do not like someone, they do everything in their power to antagonize, goad, criticize and demonize.  Often they do so in the guise of critiquing a position, a policy or a rule of order.  And very often they are censured for being antagonistic, without regard for a rule of order or an agreed upon policy.  Some folks are more like satan with his wiles and deceit and promotional tactics of artificial light.  They come at you with juicy tidbits of half-truthes and innuendo, substantiated by hypothesis and virtuous illustrations and quotes.  Then they dump their antagonistic garbage in a heap and expect everyone to lap it up like it is a bowl of Grama's chicken soup for the soul.  Such contrived attempts at being spiritually mature may fool some folks in life, but it never fools God.

"The tongue of the wise utters knowledge rightly, but the mouth of [self-confident] fools pours out folly.  The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch upon the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:2,3.

Won't it be wonderful when the mighty trumpet blows and the Lord returns and we no longer have to be bothered by such nonsense and unproductive blatherings?  Won't it be glorious to sit in eternal heaven without one ounce of knowledge that the challengers of yesteryear ever existed?

Until then, we must be wary of wolves in a sheep's clothing, my friends.  Very wary indeed.  selahV 

THE SBC...MORE THAN A CONVENTION MEETING IN JUNE

Maybe it's just me.  Maybe I'm so darn traditional-minded there's no room for progressive thinking.  Maybe I've allowed myself to trust in too many sermon messages that pointed out sin and how God's against it, to be any earthly good in teaching the Bible in a politically correct world.

Maybe I've walked the aisles of too many churches, too many times.  Maybe I've knelt at the (watch-out, I'm about to mention the "A" word) "altar" too many times pouring out my tears of petition for lost souls that I should be chained to my pew forevermore.  Maybe I'm living so far back in the dark ages of Southern Baptist history, I can't crawl out from the swirling baptistry waters to do anything more than receive the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Jesus Christ my Lord who willingly was crucified to pay the price for my sin and yours.  Maybe I've listened to the last verse of Jesus Paid It All, one time too many.

Maybe I've been totally misled in tithing, supporting missions and praying for the leadership of our conventions, associations, and churches.  Maybe it's not necessary for me to concern myself with the baptism of my grandchildren or the cooperative program.  Maybe I should forget about reaching out in love to folks who need help, food, comfort and encouragement--after all, it's not good works that save anyone--and nothing good comes from me, anyway.  Maybe I gave too much credit to the teachings of professors in our seminaries and lean entirely too heavily on commentaries written by Baptist theologians.  I don't know.

But until someone shows me another faith that walks with the integrity of purpose to spread the Gospel message around the world with as much cooperative effort as the SBC, then I suppose I'll just have to linger here till I'm called home or meet my Savior in the sky.  selahV

LORD, GIVE US MORE WRITERS LIKE THIS ONE...

Lately, I've been saddened and, sometimes, appalled to discover what some Christians count acceptable in a minister's cache of sermons and so-called "relevant" teachings to attract folks to their churches.  THEN...

...I open my email and find one writer whom I find totally and completely on target to the real and absolute relevancy for Christians today and every day.  Please take time and read the post I've linked below.  It's worth your time.  It's worth consideration.  It's worth reprinting and publishing and sending to all ministers everywhere.  In my biased opinion, the verse chosen to begin her post sums up the real need in our lives.  Do you agree?   

True Growth by Gimmic or Gospel?

Posted: 25 Feb 2009 12:58 PM PST

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." ~ John 12:32 (NASB)

 

[ ANNNND... I'd also appreciate it if you'd check out my previous post, WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING HOLY?, and weigh in with your thoughts.  selahV ]

 

WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING HOLY?

Should Christians be expected to be holy?  Lately it seems we don't need to take that term seriously anymore.  With some Christians, it seems like it's almost a four-letter word.  To mention holiness, godliness, or purity seems to bring out accusations of legalism, fundamentalism and "throwing folks under buses".  I don't know.  Maybe with all the emerging ideas of Christian fellowship and faith, I'm just too old to understand these new-fangled ways and means of reaching the lost and living out my faith.

It seems that grace has so covered us all that we need not concern ourselves with what we say or do anymore.  It doesn't matter how we treat fellow brothers and sisters.  Yet, I just can't seem to get away from things like Peter brings up:

"So be done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind." 1 Peter 2:1.

"Like newborn babies you should crave the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation.  Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord."vs 2

"Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away but which is chosen [and] precious in God's sight." vs.3

I'm certain that this side of heaven none of us will be perfect.  But we have been given power over sin in our lives through the indwelling Spirit of God.  Am I to believe that because of grace I am to ignore any passages which demand I examine myself in the light of His Word?  That because of grace I am not accountable to anyone--God or man--to die to that part of me that rears its ugly head in search of evil-life?  What kind of example am I to set for others?  Is it really okay to settle for a 5-watt candle when I can be a 100-watt?  Does it really not matter, anymore?  What does Peter mean when he tells us to:

"[Come] and as living stones be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and well-pleasing to God through Christ Jesus." vs. 4.

Really.  Just what does Peter mean when he says be "living stones yourselves built into a spiritual house, for a holy spiritual priesthood"?  selahV

MORE WAITING...OR UPDATE ON HEART SITUATION

Saw my cardiologist today for the results of my tests.  He is scheduling an angiogram.  My stress test revealed what they think is a blockage in the front artery of my heart.  Sooooooo, more waiting.  LOL.  It's exactly what I expected.  They have to call me to let me know when the angiogram will be done.  So, I'll know sometime today when that will take place.  Isn't life exciting?  selahV

[NEW UPDATE, 2/26,09] Will have the angiogram on Friday next week.  March 6th.  Pray I stay healthy and don't catch my granddaughter's bugs before then.  No fevers are allowed in the operating room.]

BEST YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK

Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.   
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.   
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.  
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness       

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own.

Then there is me.  I have all the signs above except the cold sweat.  And if you recall, a few days before my dad died, I had an "episode" I decided was a bad case of indigestion and thus self-diagnosed myself with an ulcerated esophagus.  I only write this post now because, in all honesty, I didn't want to go to the hospital to if there was nothing really wrong with me.  Why spend all that money on unnecessary tests because I had bad chest pain, couldn't swallow and couldn't breathe?  Today I realize I should have gone immediately.

Do yourself a favor.  Don't be a stubborn knothead like me.  If your wife complains of the symptoms above, encourage her to go to the doctor in the midst of the symptoms.  If your husband is anything like mine and says, "I'll be alright in a few minutes," ignore him and make him get into the car.  I did this and two days later my husband had open heart bypass surgery to replace 5 arteries that were blocked with the main one blocked 100%.  He'd never had one iota of warning except tiredness and shortwindedness.

Pride is all that really keeps us from doing what we should.  I don't know what my "abnormality" will turn out to be.  One man's abnormality is another's normality.  But if I love my grandchildren, daughter, husband and friends...it behooves me to do my part in the process of healing as I rest in the Lord to take care of it all.  selahV     

AS IF WAITING UPON THE LORD

I've been waiting for over a month now.  In the waiting rooms.  In the doctors' offices.  In examining rooms.  Waiting to have the tests to see if there was any need to wait on another doctor's appointment.  Waiting in the testing rooms.  Then waiting on the results of the tests.

Some of you have been waiting with me...through my chest pains and adjustments to blood pressure medicine that I'd never had to take in my entire life.  Today was suppose to be the day I could tell you what the medicine induced stress test and echocardiogram revealed.  I waited all day for the nurse to call.  I called a couple of times to see if they'd forgotten me.  Finally at the end of the day, I got the call.

"Your tests show an abnormality."  I really wasn't surprised.  But what kind of abnormality?  Simple or complex?  She couldn't tell me.  I'll have to wait.  She checked the doctor's schedule.  The earliest he could see me is Wednesday.  He is working out of town tomorrow or she'd have me see him then.  "We don't want you to get your heart all stressed out now."  Uh, no problem.  Can she at least tell me if it is serious?  "No.  If I tell you anything, you'll just have more questions."  How does she know that?  "It's best to wait till you can see the doctor and have all your questions answered then."  NOT.

If I have a quarter's worth of information now, I could have ten-bucks worth of questions ready for Wednesday.  Oh well.  I'll just have to wait.  So how does one wait to find out what's next in this series of things?

I've decided to wait as I do upon the Lord.  When I wait upon Him, I am totally relaxed, at ease, full of confidence that He is in control.  He knows my need before I even know I have a need.  He's prepared the way.  He'll prepare the doctor's course of action.  He'll prepare me for the news.  He'll prepare my husband for what is to come.  And He'll take care of everything that concerns me, even the finances.  "For the Lord perfects that which concerneth me."  Ps. 138:8.  He hideth me in the cleft of His rock.  He's even preparing you to pray for me.  How great is my God; sing with me.  How great is our God.  selahV 

MARKETING SHOCK AND AWE CHRISTIANITY OR...

  FRUIT LEFT DYING ON THE VINES?

When I was a young gal, I use to pick strawberries for 25-cents a rack. (a dozen pints)  When we first picked the fields, the luscious strawberries were plentiful.  I usually ate as many as I put in the baskets.  I could pick one plant and easily fill one of my baskets with plump red berries.  A week later when we returned to second field-picking, it proved far less fruitful.  Often it took twelve or so plants to fill one of my pint-baskets.  And as I searched the leaves for good berries to fill the pint, many fat berries that had been over-looked or near ripening on the first pick, lay molding on the ground, or rotting on the vine. 

A lot has been written lately about the pros and cons of a certain preacher's evangelism style which includes focusing on the sensuality of man to produce kingdom-fruit.  To me, I liken it to my strawberry picking.  While the shock and awe marketing of Christianity may fill the basket the first time around, it begs the question about the many who are left in the fields to rot and mold on the vines.

I've been searching, and admittedly, my search is not even close to exhaustive, for some biblical basis for the use of cussing, and full-blown sexual explicitness to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  In my searching, I've uncovered a couple of things that are so at odds with this type of evangelical outreach that I can no longer see any worthwhile juice coming from the fruit so selectively harvested.

I so hurt for the mindset of some of those who think the way they do.  How can Christians defend the indefensible?  Christ calls us to  abstain from even the appearance of evil.  How can vulgarity and promotion of distasteful and disgusting behavior mesh with abstaining from even the appearance of evil?  How does one lay claim to presenting themselves "as a living sacrifice" when they promote, defend and glamourize that behavior?   Paul said just the opposite in his proclamation to Governor Felix in Acts 24:16: 

"Therefore I always exercise and dicipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward me."  Amplified Version

So, I can only deduce that it's highly probable these new evangelical progressives do not share the same "conscience" as the Apostle Paul.  Paul thought it expedient that we, as Christians, live in such a manner that our lives would be the "light of the world", the "salt" of the earth.  For some reason, some Christians do not seemingly share that expediency either.  They do not care that they "offend men" by their words and actions.  They don't even care that some preachers preach a false prosperity gospel message to produce large followings.  They follow along like little bobbleheads, nodding at every syllable written and uttered.  Just fill the pews and pools.

Some folks believe our lives should be directed by scripture and the Holy Spirit's guidance.  Other folks rely most heavily upon their conscience to be their guide.  Shouldn't our consciences reflect the Word of God?  Oswald Chambers wrote in MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST:

"Conscience is that faculty in me which attaches itself to the highest that I know, and tells me what the highest I know demands that I do.  It is the eye of the soul which looks out either towards God or towards what it regards as the highest, and therefore conscience records differently in different people.  If I am in the habit of steadily facing myself with God, my conscience will always introduce God's perfect law and indicate what I should do.  The point is, will I obey?  I have to make an effort to keep my conscience so sensitive that I walk without offense.  I should be living in such perfect sympathy with God's Son, that in every circumstance the spirit of my mind is renewed, and I "make out" at once "what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

To live with the mindset to lower ourselves to a molded spirituality of rotting habits is simply not compatible with the mind of Christ.  Nor is it in keeping with our connection to Christ as the Vine and we as His fruit.  Christ just doesn't produce such harvests.   At least that is how I've always understood living out my faith as a Christian and being set aside, sanctified because I'm justified.  My "conscience" just won't let me see another way.  How about you?  selahV

COMMON MATTERS

SOMETHING WORTH REMEMBERING...click here.

SHOPPING WITH GOD

Ever let a child push the grocery cart behind you as you select your purchases?  I've done that a few times only to have them run over my ankles when I stop to get a box of brownies off the shelf.

Often life is like that.  We want to walk along and pick all the things we want from the proverbial shelves, place them in our carts and let others accept them and move in sync with us, following at a safe distance.  There are times we want to move on and let someone else push the cart of consequences, experiences, difficulty and chaos behind us.  We want to forget about it all and focus on what is ahead.  Yet, for me, whenever I stop a moment to deal with a new situation, to consider my next choice, something hits me in the back as if running over the ankles of my forward progress.

That may be a good thing.

I discover in such times, that I've lulled myself into the false notion that I must control everything--that many of my choices are unnecessary, if not downright foolish.  I find myself in an aisle of whim, and regrets.  And if I'm not careful, I'll soon be rolling over another's ankles with the weight of the excess baggage in my cart.  Then it's best I crawl into the toddler's bay, buckle myself in with prayer, and let the Lord take charge of my cart.  Don't ya think? selahV

 

      

A FEW THINGS I HATE

COMPUTER PROBLEMS  In reality, it's my inability to understand what to do to solve the problems that I loathe.

PHOTOS STUCK IN THE COMPUTER  They're in there.  I can see them in Windows Gallery.  I just can't retrieve them for my posts or to my "paint" program to edit them.  Drives me nuts.

VISTA  I think this is the culprit of all my computer woes.  Maybe not, but it's definitely part of my woes. 

LIES  You know.  When people say one thing but cloak their words so cunningly that the lie is widely accepted as a truth.  This is probably highest on my list.  I have enough trouble trying to understand truth without having to figure out if what someone is saying is a lie clothed in half-truths.

ABORTION  It just ain't right.  And to hear someone like Whoopi Goldberg say she is for it, about drives me wacko.  How can anyone be "FOR" abortion?  God have mercy.

These are just a few things.  What do you hate?  selahV

BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Sometimes we wonder why?  Why death?  Why now?  I've usually taken those questions and answered, Why not?

But there are other whys that cross my mind.  Why didn't I do this?  Why didn't I do that?  Why did I procrastinate?  Why was I so neglectful?  Today I ask, "Why didn't I make a greater effort to know my now-grown niece?  Was I that self-absorbed?"  I think so.

One of the blessings, among many, that I received these past few days in the midst of difficult circumstances, was seeing my brother again after 23 years.  It was great to reconnect with him and a sheer joy to meet my 24 year-old niece, Jennifer.  They live in New England.  Why hadn't we visited?  Why had we let so many years pass without contact?  Stupidity on my part.  Plain and simple.

I pay the price, though.  I am the one who missed out on their lives.  I'm the one who didn't get to share their joys and trials.  Shame on me.

Last Thursday my husband and I met up with Jenn and her mom in Virginia, (they'd come for the graveside service and to take my brother back home).  While we ate dinner, Jenn shared that she still had the little stuffed dog I'd given her when she was a baby.  She'd name her Sarah.  Sarah had survived surgeries to repair her legs, multiple washings and is as love-worn as the Velveteen Rabbit.  It was quite touching to me to discover she'd loved her that much.  Many times Sarah had gotten misplaced in a grocery store, left behind in a restaurant, at someone's home and Jenn's mom and dad had to backtrack to find the little stuffed pup.  Jenn needed her.  Jenn loved her.  As Jenn grew up, she treasured her.  Now Sarah is so fragile Jenn doubts she'd survive another trip through the washing machine.

Fragile.  Life is like that.  Why do we treat it so casually? 

I wonder why, out of all the items Jenn must have received in her life, did that little dog become her treasured security item.  Why did Sarah house all the things that added comfort to her life?  I don't know.  But I must admit, discovering that my tiny gift so long ago provided any measure of pleasure for Jenn's life, blesses me with a kind of bittersweet knowledge.  And as I ponder all the whys of my absence from her childhood, I pray it makes me a better aunt in days ahead and a greater support for her adult life. 

"Behold, You have made my days as short as handbreaths, and my lifetime as nothing in Your sight.  Truly every man at his best is merely a breath!" Psalm 39:5  

As my mind retreated to this verse, I realized afresh that although at my best, I'm merely a breath, surely I can do better than I've done thus far.  selahV     

I'VE JUST GOT TO ISSUE MY PROTEST...

While I was getting ready for an appointment this a.m., I was listening to Fox News.  Senator Tester from Montana was being interviewed about the stimulus bill and the healthcare hopes he has.  He said the system would be like what the VA has now.

IS HE NUTS?

I mean does that man have a clue what he's wishing upon the American people?  THIS is the kind of healthcare they want to thrust upon folks?  My husband has been in that system since his heart attack that left him with congestive heart failure and a 38% ejection fraction.  We've seen his assigned doctor exactly twice in two years.  Know why?  Because three times that he had an appointment they called him the morning of said appointment and cancelled.  So the "system" sets him up another appointment for five months later.

The real irony is that if he misses two scheduled appointments himself, then he is out of the system and has to reapply to get back in.

He's had to stop taking heart medication that he is suppose to be on because he can't get through to the nurse to have them reorder it.  When he finally got through, they said they'd call him back.  That was two months ago.

There is a myth floating around in the world that when a person is on VA that their medicine is free.  NOT TRUE.  There is a co-pay of 8.00 even though you can buy the same medicine at Wal-Mart for 4.00.

If you need to see a doctor it is a myth that you can walk into the clinic and they'll see one.  If you need care you have to find the closest VA hospital for help.

People...get real.  The government stinks at handling healthcare.  Ask the majority of veterans who have no other choices in their care.  They wait months for minor and major care.  And then you are in and out as quickly as they can get you through the door.

Senator Testor needs to go through the "system" and have follow-up care for a heart attack.  He needs to get a colonoscopy and have the incompetent nurses climb on the table and pound on his stomach to get the tube through his intestine.  He needs to enjoy the pleasure of that experience with no anesthesia like my husband had.  Maybe, just maybe, he'd be beating another drum about healthcare.  But then, he doesn't have to have that kind of care.  Taxpayers give him great care.  Uh...come to think of it, wasn't that the same care Obama promised the citizens of the USA?  Just like the Congress enjoys?  HA.  selahV

IF THERE WERE ANY GOOD MEN...

The officiating minister only knew daddy a few years, so his sermon centered around my dad's last few months of suffering, and briefly touched upon folks he would see in heaven since settling in Tennessee just seven years ago.  As he spoke of the glory of heaven and the streets of pure gold, I thought about daddy's entire 88 years and 10-plus months.  There was so much of him to remember--so much to celebrate:  His love for his Savior and the way he praised Him.  His love for his mom and dad--the way he honored them.  His love for his brothers and sisters--the way he visited them every year until his body would no longer allow it.  The way he went to every funeral, though none would make it to his.  The way he respected the grounds where their bodies lay.

So much was left unsaid.  And I suppose that is the way it is when anyone dies.  We each hold memories of how that person touched our individual lives.  There is never any one person who could recap 89 years in 15 minutes.

There is no one who could tell of the sacrifice he made for his country in World War II.  The anguish he harbored as a result of his service.  There was no one who could recount the endless joy he gave to others by his many years of volunteer work as a fireman and rescue squad driver.  There was no one to speak of the decades of dedication he'd rendered his employers and the honesty in which he conducted his life.  There was no one to expand upon his benevolence to his church, his family, friends and strangers.  There was no one to share the results of all the prayers he lifted up in behalf of the lost and the saved. 

However, as I stood at the funeral home and greeted the many strangers who knew daddy only 7 short years in Mountain City, Tennessee, the recurring comment to me about my dad was, "He was a good man....such a good man."  These people knew him from just two years of attending church with them.  They knew him from 5 years of being in a nursing home.  Yet they all said the same thing, "He was a good man."

In my adult years Daddy seemed to try and make up for all he felt he had not done during my childhood.  As any of us would feel as we approach the end of our earthly life, Daddy had many regrets.  And no one could shake him of them no matter how hard we tried.  It didn't matter now.  I loved my daddy.  And if someone were to ask me, I'd have to agree that if there had been any good men in this ole world, my dad could be counted among them.  selahV   

I'M ON THE ROAD

First time I've seen a computer since I left home.  Am in Knoxville, TN.  Am waiting for hubby to load the car and then we'll be back on the road today.  Laid daddy's earthly body to rest in Triangle, VA yesterday.  Will be on the road two more days.  Thanks for praying for me.  What an eventful week and a half!

Any sadness I have for my daddy's absence is superceded by the joy I have in the knowledge of his presence with Jesus and family in heaven.  He's with the saints in glory.  What can I do but envy him?  selahV