SelahV Today by hariette petersen

Oklahoma Acres of Gold

Now is the time of year that Oklahoma springs to life with an abundance of color.  So much of Native American pottery must have been inspired by the glory of fields God graced upon this land.  Through open plains of red earth and wheat-planted fields there rises a splendor of golden daisy-like flowers, and an orange "parasitical" beauty.

Amazing what one man designates a "parasite", a child sees as beautiful bouquets to grace Mommy's kitchen window sills. These brilliant orange flowers set the fields ablaze each Spring. What glory! What beauty and splendor our Creator bestows.

Indian Paintbrushes. Such an appropriate name for the orange blossoms that fill the fields in my daughter's back yard.  Yet, even in their beauty, they rob the nutrients of other plants in the fields when their roots race across the fields and meet with other plants which brands them as hemiparasites.  I've often seen them on my way to Texas blooming quite happily with brilliant Bluebonnets that bless their fields and roadways.

 

WITHOUT LAW, WOULD WE KNOW

Without the law, would we know we needed a Savior?  Could we come to Jesus without knowledge of it?  I don't know the answer to that.  I do know that the law was put in place to lead us to Christ because the Bible says so.  All those shalts and shalt nots have a purpose.   

"So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith."  Galatians 3:24 

What could we measure ourselves against without the law?  We could hardly measure ourselves against another man?  Only Jesus has been perfect in obedience.  Only Jesus is sinless.  The rest of us are condemned already.  Without Christ we are under the curse of God.  Yet, even beneath the curse, He delivers grace upon us till we come to a saving knowledge of His Son.  We cannot justify ourselves, so He is constantly drawing us to Himself.  We are continually rebelling against His call to repentance and faith.  Every day we break the covenant God set forth by Moses.  It is impossible to live perfectly the demands of Matthew 5.  Even on our most perfect day, with our most perfect behavior and attitude, we fall short.  That is why we need a Savior.  How great to know our salvation is bought and paid for.  How great to know I am able to stand in the presence of the Almighty God forever--spotless, without sin, without mistake, without flaw--because I am cleansed and robed in the righteousness of Christ.  How great to be able to share this message of reconciliation with others.  May Jesus be forever praised.

May we each bow down and give Him the glory He so richly deserves for being God.  May we each walk in light of all He did and is doing for us, with us and in us.  selahV 

One of my favorite places

It's peaceful.  Serene.  Great places to eat. Take a virtual tour of Medicine Park, Oklahoma.   Medicine Park is growing.  They are rebuilding, renovating, and creating scenic walks, lodging, and more wonderful places to eat.  If you want a wonderful relaxing vacation where you can camp, hike, swim in lakes, fish, explore gift shops, visit the nearby Holy City, drive through the reservation and photograph buffalo, longhorn and scenery--then this is the place for you.  As a writer, it lends itself to simply rest, listen to God's still small voice and restore your soul.  Here's one place (/link) worth checking out for lodging.

I find this to be a photographer's dream.  So many niches, scenes, and splendor.

 
Atop Mt. Scott.  [Click on photos to enlarge]

Quaint places to eat.

AND...if the serenity is too much for you, you can drive a mere 15 minutes to Lawton/Ft. Sill area for all kinds of restaurants, or a wonderful waterpark, Native Sun.

I like it.  It is an oasis for me to visit this little village area.  I cannot go there without feeling the peace of God.  But then, I am a simple kind of person.  selahV

STUBBORN DOGS

So, I am babysitting a friend's dogs this week.  I've done this before so I didn't foresee any problems.  Presumptuous of me.  Katie didn't want to eat on Wednesday.  I assume she was mad at her owners because they dared go on a holiday without her.  I finally got her to eat by hand feeding her some of the dog food.  Her companions (two cocker-poodles) decided they wanted to be hand-fed, too.  Spoiled stubborn dogs.

The first evening, they didn't want to come into the house for the night.  Katie wouldn't come near me.  You'd think I was a complete stranger (she'd forgotten I fed her that morning).  She literally would not come close to the house.  If I moved toward her, she'd back away.  The little cockers kept running back and forth, in and out of the doorway and I couldn't get any of them to come in and stay.  So, I took some handy dandy dog biscuits and coaxed the cockers inside.  Katie wasn't buying my friendship.  She stood aloof.  Far away from the patio. She didn't know me well enough to trust me, I suppose.  Finally, I threw her a dog-biscuit.  She ate that one, then came closer for the next one.  Then I finally got her close enough to grab her collar. She followed right along with me. 

By the time I had them all corralled, gave them their peanut-butter and cracker treat for the night, I was plum worn out.  That next morning, I spent a great deal of time, petting, and pampering them.  I even went so far as to feed the cockers by hand.  One piece of food at a time until they began eating what was in their bowls.  Last night they came right inside the house.  They eagerly ate their treats and settled down at my feet. 

I considered how God works in our lives like that.

He wants to give us food, and we walk away or turn up our noses at His offerings.  We don't want any of that stuff.  We stay far enough out of His reach that He has to use a bevy of techniques to gain our trust in Him.  He wants the very best for us but we, in our stubbornness, remain aloof.  We can't trust Him...we don't know Him well enough.  He knows we are not comfortable with this new situation in our lives.  He knows what we need to bring us closer--to build a better relationship with Him.  The more we get to know Him, the easier it is to come to Him for sustaining grace and provision for our souls.  Sometimes He simply lets us go to ourselves till we are so hungry for what He has, we surrender.  God is patient enough to wait till we grow confident in our relationship to turn to Him in faith.  He does not force Himself upon us.  He wants us to rely on Him, trust in Him, and let Him care for us as He sees best.

Do you have someone in your life who stands aloof?  at a distance, wary--but still staring, watching from the peripheral edges of your life?  How do you reach someone like this? selahV    

IS THIS OF GOD

When does bonafide reproof cross the line into picking specs out of another's eye?  When does the Holy Spirit need our help?

Do you find yourself on the receiving end of someone's long-winded exhortation and rebuke?  Most folk don't like the least bit of criticism.  They don't like preachers who bring up sin and spell out things to avoid in this world.  Most folk are naturally defensive.  How are we to receive reproof?  Personally, I have no problem with a minister of the gospel preaching, admonishing, reproving, rebuking, and exhorting.  That is his calling. His instruction is biblical. He studies God's word and prays for God's message and delivers that message.  We need it.  Paul exhorted Timothy:   

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." (2 Timothy 4:1–2)

I do not argue with scripture.  Paul charged Timothy "in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ", in the above verse.  He didn't suggest to Timothy that he preach, be ready, reprove, rebuke and exhort; Paul charged him to do so.  What about us?  What do we receive from Paul's instruction to Timothy?

Some Christians read "reprove, rebuke, exhort" and a particular person's sin or misconduct comes to mind and they go straight for the jugular. They feel justified in their rebuke because scripture gives them license to admonish another for sinful actions and attitudes.  In their exuberance and enthusiasm to lay someone out on the carpet, they completely miss the latter part of Paul's instruction. "...with great patience and instruction." 

Is this of God?  What is the purpose of reproof and rebuke without patience or instruction?  What end does it meet to admonish without patience and steadfast love?  What does it accomplish to call a person a hypocrite?  a liar?  a deceiver?  or, for that matter, any name?

I maintain that these pejoratives, coupled with badgering tones of antagonism, do nothing to bring glory to God.  They may serve to build campaigns to destroy and annihilate another's life and ministry, but they do nothing to lay foundations for reconciliation and restoration.  Nothing.  When an admonisher resorts to public ridicule and a perpetual pursuit of defamation of a brother or sister in Christ, do they succeed in their rebuke? Or do they simply poison the mind and spirit of all who are involved in the public scourging? To me, such action does not serve to instruct to restore, but to rebuke to destroy.  It begs the question: Is this of God?  selahV

IS GOD INTERESTED

It depends. God is not interested in dirt. He sent His only begotten Son to die and wipe out dirt.  God is interested in love.  He is interested in covering a multitude of sins.  "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."1 Peter 4:8.

We can have all knowledge and not have one iota of love and faith.  We can know every wrong there is to know and see clearly the unrighteousness of man, but if we have not love in our heart for people we try to expose as sinful, our claim to love and faith is weak at best and non-existent at worst. "...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galatians 5:6b.

In Christ we own hope and righteousness, justification and sanctification.  It's not my place to poke you in the eye and make you righteous; nor can I justify you for anything.  It's not my job to sanctify you; the Spirit of God within you is doing that.  God is not interested in me digging up dirt in my brother's backyard.  God is interested in seeing His children doing such good for one another that He is glorified. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35.

"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

God is interested in ambassadors who are devoted to the "ministry of reconciliation" that draw all men to His Son. He is interested in forgiveness, not condemnation.  He is interested in us wiping away the dirt from our brother's cheeks--not slapping on more.  He is interested in seeing righteousness exceed that of Pharisees who constantly set themselves above the people as judge and jury. God is not interested in smut, dirt, pride and self-righteousness. He is not blind; he's interested in humility, meekness, kindness and gentleness.  All that counts is what is eternal.  "He has committed to us the message".  If our eyes are constantly looking down, gazing at the things of this earth--the weaknesses and flaws of man--we call attention to disgrace and do nothing, absolutely nothing, for the eternal.  Think a moment.

What is the "message" we bring to the world with hammering, nailing, and stripping a person down in the world of public opinion? Is that not a distortion of the "message of reconciliation" He "committed to "us"? God is not interested in bent fingers and broken keyboards; He's interested in bent knees and broken hearts. 

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." Galatians 5:13-15

Stop putting out the Light within you.  Stop throwing your salt to the wind.  Treat one another as you would want to be treated.  Restore one another as you would want to be restored.  Lift up another's burden to the throne of grace; don't stand upon the burden and stomp to bring them further down.  That is not love.  selahV

THE BLAME GAME

It's so easy to blame another for the carnage we bring upon ourselves and those we love. It rings hollow to claim others are being mean to us simply because we stand with a gigantic "S" on our chests for the Supersaints we imagine ourselves to be.  We point our blood-soaked fingertips at the world and say this happened as a result of the righteousness we have exhibited, and it's all someone else's fault.  Why should we be surprised when the volcano erupts and spews its ash upon our heads? We laugh at a brother's ash covered face, then we wail:

Why me, Lord?  I've ministered in Thy name! I have pointed out the iniquity of every single person I see sinning--who waste Your money, and teach things I know You do not condone.  Look, Lord; look!  I've saved them all on my computer. I've linked them to others so they will also see their sin.  I've exposed these atrocities. I've written many posts defending all the oppressed, the maligned, the unfortunate. My hands are clean; I've only exposed the truth.  Why am I now being persecuted for Thy name's sake? 

It's so very hard to go to the well and look down to see who is really at fault for the havoc we've unleashed upon ourselves and those we love.  Shame on us.

Our faultless rhetoric means nothing to God.  Our pretty words and fancy writing do nothing to change the fact that it is we who call attention to the trash dumped upon our doorsteps.  It is our very own, verbose spewing that says:  Come smell the garbage, world!  Come look at how horrible the world treats me for daring to circumcise another in the name of Christ!  Look at what others do to me because I am so good.

False humility is a gall-soaked sponge to our Savior's lips.  "Forgive them, for they know not what they do."  Shame, shame on us.

"Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess."

I look forward to Your return, when You bring my reward.  Surely you have a "well done" in Your hand for me; I do not need a crown.

"Depart from me, I  have not known you."   

Oh, Most High God, we beg Thee; give us eyes to see ourselves, ears to hear ourselves, and the wisdom to look to You for cleansing power.  Woe, are we of unclean lips.  Forgive us, Lord.  Forgive us for laughing when we should be crying.  selahV

 
Luke 18:11-12; Matthew 7:22-23; Isaiah 6:5; Psalm 139:23-24

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Are you on the right track?  Are you headed in the right direction?  Sometimes we have to examine ourselves.  We must look at the track we are on.  We must stop and take stock of the environment around us.  Do we belong here?  Are we hooked to a train loaded with explosives and hazardous elements?  Do we need to be on this route? The track before us may seem as straight as the one pictured here.  But where is it leading?  Is it time to get off? To unhook our engine from other cars that are loaded down with garbage?  Is it time to follow another railway? 

I'm beginning to think so.  I really am.  selahV

[ONE TRACK WORTH FOLLOWING...perhaps you'll hook your train to this one: (/link)]

JOY BEYOND THE BUBBLE

It's far more lasting than this.  It doesn't burst when some external splinter pierces the sphere of our souls.  No.  It lasts beyond the sheer joy of creating the perfect bubble of life.  It's the anticipation, the expectation, the faith that rests within--no matter what the weather is outside.  Life just bubbles over with the assurance that Christ is always with us. Always--come rain or shine.  That is joy.  selahV

BLOWING BUBBLES (/link)

Fasting for the Sabbath

I yearn for the freshness of the Spirit of the Most High God. I thirst for Him.  I cease my seeking after things of man--fame, fortune--popularity, position.  I fast from earth's pleasures and hunger no more for them.  A taste of heaven is on my tongue.  The presence of the Lord and His holiness is my desire.  I fast for the sabbath of my soul.  Examine me.  Cleanse me.  Restore me, my Redeemer.    I am thirsty for You.

 

MOTHER'S DAY MAGNETS, 4 Easy Steps

So I had the girls over and we made "mommy" magnets.  Below are photos of materials needed and step by step assembly by none other than Miss Haylee and Miss Kinsey.  They were very diligent in following directions and it was one of the simplest crafts I ever put together for them.

I used plastic bottle caps.  Stuck a round magnet on the back.  Filled the cap with Elmer's glue.  Then added the inside decorations.  *DRIED* rice, beans, split peas.

I had all the items laid out on the table before I brought in the girls.  Then I sat down in front of them and guided them through each step.  Have a damp washcloth handy to wipe those sticky fingers.

STEP 1) Remove the paper sticker off the self-stick magnet.

STEP 2) Push the sticky side of magnet onto the topside (outer side) of the bottle cap.

"Haylee; did you know that God makes beans, and peas and rice?"  (A time to teach about God's provision.)

STEP 3) Squeeze Elmer's glue into the center of the inside of the bottle cap about half-full.

 
STEP 4) Generously drop your beans, rice, and peas into the cap and press down.  Haylee got creative and added a few grains of rice to her beans and peas.  I always let them individualize their creations.  Whatever they choose to do within the bounds of the tiny space in front of them, I say "Go for it!"

"Why beans and rice, Grama?"

"Because we're making magnets for the kitchen.  And Mommy cooks with beans, and rice and peas."

"That's a good idea!"  Whew!  I'm sure glad it was a good idea.  If not, Haylee might have taken her magnets apart and began sticking in fresh daisies.

Hope you enjoy this little craft.  It's great for Sunday School craft.  It took all of 10 minutes for us to put these together. 

One bit of advice:  Have a little plastic plate beneath the space where they actually assemble their magnets.  I usually do this.  Duh, didn't this time and you can see the clean-up I had all over the table and onto the floor.  Not bad, just had to sweep.  But could be avoided with plates or trays under their bottle caps.  selahV   

[CLICK ON ANY PHOTO FOR AN ENLARGEMENT]

[Check out my KIDS' MATTERS Blog for Insights and Hindsights]

COMMON MATTERS by Hariette Petersen

One Textbook's "Myth", is another's Fact (/link).

PICK UP YOUR STONE

Wipe the blood from its surface.  Reconcile yourself to your brother.  Beg him to forgive you for your unclean thoughts against him.  Ask him to release you from the judgment and condemnation you threw against his brow.

Accept the forgiveness of the Father for the forgiveness you have rendered.  Then go and sin no more.   

If not for the Grace of God...

...where would you be?  Where would anyone be?  Some folks think grace and Christian are bound in some kind of synonymous exclusivity.  That God's grace is reserved for Christians who trust in Christ the Lord--who recognize, believe and understand all the various doctrines which consume the word.  Saving grace.  To me, that kind of grace segregates most of life from the womb to the grave.  Where is grace for the abused and molested?  Where is grace for the aborted life?  Where is grace for the tortured and maimed?  Where is grace for the abandoned and betrayed?

 

Why, grace abounds!  It envelopes the whole of life and binds the simple innocent proclamation, I believe the 'word' near my heart, in my heart.  It's in my mouth and yours.

"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,...the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,...for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  ^{{Romans 10}

Yet, even when I did not call, nor believe--grace surrounded me.  Kept me.  Protected me.  Nudged me; drew me.  Indeed, it even edified me.  I look back on my life before Christ and realize how little I knew of Jesus other than He being vainly addressed in the heat of an argument, or explained in Sunday School by a humble Christian mother.  As a child I lived with cruelty and venomous attitudes.  They were placed on my plate from the time I was a mere toddler.  I cannot remember a single day where there was not an argument in my home.  Not one.  I cannot recall a single time I did anything that my stepmother didn't criticize, condemn or ignore.  I was always wrong, always lazy, always stupid, always "just like my mother".  Yet amid all that, she gave me cookies, made me dresses, washed my clothes, and on Saturday nights--she curled my hair.  I lived in a world of unpredictable explosions, fits of anger and euphoric songs of praise.  Strange.  Very strange.  Such mania.

 

I can remember things I thought that were downright evil.  Unspeakable things, vindictive things.  Fearfilled, sleepless nights were normal.  In spite of all that evil, grace encompassed it all.  Grace shrouded the elements of evil with the love and benevolence of God.  Grace took all the evil and kept it from literally destroying me.

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:15-17. ESV

My Creator held me and my world together.  Despite the life I was born into, God surrounded me with people who showed me grace.  They bathed me in compassion, empathy, and prayer.  Sunday school teachers.  Strangers.  An uncle.  A few step-cousins.  Days were dressed with butterflies, blue ribbons, and sparkling creeks.  Sunshine, daisies, and dandelions.  Kittens, puppies, and bluebirds.

 

Life is filled with the grace of God; grace abounds.  Until we leave this world, with or without Jesus in our lives, we will have grace abounding.  Why would God bestow such grace upon this evil world?  Why would He seemingly look the other way when such atrocities exist?  I have no idea.  But I know one thing.  He loves us in the midst of it all.  He died for us because He first loved us.  Perhaps God expects we who are called by His name to extend His grace to people like the child I once was?  So others could choose to permanently receive His saving grace through Jesus the Christ, and live eternally in His presence.  Could we all live with that purpose in our hearts and minds?  We could.  But only some will.  Others will go their own way.  If not for the grace of God, where would we be?  selahV

STOP CASTING STONES

They brought an adulteress before Jesus to have her stoned.  Jesus said, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7b

Has someone brought someone before you to judge?

To condemn?  Are you holding a stone?

 
How dare they?  Outrageous.  How could they?  Can you hear those words whispered in your ears? 

Are you irritated?  ...offended by some sinner before you?  Does your skin crawl?  Have they hurt someone you love?  Does their sinfulness keep you awake at night--writing, typing, tweeting, texting, crafting ways to let their sin be known to others?  How low can people stoop?

Superiority.  Self-righteousness.  Judgment.  Hatred.

Are you without sin?

Please.  Throw down your stone.

Do you know someone who is being repeatedly stoned?

Do you know someone who is holding the stones?

Who are they to cast a stone?  Who are they to batter, blast, and cram stones down another's throat?  Are you holding a stone?  Put it down. Drop it. Toss it aside.

"Go, and sin no more." 

Save

WHEN BLOG POSTS ARE DISPENSABLE

Everyone has a reason for reading what they read.

Bloggers usually have a reason for writing what they write when publishing a blog.  From political bile to ministry of broken-hearted. Freedom of speech opens the door to nearly everything--including slander, misrepresentation, gossip--even vindictive hatred.  All is permissible.  That is the world.

Is that liberty in Christ?

As Christians we are called to a higher righteousness than the world. {Matthew 5:20).  Our blogging space might be considered an extension of our life in Christ, where folks who need comfort or encouragement could find posts that edify, inform and produce a measure of the Spirit of God in words, style, and tone.  Writing is a medium where communication is restricted; one cannot see into another's eyes, reach across the table and pat a hand, elbow someone in jest.  We have no vision into the soul's intent.  All we have is letters, words, and sentences--as well as a blogger's history--to determine what one is trying to communicate.  Occasionally we have podcasts or videos that lend a bit more voice to the heart of man.  Nevertheless, we are living in a world where people are rarely held accountable for the vitriol they spew.  Even Christians.  There are no blog police.  Yet, some blog posts are dispensible--useless garbage.  Why do some find pleasure in their odor of death?  Why do some folks feed on their decay?  I do not know.

As Christians "...our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." {Ephesians 6:12)  Indeed, the demons from hell, and Satan, himself.  We also battle professing Christians who are so filled with hatred and bitterness, that they trash the children of God to destroy them.  They malign character.  They manipulate.  They strategize, collaborate and form covies with evil.  Why?  To place themselves higher on a pedastal of public opinion?  To destroy a reputation?  To destroy a family?  If not, the results are the same.  Some people are not satisfied until a particular person they seek to malign is removed from office, loses a ministry, or their guts are strewn on the ground.  They never stop to consider innocent children, precious wives or husbands--the collateral damage.  As far as I am concerned these kind of bloggers with their posts do nothing but puke upon the feet of Jesus.  And someday, my friends, the dog shall return to its own vomit, and the cleansed sow to her mire. {2 Peter 2:18-22)

How do we know when a blog crosses the line of informing to inciting violence and hatred?

If it smells like death, it is death.  If it smells like life and love, and peace, and goodness, and kindness, and joy, and humility, it is Life.  If it does not produce love in you for a fellow Christian--it is death.  If it does not stir you unto righteous, honorable, and holy attitudes, it is death.  If it stirs you to more of the same writing to spread a tale of darkness, it is death.  If it does not draw you closer to the Living Lord through a need to intercede and pray for others--it is death.  If all you do is write more and pray less, then it is death.  If it is not something you'd want to share in Sunday School to edify, and build up the body--it is death.  And, it leads others to death, not salvation nor good works.

As Christians do we have a responsibility to the body of Christ to let another know when the line has been crossed?  I suppose it depends on the blog and the blog owner, doesn't it?  Some bloggers are blind to their sin.  Humor at the expense of another's character is funny.  Puns, smears and unbridled bluntness is cute.  Brutality cloaked in a smiley-face is not irenic grace, nor honesty.  Spiteful rhetoric reconciles no one to anything--it divides--it destroys.  These bloggers seek only to gain notoriety and will use any means to accomplish such.  Such is the death of man.  It links itself to whomever it can to spread more death.  What can we do?  What can I do?

I can do little in the scheme of things.  I have no reputation.  I have no platform from which to complain.  I only have this little blogsite.  But I will fill my Lord's bottles with tears, and His vials with prayer for the saints. {Rev.5:8)  I will pray for my adversaries that the Lord pours upon them the coals of fire to purify their minds and mouths. {Isaiah 6:6-8)  I will dedicate my writing to bring a sweet fragrance of Christ unto God.  I will yield any vengeance within the corners of my mind, or walls of my heart, to God and pray He purges me from all unrighteousness.  I will weep, because I can do no less than my Savior did for me on His way to Jerusalem.  Will you join me?  selahV

 

Went for a walk with Jesus today...

...and I feel better, now.  Has it happened to you?  You get up in the morning without a negative thought in your mind.  You feel pretty good about life in general.  Oh, you may have a few aches and pains.  And you may have to juggle the bills a bit to make sure Peter gets paid the money you took from him last month to pay Paul.  You may even discover your milk has exceeded its expiration date.  But all in all, life is good.  You have fairly good health, you still have friends who love you, and family to set you straight when you don't quite measure up to perfection demanded by world opinion-ators.  Then...

...then someone says something, does something that simply stabs you in the core of your being.  Your heart races.  Your stomach lurches.  Tears sting your eyes.  You take a deep breath and count to ten, then twenty.  But the pain within you doesn't go away.  You are certain you aren't angry--it feels like heartache.  The kind you get when someone picks on your child or betrays a trust.  May I suggest you go for a walk?

Put down the telephone.  Get away from the television set.  Shut down the computer.  Grab a water bottle and head for the hills.  Or in my case--just walk around the block five or six times until you have talked it all out with Jesus.  He has a way of setting all things back into place--aligning the err of man and refreshing your spirit.  Let it go...mentally put it all in His nail-scarred hands.  Let Jesus take it to the Father.  He may do something about it; He may not.  He may just laugh.  But one thing is certain--it will not go unnoticed.  Cast "your burden upon the Lord, for He cares for you" and those you love.  He won't ignore you.  selahV

Blogger's Blight

Have you had it?  I have.  When I first started blogging, my heart brimmed with great expectations.  I envisioned designing a colorful blog, and writing inspirational stuff to encourage the masses.  Somewhere along the course of things, my hopes and ambitions withered (that's what happens to something infected with blight).  I lost heart.  Not in the Lord, mind you--but definitely in the blogging community. 

I branched out with my main blog, which I started in 2006 to keep myself from going absolutely insane over the loss of my son, Chad.  I only knew one person on the internet, so my blog grew from that core.  I started a few blogs which I have eliminated from my blogroll.  I built Feminine Matters hoping to develop some dialog with other women.  Hardly a peep.  I created Daily Impact and found most folks don't really have much to say to a devotional thought.

My stats indicate that my readership has grown, 65% of my readership is new every day.  I was greatly encouraged at that discovery.  I sure wish some of you folks would leave a comment and say hello...tell me what brought you here, how can I keep you coming by.  What interests you?  Am I accomplishing my goal to encourage, inspire, edify?

I was "stumbled upon" by someone who recommended my site to folks.  The message said,

"A member of the StumbleUpon user community previously added your page to StumbleUpon's index of hi-quality, human-powered content.

Now, each time StumbleUpon refers a user to your page (based on StumbleUpon's analysis of what that user's friends and other like-minded users have recommended) --voila! --an entry in your referral log will be generated."

I was pretty impressed with that message, but wondered if it was just one of those generic messages the cyber-search engine sites use to get you to sign up with them.  I don't know.  I'm so SEO limited.  SEO is "Search Engine Optimization, the process of improving ranking in search engine results."  Who knows for sure?  Sincerity is a rare commodity these days.  I digress (someone shoot that rabbit!). 

The online dictionary says blight is "an extremely adverse environmental condition, such as air pollution."  I thought about that and realized the air in which my blog floated for the most part was polluted--with debate, confrontations, and religious politics.  I didn't fit in.  Not at all.  I don't like that kind of stuff.  Don't like the back and forth, the analyzing of every single word one writes--the contending, the arguments that aren't arguments.  Don't like motives being presumed, attacks being lodged.  It's just not very loving.  One can get infected with that kind of writing style and opinionated dialog, and before one knows it, they are eaten up with it.  Also, it is dominated by men.  Most of the women that venture into those sites weren't like me.  They enjoyed battling it out with the guys.  Not my idea of fun.  Ask my husband.

Thus, I've decided I have Blogger's Blight.  This blight upon my heart and mind leaves me wondering.  Why in the world do I do this? Sometimes I find myself surrounded in an "air" of suffocating bitterness, anger, finger-pointing, talebearing and slander.  I cannot breathe.  The scent is overwhelming. 

I've been thinking about a remedy for this blight.  It's not like I can go down to Lowe's and purchase some kind of spray, some kind of repellant.  I've thought about how one gets rid of blighted stems on a rose bush.  They cut it off.  The healthy stems are nurtured and fed, tilled and fertilized.  Could that be it?  Chop off the blighted part of my blogging experiences?  Feed on the Word of God and develop a better root system?  Then bloom, grow fruit, and wait upon the Lord for the harvest?  I think so.

We who blog for Jesus, are the fragrance of Christ.  At least that is how I see myself in the kingdom's garden.  Lilacs, roses, hyacinths and more.  May my scent bring pleasure to my Father, and all those He brings my way.  God bless you today.  selahV

One man's arrogance is another man's wit

Ever notice that?  When one person uses sarcasm and wit--they are criticized for being arrogant and mean-spirited--ah, yes, even un-Christ-like.  Yet, if one spends enough time in the critic's stomping grounds, one quickly sees the same--uh, "arrogance", only now it is labeled wit, sarcasm, and tongue-in-cheek humor.  Tomato, to-may-toe, to-mah-toe.  Such is life in all its sardonic mockery.  One man's drink is another man's poison, I suppose.  One man's joke is another's veiled animosity.

Likewise is the accusation of hypocrisy.  One man (let's call him Benny) condemns another (let's call him Abe).  Seems Benny is upset that Abe critiqued Benny's friend's work or preaching style.  Benny accuses Abe of misrepresentation, falsehoods, arrogance, hypocrisy and being flat out disingenuous.  Benny quickly points out Abe's penchant for attacking brothers in Christ.  Benny nails Abe to the cross for being dismissive and mean in comment streams.  Benny demands that Abe admit fault and repent.  Abe does not believe he is guilty of doing that which he's been accused of.  Benny is so torqued, he turns around and writes a post condemning Abe for being a hypocrite for daring to challenge his friend in the first place.  The finger pointing goes back and forth and others join the frey. Benny-bandwagon circles their wagons and everyone starts calling Abe the hypocrite. 

One man's hypocrite, is another man's epitome of righteousness.  One man's righteousness is another's unrighteousness.  It is absolutely mind-boggling.  I think that must be why the Lord said, "judge not, lest you too will be judged."  Don't you think?

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2

When is judging another's words or actions permissible?  When is judging another's character and motives permissible?  I'd suppose anytime one doesn't mind being judged himself. selahV

FRACTURED GRACE

Multiple cuts in the crystal allow beams of light reflections.  These beams, though pure and white, penetrate the clear glass and explode into brilliant hues of violet, blue, red, orange, and yellow.  Grace hits earth and explodes like that.  The purity of God's grace penetrates the world and touches all around it with fractured colors of sympathy, empathy, love, joy, peace, and goodness.  Yet, the wicked shield their eyes from its brilliance.  They move on into the darkness of familiarity and pride, even though God offers the promise of so much more--no more destruction, no more death--but life eternal..

"Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the LORD." Isaiah 26:10

Yes, grace is shown the wicked.  Grace is shown to draw all unto the Savior.  Yet, some face Grace and do not learn the righteousness that pours forth from it.  They ignore it.  They reject it.  How long will He be patient?  How long with He tolerate idolatry and self-sufficiency?  How long will He let the vile be vile, the unjust be unjust and treat fellow Christians with arrogant superiority?  How long will the righteous be allowed to act unrighteously and treat their brethren with less regard than the vile?  How long will the Lord tarry holding the prism of glory in His hand?  selahV

What grace is there?

...in condemnation?  in judgmental accusations?  in tale-bearing?  in gossip?

While others do these things to us, are we to return the favor?  Or are we to stand in the righteousness of Christ and silence the critics without personal defense?  Can we not share the gospel of our living Lord without pointing fingers at adversaries?  at brothers and sisters in Christ?

"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." Revelation 22:11 KJV

Our Redeemer lives.  Our Deliverer is coming.  May we be found faithful in our own righteousness and merciful in our own speech.  May we seek first the kingdom of God and leave the devil to dance without our partnership.  selahV

What are you doing with your gift?

I gave my husband a pair of slippers for Christmas.  His old ones were totally worn out.  Holes in the toes, soles and sides.  Falling apart.  It's taken a while, but he has finally started wearing the new ones.  When he puts them on and goes to the mailbox, I feel all kinds of good inside.  I also gave him a book.  It sat on the shelf for a long time before he started reading it.  As long as it sat there, I wondered if he liked it.

Are you happy when you give someone a gift and they take delight in it when they open it?  Doesn't it give you greater joy when you see them wear it, read it, or use it?  When we become Christians, the Spirit of God gives us gifts to use in building up His church.  Imagine receiving the Spirit's gift and leaving it on a shelf--unused.  Can it please Him? Could it be that the church has lost its influence, its power, its productivity in society because there are so many gifts left unused?   

^"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10

Whether we are given hospitality, administration, exhortation, generosity, mercy, or any other gift, God wants us to use "whatever gift" we receive to serve others.  When we do this, we faithfully administer God's grace to others in various ways--as many ways as we are individually gifted.  Christ didn't just die to save us--He died that we might have life abundant.  Some of the greatest times in my Christian life have been when other Christians used their gifts to minister to me in my hour of need:

When I was lost and I was visited in my home, in the hospital, and months afterwards till I received Christ myself.  When my five-year-old son was hit by a school bus.  When our house needed to be roofed within two days, and men gathered in the pouring rain to replace it.  When my husband lost his job and church members supplied us with a truckload of food and money to pay the rent.  When we lost our 33 year-old son and people showed up in droves to comfort us--and helped us meet financial needs.  When my husband had his heart-attack and Christians supplied us with grocery money, rent money, and living expenses.  When they mowed our lawn, and loaned us an air-conditioned car.  When total strangers in a sister church from another state sent us money to supplement my husband's meager earnings.

Again and again, we have been recipients of the grace of God in various forms because of faithful Christians.  Christians gifted by the Spirit of God.  Christians using those gifts to minister.  Can I do less with my gift?  Can you?   

Why do you need validation?

How often we give of ourselves, yet receive no appreciation.  A mother cooks and a child turns up its nose.  A child studies hard, but the best of his or her effort is ignored in light of one average grade in one particular subject.  A husband works all day to provide for clothing, shelter, food--only to be handed a "to-do list" of requests the moment he walks in the door: Take the baby; feed the dog; fix the toilet; mow the lawn.  Elderly parents are ignored; wisdom they have gleaned from longevity and experience is set aside--out of touch with today's reality.

Why do we need man's approval?  Why do we hunger for it?  Should not our words and deeds all be for Christ alone?

Long ago I gave up looking for approval and validation from my parents.  I came to grips with a sound fact; it is not they who measure my worth or value.  Yet, throughout my life, I sought validation from peers, those I ministered unto, and even my children. Most often, I wasn't even aware I sought it.  Validation is something we all seek from someone, somewhere.  No other place is this seen as clearly as in writing to please the masses.  Writers write because they must.  But what if there are no readers?  Do we bend our principles, our focus, to tantalize?  To incite, to gossip, to carry tales, to condemn others, to bring attention to ourselves?  Or do we move forward, forming our sentences and thoughts to pour out of a heart pure in the sight of God? 

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever." 1 Peter 4:10-11.

"If anyone serves..."  If anyone writes?  If anyone cooks?  If anyone mows a lawn, tends to a child?  "do it...so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." 

How great it is to know that our validation is in Christ Jesus.  Not in man. When our motives are pure--and we seek to glorify Christ--validation is not necessary.  Let God be praised. selahV

Are you living for God or yourself?

I wonder.  Sometimes I look at my life and recall days when I was healthy, young, and so involved in every aspect of the church.  I recall the laundry-mat conversations with strangers.  I think of the joy in teaching children that Jesus was born and died and was resurrected.  I remember the love of God and conversations I had with children who had lost a puppy, found a frog, were moving away--the fears, the joys, the sadness.  I remember all-night camp experiences with youth, and teaching them how to love one another beyond themselves.  I consider days when volleyball was an activity that stretched muscles out of place, but brought youth together to show how to love one another--despite the fact that not all were athletic.  I remember teaching them to look to Jesus as their point of reference when making decisions that effect their lives--everything from who they dated, to which college they attended.  I remember writing and directing dramas that exemplified the Life of Christ.  I remember visiting, providing meals for the ill, comforting others during the loss of family members.  But what about today?

As I have aged, I realize how little I actively, physically, live for God today.  How little I do beyond the walls of my home.  How few people I influence for Christ.  It saddens me.  I think about this writing thing I have going on.  I know I am given this opportunity--but often find myself flailing about without direction.  Am I writing for God or myself?  Am I writing for God or others?  Does what I have to say matter?  Really?  Not always.  Yet, every single solitary thing my Lord did with His life on earth was ever mindful of His Father's will.  Can I do less?

I'm studying 1 Peter 4 right now.  I see how my emotional and physical sufferings are simply pinpricks of trial to glorify God.  I know there are others in far worse shape than I.  I am ashamed I even consider my own pain in light of what I witness in others.  To speak of it seems like whining to me.  I see how others are able to do much more than I.

May the Lord give them strength, boldness, and love to use their health, their youth, their gifts and talents in a way that glorify God?  Let me see ways I may undergird them with whatever assistance I can to fulfill the will of God in their lives. 

"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." 1 Peter 4:1-2.

Satan Thought It was finished on Friday, then...

...Sunday dawned.  He and his angels were dancing, drinking, and celebrating the death of Jesus.  They were probably so drunk they didn't even know what day it was.  Satan heard the walls of hell tremble as the stone was rolled away.  He cried all day Sunday, then on Monday, he got up and went to work.

Satan could not destroy the Son of God.  The Son of God had just died on the cross and paid the price for man's sin.  We who believe in, cling to, and rely upon Jesus as Redeemer, are made righteous because He took our judgment for unrighteousness and made us righteous.  Jesus rose again and defeated death.  But the devil?  He must destroy the Son's message.  He must keep you from letting anyone else know about the freedom in Christ.  Satan and his demons want to extinguish the Light in you--dim it, blacken it, block it.  He doesn't want you or me to live holy lives.

So, today is Monday.  The devil is walking about like a roaring lion, stalking us, and looking for the perfect opportunity to devour us.  Don't let him fool you.  He's out to get you.  He's out to destroy your witness...rob you of joy...and tell you the victories you have on Sunday don't count on Monday.  Don't believe the lies.  

"Why Jesus Changes Water Into Wine" by hariette petersen

6 REASONS I BELIEVE IN ABSTINENCE:

1--No sense giving Satan a foothold.

2--The Bible warns against it again and again.

3--Related to 75,000 deaths a year.

4--New Brain Cells Develop as a Result of Abstinence (/link).

You can literally reverse alcohol damage to the brain by abstaining.

5--PREVENTS Unborn Babies' Brains from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. (/link) Would save $405,000 per baby in direct special services from birth to 65 years, according to San Diego Dept. of Health Services.

6--CRIMES WOULD DECREASE. (/link)

Hell Trembles, The KING has Risen!

Beyond the Grave

  

Please pray for Peter Lumpkins and family

Peter lost his brother yesterday.  Please remember him and his family in prayer.  selahV

POWERFUL ACTS OF FORGIVENESS

Watch the Lifetime Movie on your computer.  AMISH GRACE.  Story of the little girls murdered by their local milkman.  Moving.  Heartwrenching.  And beautiful expressions of God's love and grace.  To watch the whole movie on your computer, just go here (/link).  selahV

When One Thing Is FINISHED...

We often wonder what's next when one thing is finished...from my newspaper column: COMMON MATTERS.