SelahV Today by hariette petersen

God sees what we cannot

And when we least expect it, God brings things into our lives to fuel us, empower us and strengthen us. Sometimes He mixes yesterday with today to give us exactly what we need to step into tomorrow.

Today as I sat amid piles and piles of paperwork, trying to get a list compiled for our insurance company regarding the losses in our recent robbery, I felt discombobulated.  Ever felt discombobulated? My stepmother use to say that all the time when she felt totally perplexed and helpless to meet the challenges before her.

It was mind boggling trying to remember when items were purchased that were stolen. It was exhausting rummaging through boxes and drawers trying to find information about my belongings to put on the list. It was frustrating that I couldn't remember the exact model of things I owned and used every single day.

As I pressed forward in my searches, I wondered why the man with whom I set up an appointment for a quote to replace my damaged doors, had not shown up... had not even called to say why.  I wondered why another contractor had not called me back.  I wondered why the security company I called never returned my call.

Then a lovely Corrie ten Boom quote came to mind, "Every experience God gives you, every person He places in your life, is the perfect preparation for the future, that only He can see." 

I can't see the future.  I can't know why people fail to do what they say, or the reason for complexities in life. I don't know why a complete stranger would choose my home to pillage and destroy.  But God can. And God does. And I take comfort in that.

Not long after that quote came to mind, my doorbell rang. Expecting to see the man with whom I'd made the appointment to fix my doors, I was surprised to discover my pastor standing on my porch. He'd come to encourage me, to pray with me, and also to deliver a love gift from some unknown person. Such a humbling, sweet God-sent surprise.

A little while later, as I rummaged through a box in the garage, I came across a little group of cards my son had sent me years ago. One was sooo funny. He told me how great I was in every way, yet never could throw a "knuckleball". The sweetest one talked about how "as moms we know how to support each other".  It was a Mother's Day card from 2004 in which he wrote, "Thank you for helping and showing me how to be a lil' mom in the dad that I am.  However things turn out with my time shared with my girls, I owe it all to you. Love you mom, Chadder." 

Isn't it amazing, that in the midst of all my aggravation with the robbery, because of the robbery, I found some cards I had tucked away that my son had given me so long ago? and those very cards came forth today to lift my spirits? to give me worth? Indeed, Every experience we have, God will use again and again to move us ever onward to the goal He's set before us.

Verses That Influenced 50 Years of Marriage for My Husband and Myself

Soon after I became a Christian in 1975, a little old lady named Bertha gave me this first passage to memorize... It's met my need on many many occasions and proved invaluable--especially when I didn't understand circumstances and feelings:

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

This passage explained the mystery of love to me, a person who was terribly confused about love and what it was ... it helped me grow more and more in love with my husband. It taught me "how" to love beyond the feelings... the platitudes... the worldly stereotypes of fairytales and Hollywood make-believe.  This kinda love is true love... when practiced, it corrects a multitude of errors and mistakes in a relationship and builds strength in a marriage:

"⁴ Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, ⁵ never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. ⁶ It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. ⁷ If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.

⁸ All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever. Someday prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge—these gifts will disappear. ⁹ Now we know so little, even with our special gifts, and the preaching of those most gifted is still so poor. ¹⁰ But when we have been made perfect and complete, then the need for these inadequate special gifts will come to an end, and they will disappear.

¹¹ It’s like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things. ¹² In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face-to-face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.

¹³ There are three things that remain—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." 1st Corinthians 13:4-13

Among these longer passages was this particular verse for me... I learned early on how to do this... messed up a lot during the early going and even today I blow it... but this is key for women... as far as I'm concerned: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Ephesians 5:22

And for those men out there who might take time to read my post... my husband didn't have to work on this one... he started following it the day he said "I do" and has never stopped: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her," Ephesians 5:25

My husband has sacrificed all for me.. has put me first in so many ways I can hardly think of one time he didn't (and of course there are a few).  He would die for me... though he chose to live for me.  He's blessed me beyond measure with dependability, tolerance, love, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, gentleness, friendship, generosity, and goodness.  If all men did this without complaint, nor asking anything in return, I do believe every woman would have zero problem wanting to "submit as unto the Lord" to their man.  Just a few verses in thousands that has helped us celebrate 50 years of marriage.  selahV

"Even When It Hurts..."

...you keep on keeping on.

By doing so, you please God and fulfill your promises and commitment to Him. He sees when others do not.  He understands when others don't.  He hears when others are deaf to your needs.  He gives grace when others fail you, mock you, ridicule you, accuse you, attack you, or treat you with disdain.

IT WAS FROM THIS MORNING'S SERMON, the question was posed from Psalms 15:
"LORD, who may stay in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy mountain?"

Amid the other parts of the sermon, the portion that stood out to me was, he "who keeps his word even when it hurts".

No matter what the world dishes out, what people do to us, what circumstances present in our lives... the thing that matters to God, is those of us who promise Him something and keep on working towards fulfilling that promise... "EVEN WHEN IT HURTS".

1LORD, who may stay in your tent?

Who may dwell on your holy mountain?

2The one who lives with integrity,

who does righteous deeds,

and who speaks truth to himself.

3The one who does not slander with his tongue,

who does no evil to his neighbor,

and who does not destroy his friend’s reputation.

4The one who despises those who are utterly wicked,

but who honors the one who fears the LORD,

who keeps his word even when it hurts and does not change,

5who does not loan his money with interest,

and who does not take a bribe against those who are innocent.

The one who does these things will stand firm forever."

[Love biblehub.com.  They are such a help in comparing the versions of Scripture. Use it when you are studying or researching a passage. You're sure to love it, too.]

Eternity Thought:

When you do the right thing for all the right reasons and do not see fruit from your labor...

do not be discouraged--

eternity is a long time;

it may take a while for results to be visible and rewards to catch up to you.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Just do the right thing...be kind, be generous, be loving... "as unto the Lord".  He sees. He knows. And it is a sweet fragrance to Him.

Sometimes We Make Mistakes

And when we do, we have to live with the consequences of our choices. 

I'm not talking about the things we do that are wrong, or choices made with evil intentions.  I'm talking about making a decision and finding out afterwards that it was the wrong decision... the wrong choice. 

Poor discernment.

In my case, I let the mercy within me take me on an emotional decision-making experience that turned out to be the wrong choice.  Today I am very sad about it.  I'm sad it didn't work out.  I'm sad I have failed to be what I thought I could be.  I'm sad that it appears as though there is nothing I can do to fix the unfixable.

But the worst feeling is that I have come to a point where I find I cannot love the unlovable.  I am beyond weak.  I am without excuse or answer.

Sometimes we are forewarned. Friends advise us. They counsel us and caution us. But we think we know best. Sometimes we must admit we were very, very wrong and everyone else was right. SIGH... it's hard to accept we can be soooo wrong when we thought we were doing so right.

I'm not sure where God is taking me on this journey. I'm not sure if I can right it.  Or if I'm suppose to simply live with it. Until I figure this out, I will wait.  I will wait upon the Lord till He renews my strength... till tomorrow when He gives me new mercies to meet the morning.  I will keep acknowledging Him and wait for Him to direct my path. 

My eyes are clouded, my mind is mush, my heart is cold, my spirit is hungry... and I'm so sad.  And broken.  Yet maybe not broken enough.

Spirit, Truth and Feeling Giddy?

Worship is not about feeling all gooey and giddy.  It's not even about a temporary rush of emotional endorphins.

So many people think they need to be lifted to the rafters and then the clouds to know they have truly worshiped God.

It's not about what we "feel" that produces worship. Feelings do not produce worship.

Elizabeth Elliott wrote: “Worship is not an experience. Worship is an act, and this takes discipline. We are to worship ''in spirit and in truth.'' Never mind about the feelings. We are to worship in spite of them.”

Sometimes when I am at my very lowest, God speaks with a simple phrase, "I am with you."  He touches the core of my being. He cuts into the depth of my pain and reminds me of when He gave His Son for me, and I am grateful for His presence, His promises. Spirit to Spirit and truth to Truth... that's worship. Not some manufactured feeling geared towards an emotional feast. If worship was about feeling good and mountain-top happiness, then we'd all be satisfied with back-rubs, ski-trips and birthday celebrations as worship. And when you think about it, aren't those things all about us and nothing about God to Whom our worship should be directed?

Our Creator deserves more from us than expectations of His constant pleasure pampering.  Even the dullest sermon can produce a nugget of gold to enrich our lives for an entire week. But the greatest worship is when we are grateful for that nugget and give honor and glory and praise to our Lord for all He is.  Whether we "feel" Him or not, we "know" Him and we trust Him.  And obey Him.  Our obedience is worship.  Each time we say "yes" to a directive: be kind to someone who is not kind to us, show mercy to someone who has no mercy, love another who is resentful toward us, we are worshiping God.  And no... I am not talking about being a doormat to the abuse of people who are mean to us.

I am talking about being Jesus to those who treat us with hatred and disdain.  I am talking about being generous because God wants us to be generous.  Not because we seek anything from another person. Our righteousness is His, not ours. When we think of ourselves less, it doesn't mean we are less, it means we love God more than ourselves.  And we want to exhibit that love so others might see Jesus in us.  

Yes, Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well:

"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24

"True worshipers".

They worship the Father. They do not gauge worship by how they feel or what they experience as a result of worship, prayer and praise. Despite common arguments among pew-people today, the choice of music is not the criteria for worship.  His will is our will. His pleasure is our pleasure.  His joy is our joy.  His truth is our truth. That is worship.

The ultimate worship event was at Calvary, when Jesus, in complete obedience to the Father, gave His all-- (his comfort, his desires, his pleasures, his opinions, his carnality)-- to provide a way for us to know Him forever. Sacrifice. Surrender. Worship.

Life Is Not a Picnic

Life is not a picnic without ants.

LIFE IS A BUFFET... it's set out before you every day, some stuff is too spicy, too bland, too hot, too cold... but it is YOU who gets to pick and choose what you want to swallow.  If what you pick is not palatable after you get it on your plate, then by all means, leave it there to be dumped later.  After you eat your veggies and a bit of protein, be kind to yourself... eat a little dessert!!!

The way we react to life's situations either defeats us or empowers us for victory.  We don't get happy by dwelling on that which makes us unhappy.  We seize the moments of joy in life and hold onto the goodness of life.

A few weeks ago I wrote in my newspaper column about some rude teens I encountered at a park. If I chose to dwell on that and use it to color my entire view of teenagers, I might not have seen the goodness of others throughout my day and week-- the ones who went out of their way to open the door for me.

Just yesterday a friend saw a very disquieting situation taking place in my life.  She reached over the table where we sat chatting among other friends, and placed her hand over mine.  She closed her eyes and I know she was interceding for me with the Father above.  It meant the world to me.

Tranquility, peace, comfort, joy, love, kindness, generosity, patience, tolerance... dwell on these things today. Look for examples of them in others-- either to yourself or to others-- then dwell on those instead of the guy who cuts you off in the parking lot, the rude person at the grocery, or the people who annoy you  no matter how much you try to care for them.  People are going to be rude, ungrateful and spiteful to you.  It's life.

Turn life around. For every annoyance you encounter, do something kind that counters it.

Bless and be blessed. 

 

 

The Hardest Thing

There are lots of hard things in life.  I've endured many.

But, I think the hardest thing in life is to care about someone and though you try to show your caring and love, they never grasp the depth of your love.  They cannot be happy when you are happy and they cannot even pretend that they are.  It's hard to care for someone and live a lifetime knowing they care far less about you or your happiness.  It's the hardest thing.

Harder than death.

And I cannot fathom how hard it must have been for our Lord to sacrifice his life for we sinners.  How deep His love must be for us.  Every day people knowingly turn their backs on Him, knowingly reject His love, His will, His desire to bring them to completeness. 

No wonder Jesus wept when he stood and looked at Jerusalem as he made his way to his own Crucifixion.  Others may not love us but Jesus does.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12

NOTICE... it is not love as others love us-- but as Jesus loved us. We are bound by our love for Christ... and He will fill the gaps that others leave open by their lack of concern or interest in us. Keep loving, dear friends.  Just as Jesus loved us.

Waiting Is Not Easy

There are times that waiting can be difficult.  And times when waiting makes little difference to us. 

I road along with my granddaughter this week while she ran some errands.  She had to get in and out, in and out of the car.  It was my intent to wait in the car with her four-year-old so she wouldn't have to drag her in and out of her car seat (and we all know how much a 4-year old wants to tag along with mom and stand in lines while mom exchanges a sack of socks or orders furniture, huh?).

Waiting for mom wasn't hard when a toddler has a stash of movies to watch in the car.  But stick her in the middle of a shopping cart while you wait in line to exchange a purchase, or pay a bill, and that's another story.  As Jocelyn watched her movies, I circled words in a Word-Search book.  Time passed with ease. 

Then there are those times when things we must wait for days, and weeks and months.  That's how it is when you renovate a house.  Seems like nothing is done fast enough.  Impatience is not a virtue of the Holy Spirit.  Ask me.  I know.  So for me... waiting has become a testing time.  A learning time.  A time of surrender.  Over and over again.  Some days I pass the test.  Some days I fail. 

As I renovate a newly purchased house, I think about all the changes that we're making so it will serve our needs better, so it will better care for my 89 year-old mother-in-law who is coming to live with us.  I think about the tiny details needed for completion-- to make it a fun for my grandchildren, an inviting place for my friends and other family members.  I want it just right.  Yet, unlike God, all too often, I lose patience.  I get weary when things don't meet my expectations and mental timetable.

My impatience makes me consider how patient the Lord must be with me as He "renovates" my life, making the necessary changes in me so I will be better able to serve Him and reach others in His name. He doesn't have to wonder how long it will take because He is omniscient.  He knows everything.  He knows how long it will be before I let go of my timetable and rest in His.  And He's patient and steadfast and merciful as I let go of the old and change for the better.  Waiting.  Wonder if God has a Word-Search book and videos to watch.

Vaccines, Measles & Warnings (my COMMON MATTERS column)

Seems like the conversations about measles keeps missing one point.  America had all but eradicated measles, so where is this contagious disease coming from?  Dr. Vliet warned us this was going to happen.  Yet, who wants to heed warnings about measles entering our country via diseased people, anymore than they want to heed warnings about sin being promoted by the world and condoned by the church...

for more about Vaccines, Measles & Warnings... take a trip over to my Common Matters blog HERE. 

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Vaccines, Measles and Warnings

When People Disappoint You

life can be aggravating.

But if we dwell on that disappointment, the aggravation can turn to bitterness or anger.  If we're not careful, soon we'll find ourselves battling more than disappointment from others.  We battle our own spirit.  The Spirit of God who lives within us is not happy and cannot commune with a spirit of ire and anger. It's no wonder a grumpy Christian becomes useless. What once was fruitful, withers.

"for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." James 1:20

When we cram anger into our hearts, the righteousness of God fails to surface.  No matter how hard we try, our flesh cannot breed a generous, loving, righteous attitude. Our mind has to be refreshed.  Our anger must be dealt with.  Then and only then can we produce outwardly what lives within our souls.  selahVtoday

My Common Matters Column: I'm Not Complaining, but...

Things have been a bit wearing these days.  I had a bout with the flu, acute bronchitis (though I found nothing "cute" about it), and am going through a battery of tests to determine the reason for my muscle weakness.  Thus, I've missed a couple of weeks of writing for Common Matters.  And I suppose, that's a "common matter" for folks like me. I told my husband I feel like a woose.  So many people in far worse shape than I are plugging along and managing quite well in the midst of their obstacles and challenges.  Then there is me.

Ever had an EMG?  I hadn't.  It's a test where they stick a bunch of patches on your legs and feet (and then on the arms and hands) and power up a machine that shocks you silly.  And as if that isn't enough to drive you batty, the neurologist comes in and sticks needles in your legs and feet and makes you flex your muscles till you feel those needles and it makes enough noise on their machine to give him some information about the nerves that makes you feel like you've lost all nerves and courage.  I had the test on the legs yesterday and will have the test on my hands and arms today.  I dreaded every second of the one yesterday and had a bunch of folks praying I'd make it through without crying foul and well, just plain crying.  God answers the craziest prayers of His people.

Here I was feeling all kinds of wimpy and God gave the go-ahead for me to feel His strength and peace amid the punctures and pain.  The technician was funny and kept me laughing as hubby held my hand.  The neurologist was equally funny and talked about sports and other mundane matters to try and keep my mind off the torture techniques they were administering to get the information needed to help me deal with my health issues.  I kept thinking that what I was going through was nothing in comparison to what the Lord went through to save my sinful soul.  Why in the world would He do that?  I wondered.  Such love, don't you think?

After the test, I felt a few aftershocks to the tenderized nerves.  And long about suppertime, it felt like I was having a toothache in my ankles.  I took more Ibuprophen and icing my ankle worked magic and I made it through most of the night.  Today I decided I better do my best to fulfill my obligation to Venius and get this article out before the doctor and technician started poking my arms and hands and wrists.  I can't even imagine what the after-effects will be.  Don't think I'll feel much like typing, tweeting and face-booking.  I may not even feel like chopping veggies or peeling apples.  We'll see.  Pain affects everyone differently.

I read where many people would "never ever again" have the tests I'm having.  I read that before I had my first test and I mean to tell you, it had me questioning whether or not to go through with the procedure.  In the end, I prayed about it and by sheer coincidence (if you don't believe in God's providence), I turned on my computer in the wee hours of the morning because I couldn't sleep and a crafty blogger I follow had sent her latest post to my email box.  Her latest blogpost was not about remaking old chairs into benches or how to make tables out of wooden pallets.  It was a lovely photo of some trees laced with snow.  And on the photo was a verse from Isaiah 41:10.  "For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you."

So, just so you know, I'm not complaining.  I'm sharing all the wimpy weakness of this human woose.  And I am so grateful God uses a person I've never met (one who normally writes about Do-It-Yourself projects), to post a photo with a promise from Him that spoke directly to me about my fears and anxiety.  Maybe that verse will help you, too.  God's pretty faithful in helping folks who trust Him-- and even some who don't.  So, now...off to the neurologist for another morning of marvelous mayhem.  ~~Copied from Common Matters

Feeling Overwhelmed?

When we face multiple difficulties and situations that are far beyond our control, we can sometimes feel overwhelmed.  Most of the time I'm able to take one thing at a time, one situation, one obstacle.  Today is not one of those times.

Physical pain affects the ability to cope and reason as we normally would. 

That's me.  Between all the diagnosed pain and the undiagnosed pain, I'm feeling a lot like I imagine an oil-soaked seagull might feel after an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  Weighted.  Very weighted.

I know that "those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and shall mount up on wings as eagles."  I know this.  I've experienced the Lord's strengthening on many occasions when I've waited patiently on Him to act. 

Today I seem to lack the energy to even wait.  You'd think a person would need no energy to wait...to simply wait.  But there is this inner anxiety that eats away the peace within a person's spirit who, not only faces problems, but also sees the tsunami wave of other problems on the horizon of life. 

It's in these moments we must "call upon the Lord" and let him "show us great and mighty things which we know not."  For He promises to be with us.  He beckons for us to come to Him and let Him carry the burden of our souls.  I have no other choice.  I'm simply too exhausted to try to do anything myself.  My mind is spent.  My ingenuity, creativity and intellect elude me. Circumstances are overwhelming today.

Pray for me.  I need to wait.  But I need to wait in peace and calm.  Breathing deeply and moving slowly... that's life today with selahV

 

 

 

Can You Be Destroyed By Things You Love?

When I first heard the clip from the lastest Hunger Games movie where Plutarch says to Alma Coin, "It's the things we love most that destroy us...," I thought, how lame... we love our husbands, wives, grandkids... God... and they destroy us???

According to the character, Plutarch Heavensbee, yes, they can.  I am not sure what Plutarch was eluding to with Alma.  The clip was short.  However, as I rethought that scene in the trailer, it hit me...it didn't matter. 

The love of "things" can destroy us.  We can be so consumed by things-- gaining them, holding onto them, protecting them, hoarding them, keeping them all to ourselves-- that yeah, we can be destroyed by our obsession. 

However... obsession is not love.

Obsession is selfish and love is not.  Obsession is self-centered and love is selfless, generous and thoughtful.  Obsession is envious and rude and manipulative, love is not jealous, it's courteous, and considerate.  Obsession is impatient, demanding and love is patient and yielding.  Obsession hoards and becomes stagnant; love multiplies and flows freely.  Obsession smothers; love releases itself to love even more. Love frees the soul, the mind, the heart.  Love brings peace because love is forgiving. Love is the motivating factor for why God sent His only begotten Son so that whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life. "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16, NKJV 

What could be better than having God abide in us? Eternally?

I'm praying that the new year will find me loving a lot this year.  And I pray that things do not consume my thoughts and energy in such a way that I forget what is most important in life.  To love and love abundantly.

 

 

When Trouble Surrounds You

It's hard to understand all the troubles we encounter each day.  From losing a job to watching a loved one fall prey to alcohol or drugs.  From horrible health reports to devastating financial trials.

But God tells us we don't have to understand.  He tells us not to even try to understand it all... but to simply trust Him.  He is sovereign.  He is in control.  He is watching us and He does not sleep or slumber. 

Makes this little quote I found on Pinterest all the more meaningful, don't you think?

It's true.  Life may look bleak and things may just be coming together in great ways we are totally unaware of...but, it's hard to remember when everything seems like it is falling apart. Still, think about it...

when Jesus was crucified, it looked like life was over. Then three days later He had overcome the grave and the world.

So when trouble surrounds you, remember Who's holding you in the palm of His hand. Remember that no matter how much you love someone else and care about their troubles and difficulties, God loves them more.  And God knows exactly what He is doing to make "all things work together for His glory".  Trust Him. He's still on His throne. He's got this thing!

When We Question Our Lives

...and the place in which we find ourselves, it's good to recall this verse and rest in the power and strength of it:

"For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

It's hard to imagine when the weight of the world seems to be upon your shoulders.  When the plans you have made for your life seem to be crumbling beneath your feet. When the meager savings you've put aside is dwindling with the rise of goods and necessities. When your health is deteriorating moment by moment. When the government you've trusted is no longer trustworthy. It's hard to grasp that hope is ours.  But reading this promise in Jeremiah, brings forth sweet peace in the schemes of life.

God cares about us.  He knows that the world is beating us down.  He knows that the powers of darkness beyond the realms of our eyesight are at work in our lives.  He knows.  But He has other plans.  He has plans which we are unaware of.  And while the whole world seems to be blowing up in our faces for one thing or another, God is still able, God is still working out things for His glory.  He has no intention of harming us.  Whatever comes our way is in His hands.  We can trust Him, though we cannot trust government, judicial bodies and laws of the land.  We can trust God.

Though friends, or family, or strangers may fail us, we can trust God-- in every way, in every thing, in every day. ~selahV

Warning for Nagging Wives OR Husbands Who Feign Deafness: Silence Is Not Always the Best Policy

Whoever said "silence is golden"?  Silence is not golden. It's more like rust slowly eating away at a person's mind and soul.  Conversation, communication, discussion-- those are golden. Silence can, very often, be a roadblock. 

I googled the phrase "silence is golden" and discovered it dated back to a "16th century proverb, now defunct: "Silence is a woman's best garment."

I'm guessing someone during the Renaissance Period was doing their own take on the Biblical Proverbs 25:24 "Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife."

Yes, that's in the Bible, and as chauvenistically prejudicial as it may sound, I agree with it. To live with someone who nag, nag, nags you day in and day out, would cause a Floridian saint to seek retreat on the top of Mount Everest in the middle of Winter. 

However, I do I understand why some otherwise genteel women turn into nagging hags and can't let go of an issue.  When they've asked once and a request goes unanswered-- a woman can get a bit annoyed.  After the second and third request is ignored, or a promise is never kept, she can get downright testy.  After 4 bites at the apple, she may even get bullish or become a fire-breathing dragon-lady.  Yep, I can see how this proverb works both ways.  Some folks see it as cautionary advice to the wife to not be a nagging hag so her husband doesn't want to retreat to the rooftop to get some peace.  Still, others might see it as cautionary warning to a husband to honor his wife by fulfilling a request, or meeting her need BEFORE she gets to the point of nagging.  Either way, someone is going to be one unhappy camper.

Silence may be the "woman's best garment", but if the hubby wants her to wear that garment of silence and live in peace, it behooves him to help make it happen and maybe stop procrastinating. 

But, hey... that's just me talking.  That's just me spouting off.  I know a few women who've simply taken matters into their own hands and did the job themselves (I've moved some pretty heavy furniture in my day), or mangled the job (oh, that time I tried to paint the ceiling), or spent a fortune getting someone else to do the job for them (when I had to retile that kitchen and covered it in sticky goo).  I didn't have to say a word, but in the end, hubby paid for it.

One area where silence is golden is when it is accompanied by, or alludes to, a promise from God. When I'm in a quandary and face a dilemna, and I think I need to keep my mouth shut about a given situation, I rely rather heavily on "Wait upon the Lord", "Trust in the Lord, Lean not to my own understanding", be patient, and let God move the mountains for me.  I can't tell you how many times in my 66 years I've had to let go and let God deal with my heartache, angst, obstacle, or calamity.  In those times, I've come to rest in Psalms 138:8--"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me".  And when I'm tempted to nag, needle, or perpetuate and defend my position, I rest in Exodus 14:14--- "The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

That, my friends, ain't easy.  When you are an opinionated, rather decisive and cut-to-the-chase, getter-done kind of person like myself, it's nearly impossible.  I've got a scarred tongue to prove how many times I've had to bite it.

So while silence in many situations is more than beneficial, in other situations it can be stifling and harmful.  Silence can suppress ideas, eliminate solutions, and destroy relationships.  It can limit possibilities, prolong agonies, and build walls that are impenetrable.  Oh for greater wisdom and distinct discernment.  Oh, for a tongue that works on auto-pilot, one that knows when to cruise and when to let 'er fly.

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PLEASE PRAY for Dr. Harold Hunter, President of Trinity Theological Seminary

Dr. Hunter suffers from an extreme form of Von Willebrand's Disease-- a life-long life-threatening blood disorder.  It prohibits clotting and any fall that causes a cut is potentially fatal.  In his case, he could bleed-out in 7 minutes if not treated immediately. 

Dr. Hunter fell back in December of last year and struck his head requiring 9 stitches for the gash above his eye.  It also caused a concussion which led to a series of complications including dizzyness, imbalance, and concentration difficulties.  Though he struggles daily with the residual effects of the concussion, he has remained as faithful as possible to the seminary and the Lord.  He even preached a few sermons.  However...

A few weeks ago, he fell again.

This time the fall was far more serious. He spent time in ICU recovering from an extensive bleed and was stabilized, but still, on July 30th was in danger of subdural brain bleed for five days.

He cheated death again. 

However, the hardest part for him, emotionally, was two days after his bleeding crisis, the only specialist in the world who can deal with his blood disease was killed in a car crash by a drunk and drug-addicted 20-year-old.  This is very discouraging.  He's had the same doctor for 31 years-- a doctor who knew everything about him and his disease.

Dr. Hunter has been told by his personal physician that he had a severe concussion from that fall in December. As a result, he has some minor neurological damage that should clear up in another 3-6 months, but it could become a very serious situation in terms of further damage.

The uncontrollable bleeding his specialist treated, leaves Dr. Hunter in a very stress-filled situation, especially if he has another fall. So, for the next few months it is vital that he does not over extend himself. He must rest as much as possible, and needs to minimize stressful situations as much as possible. Of course, the passing of his specialist who had cared for him for three decades only adds to this stress.

Anyone who knows Dr. Hunter knows that he has a penchant for overextending himself, and has difficulty resting when there is a job to do. As president of the seminary, there's always a job to do. And since that December concussion, he's miraculously preached sermons and led souls to Christ while endangering his own health. 

But this time, the fall he had was so severe and the bleeding so bad that he really must heed doctor's instructions.

When a man loves the Lord and seeks to honor him with every breath, it is most difficult for that man to simply rest and breathe as the best way to honor God.  When that man is the President of a seminary with a mission he believes carries the Gospel message so deeply needed in these troubled times, and with students he loves and believes in, the difficulty to sit back is doubly hard. 

Would you join me in praying for healing for Dr. Hunter.  The dizzyness, concentration and balance is still problematic. But for this blessed man of God, the hardest part is resting and doing what he doesn't do well-- guarding his stress levels when stress keeps knocking at his door.

Lord, protect this one who loves You.  Bring him peace about losing this physician who faithfully cared for him all these years.  Let him know the comfort of Your grace and give him rest, pure rest in You that his burdens may be light with You carrying the weight upon your shoulders.  Give him clarity when he needs to make decisions for Trinity and the students.  Give him wisdom with situations requiring his discernment.  Pour out your goodness, mercy and strength. And bless all those around him, especially his dear wife, Marilyn. Amen.

[Dr. Hunter is President of Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana]  Check out one of Dr. Hunter's sermon's below: "Poignant Words from Dr. Harold Hunter".

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Beyond Comprehension: Persecution of Christians

I know Jesus told us it would happen.  But when I see the photos of a little 5 year-old girl in a sweet little ruffled dress, being held up without a head because ISIS barbarians severed it from her little body... well, it's more than my brain can grasp.  When I see a photo of a 7-year-old boy dangling from a noose with his pants pulled down, my brain explodes with horror.  My heart screams for God's intervention. When a priest gives the account of a child being cut in half by these sadistic monsters, my mind cries out in anger.

"Stop the madness."

But it continues.

It's reported that countless Iraqi women are being raped, little 7 year-old girls being married off to madmen.  Reports that ISIS buried alive over 500 women and children.  Thousands upon thousands have already been slaughtered, maimed and mutilated.  It's horrendous.  It's a nightmare.

Meanwhile, we take selfies, and watch the exhibition football games.  We swim. We eat bountiful meals. We waste water with squirt guns and water balloons as babies and women and children dehydrate on a mountaintop and die of thirst after fleeing death sentences from ISIS.

Then, in Gaza, their Hamas brethren lob over 3,400 rockets at Israel from hospitals and schools, all the while using children and Palestinians as human shields. There is no condemnation for their actions.  But Israel is lambasted by the press, the President, and protestors because Israel defends herself and tries to take out the rocket launchers.  And many Muslims in America support these people who claim to want all Jews, Christians, and non-Muslims dead.

Evil. Hatred. Atrocities. When ISIS comes here (and many say they're already here), will the U.N. condemn us for protecting our own, like they condemn us for wanting to protect our borders from invaders?

A seven-year-old boy holds up a severed head like it's a trophy and we ask "what do we do about it?"

We ban Bibles in Navy hospitality hotels. We ban prayer in malls and public places. We ban the name of God and His Son Jesus from speeches, and restrict faith conversations in every arena.  We condone more and more sin and accept it as norm. We let our own government tell us we cannot put up crosses or place nativity scenes on public spaces because it may offend a tiny percentage of people.

And we wonder why evil thrives?

Evil exists.  ISIS didn't invent it, nor did Hamas.  It began when Satan tried to elevate himself above God.  It entered this world when man chose to listen to Satan and disobey God-- to value his own desires more than the Lord's commands. It multiplied when the world followed after its own way and rejected God, forgot God, eliminated God from life.

So, I am crying on the inside...mourning the atrocities of man...the slaughter and the plight of the Iraqi Christians, as well as the perpetual war upon Israel. Evil abounds and my heart is twisted in knots. But, I read God's Word and am reminded:

"Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in Him, and He will act,

making your righteousness shine like the dawn,
your justice like the noonday.

Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him;
do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way,
by the man who carries out evil plans.

Refrain from anger and give up your rage;
do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.
For evildoers will be destroyed,
but those who put their hope in the Lord
will inherit the land." Psalm 37:5-9

Jesus is my hope and refuge. His blood was shed for my sin, and replaced it with His righteousness. I'm grateful the LORD holds these blessed persecuted Christians in His arms of love.  I'm smiling on the outside...grateful for the blessings of God, but still, I can't help crying on the inside. In life, spiritual battles rage on, but the war has been won.  For Jesus said, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world." John 16:33

May God calm the storm within the hearts of those being persecuted around the world.  May He calm the storms within our hearts as we sit so far away praying and feeling so helpless. May He draw more unto Himself. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Fill us with Your peace.

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WHAT WAS I THINKING-- A Horse Tale by hariette petersen

I was driving down Highway 7 (a four-lane highway with a grass divider), on way to town and passed a gorgeous horse outside the boundary of the farmland fence.  It was entirely toooo close to highway where traffic flowed at 70 to 76 miles per hour. 

I made a U-turn as soon as I could, turned around and drove into the drive of Triangle Farms from which I assumed the horse had escaped.  However, their gate was locked and I was gonna have my 13 year-old granddaughter scale it and go tell them about the horse.  But I couldn't do that either.  We saw a big dog which my 10 year-old granddaughter said was a pit bull. A mauling scene flashed before my eyes and I abandoned that idea. So, I sat in the car and tried to figure out how to let the people know about the horse that was inching its way closer and closer to the 4-lane highway.  Finally I decided to just drive up beside it.  That silly horse stood there looking in my side window, and seemed fairly calm.

I got out of the car, and it stared at me a second then crossed in front of my car and started for the road. I waved the oncoming traffic to stop as the horse made its way into the middle of the second lane, where it stopped and decided to relieve itself of its breakfast.  I did my imitation of a "HORSE WHISPERER" and tried to talk her into coming to me or letting me go to her.

Amazingly, she stood still. Cars began to stop in a line.  One driver asked if it was my horse, I said, "No" as I slowly approached her with my outstretched hand.  I clucked and tisked with every step till she let me get her harness.  I walked her back across the road, and prayed to God I wouldn't fall down the embankment as I led her back into the field.  With every step, I'm thinking, "Lord, please don't let this horse step on me."  She didn't and she didn't run ahead of me.  She just let me guide her down the embankment and into the field.  My momma use to say, God protects fools. I qualified.

When I let her loose she turned around and snickered at me.  I said, "nevermind your backtalk... get out there".  She turned and trotted into the field.  There was no way to close off the section of fence that was big enough to drive a car through, and I thought about parking my car across the space.  But when I walked back up the embankment to my car, another car was parked behind mine.

I was going to call the police when the lady in that car said she had already called 911 and I could go if I wanted and she'd stay there and wait for the police.  So, winded as I was, I climbed back in my car... and looked in my mirror at the wind-blown brillo pad of a hairstyle the Oklahoma winds had rearranged for me.  I laughed out loud and told my granddaughters, "I look like a mad-woman."  We drove away with great joy that no cars had been involved in a very bad accident and the horse had been spared.  It wasn't until I was headed down the road that I realized that I'd never led a horse by a halter in my entire 66 years of life.  WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I Know What I Believe, Do You? by hariette petersen

I recently posted the link to an article on Twitter with which I agreed.  It brought criticism, not for the content, but for the source of the article.  Nothing other than that for the criticism.  And truly; I understand that critic's reasoning.  There are some sources that I don't even bother reading or listening to because I know I cannot trust them.  They've proved themselves unworthy of my trust.  However, when an article comes across the net and there are other articles, and even individuals, who can confirm the truth of the article, it behooves me to heed the facts of the matter.  Even a person I disagree with, at times, can be right on the facts. 

I got into a conversation yesterday with a person who said they'd rather burn in hell than to live in heaven with Christians.  That, my friends, was a horrific picture in my mind.  Even the people I find abhorrent in my life, those who have hurt me beyond all measure of hurt, would be welcome in heaven with me.  I say this because when we are in heaven, we are at peace with all.  The Lord promises that there is no more sorrow, no more pain, no more darkness, no more hate.  So to have any individual who may "hate" me on earth end up in heaven means that the individual has changed, been transformed, by the power of the blood-- by their own repentance and acceptance of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

If there is anything I know, I know that people can be changed and transformed by their relationship with Jesus Christ.  I know this because there is no other reason for how some I know have changed.  None but Jesus.  His presence in their lives, and mine, has been the catalyst and the process by which they've gone from darkness, evil and selfishness to light, righteousness, and generosity.  I've been there.  I've walked in total and complete darkness and dallied with the evils of this world.  I've been laughed at, rejected and ridiculed for the changes I've made in my life through Jesus Christ.  And it's okay.  It's okay today that people laugh and scoff and try to provoke me to wrath.  It's perfectly okay. 

"For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." 2 Timothy 1:13

For some reason, the most hateful and vile comments can be found on the internet when a person voices an opinion about their faith, their religion, their consciences.  It's the way of the world.

The key in dealing with these vitriolic comments is to be calm and to set yourself apart from the comment and the commenter.  The slam, though admittedly directed at you, is not really meant for you if you are a believer-- its target is Jesus.  It is said to hurt you, but you are protected by the blood of Jesus-- the power of His victory, the shield of your faith in Him.  He has already won the war.  He is the victor.  Christians are just standing in faith, in the gap, waiting.  We're waiting to see the Eastern sky part-- to join our Savior.  The best part about it, is nothing can separate us from His love.  We don't have to prove anything.  We don't have to convince anyone.  We are simply to tell of His great love-- His great deliverance-- His great hope.  If that message is rejected or trashed by the vile haters of this world, it is not our problem.  The problem falls upon that person's own decision to reject the message of we the messengers. Our only responsibility is to represent the Lord as best we can-- without hate, without anger, without venom, without arrogance. 

Ours is to yield to the Holy Spirit of God and pray for his continued fruit to pour forth from us.  Lord, how I fail at that with a testy attitude and irritated spirit at times. Who'd want to join me at the Lord's table with an attitude like that?  Hmmmmn.

We can invite the unbelievers to the table of the Lord, but they have every right and free choice to reject our invitation.  For me, I'll keep inviting, until an individual tells me to go away.  And I will.  I will kick the dust from my feet and move on.  Discouragement only settles upon those who allow it.  Press on, my friends.  Press on to the prize set before you.

 

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A Warning From God by Karen Scott

"But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from His temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drink wine from them…you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways. There He sent the hand that wrote the inscription. (Daniel 5:22-24)

Belshazzar had mocked God by his actions and God was bringing judgment against him. The king threw a huge party to celebrate his accomplishments and the greatness of the Babylonian Empire. In the middle of Belshazzar’s celebration, a hand appeared and began writing on the wall, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin.”

Daniel explained the meaning to the king. “God had numbered the days of the king’s reign and it was coming to an end. They had been weighed in a balance and found wanting. The kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.”

That very night Babylon collapsed. They became one of the many nations that forgot God. Their greatness became a thing of the past.

Paul wrote, “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to the parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5)

Will America be counted among the fallen nations? Our nation has been blessed greatly by God, but we too have forgotten Him. We are losing the greatness that we once had. Our military power has weakened. Our economy has weakened. We are becoming more and more dependent on other countries for supplies, gas, oil and manufactured goods. 

Our country has become our own worst enemy. We are being destroyed from within as we watch more and more of our freedoms slowly disappear. Have we too seen “the handwriting on the wall” and like Belshazzar we believe that it will not happen to us? If that is our thinking then we are as wrong as Belshazzar. His “world” collapsed and so will ours.

Invasion of the Blister Beetles

I could hardly believe my eyes as I stood there watching. Thousands upon thousands of the creepy, crawly striped insects swarmed my front porch.  They literally poured out from under the concrete.  I couldn't step on them fast enough.  Legions upon legions replaced every step that killed twenty or more at one step.

"Daddy needs to get some bug spray."

Leave it to my 9 year-old granddaughter to state the obvious.  I went inside and grabbed the liquid Sevin.  The first shot sent hundreds scrambling.  As I sprayed them on the porch, they headed for the grass.  Within seconds hundreds, no, thousands came crawling out from under the concrete.  As fast as I sprayed the length of our 60-foot porch, more took their place.  My hand got tired of spraying. Thousands took off into the grass. I've never seen bugs move that fast.  It was one of the creepiest things I ever witnessed. I thought of Moses and the locusts and the Exodus.  

My sunflowers have no chance at survival now.  Between the bug-eyed monster grasshoppers and these vegetable craving beetles, all my flowers and my lone tomato plant are toast.  I have no illusions that tomorrow morning will reveal anything but complete destruction. 

In my case the green grass immediately turned brown (similar to the hay pictured to the left), as the pests raced across the lawn trying to evade the poisonous spray of Sevin.  For over an hour I sat on my porch bench, spraying and stamping, stamping and spraying. I couldn't possibly kill them all.  They crawled beneath the doors and I had to spray the threshold.  I took no chances because their threat to a person's skin was not a pretty sight either.

When things invade and come uninvited in droves, I'm afraid the devastation to property is beyond repair.  All my gardening efforts, all that money spent on plants, soil and pots-- gone.  Just watching them pour out of those spaces along my porch is the thing from which nightmares and horror films are born.  When I googled them, and discovered they were blister beetles, the picture of what they could do to a human wouldn't leave my mind all day.  Am hoping that writing this post will purge them from my mind, and a good night's sleep will prove to have eliminated them from my yard tomorrow.  I can always hope, can't I?

Americans Opposing Illegal Alien Invasion Are Not Subhuman

I get a bit disgusted with the fingerpointing coming from others like the one on my friend's facebook status today when she was voicing her opposition to the Obama-led and sanctioned invasion of illegals pouring into our country from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and other countries unknown.  America gives to these countries all the time. America is not oblivious to the heartache, problems and challenges these people have who are invading our country because our President has chosen to turn a blind eye to what is going on.  His own Attorney General, instead of enforcing laws to help these border states, took Arizona to court and sued them for trying to pass laws that would aid them with the illegals that are flooding their state.

But let's talk about how horrible America is to these illegals that are knowingly coming here to get a free pass around our immigration policies, policies which many many thousands have used to come to America legally and get citizenship legally.

Let's take Honduras in 2012.  Do you know how much we mean Americans sent that country via the U.S. government?  $88,415,635  Millions, folks. If you'd like to see the breakdown, go here to this site.  Amid those millions, we gave $48,166,888 for development.  Narcotics Control: $780,000 (was that used to ship their drugs to us?).  Global Health and Child Survival: $9,216,835 (yet, they can't control their diseases and send their diseased children to the U.S.). 

Yet, people who want to disparage spew their hatred for those who want to protect the country and their own families. To those people, America is the bad guys for opposing their illegal invasion into our country?  I beg to differ.  Just this week, my Sunday School department is helping to send a volunteer team to Honduras with a dental clinic ministry.  Not the first year, either. We have no idea how many other Southern Baptists and other faiths do the same kind of mission work in these countries and others around the world.

Do you know how much money Americans sends to Guatemala?  In 2012 the U.S. Government gave a total of $144,633,432 to Guatemala in 2012.  We gave $20,910,691 for Global Health and Child Survival.  And $10,058,441 for drug control.  Yet, we have thousands of their cartels charging helpless and hopeless people thousands of dollars per head to smuggle them into our country. For greater breakdown of the millions we sent, go HERE.

The U.S. Government gave a total of $59,519,297 to El Salvador in 2012.  And it is disgusting how they broke it down to help their countrymen-- see HERE.  

What about Mexico?  The U.S. Government gave a total of $217,622,920 to Mexico in 2012. See Mexico's pitiful breakdown of those millions HERE.

To top all this off, may I say a word about the Baptist Children and Family Services, now known as BCFS?  These are the Christian people who are trying to care for these children in the processing centers in Texas borders.  Christians putting their own health at risk, their own well-being in danger, to care for these children who have been exploited for political cause or gain or agenda.  As they labor for the Lord, we pray that they are protected from the reported cases of TB, Swine Flu, Scabies, Lice, Measles, Chicken Pox and other life-threatening and communicable diseases.  These children are being used by cartels, coyotes, gangs and in my opinion, this government-- to create a crisis beyond all crises that we've had in our country in years.

Our country is hurting economically, educationally, and physically.  Our local newspaper said they estimated the cost for caring for these illegal aliens was 250 dollars a day. Let that sink in. TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS A DAY.

Tell me how many people in America make 250.00 a day?  We do not have that many Hillary Clintons in our country making 200-thousand dollars a pop for a speech she gives. Few writers I know get 14-Million dollar checks for book advances for books that crater the first week it hits the book stores.  Many cities such as ours here in Lawton, and that one in Murietta, California are hanging on for dear life in this lousy economy that this president has done nothing about. 

These alien children are here because their countries are allowing it and our President is encouraging it.  Cut off the purse-strings to these Central American countries and when the funds dry up, they'll correct the problems that they have produced and thereby promoted. Then take the money we are sending all these countries and take care of these illegal aliens as best we can.

Meanwhile, I do not fault Americans who protest the invasion of illegals-- especially when so many are waiting to enter our wonderful, benevolent country the legal way.  For those who are here, let the White House set up FEMA trailers on the front lawn of the White House until they can be sent back to their countries.  But, CLOSE THE BORDERS and PROTECT AMERICANS.

UPDATE ON Murietta, California They turned them away again! 3rd time

Maybe the third time is a charm and the Obama administration will leave Murietta alone.  My friend Vicky updated us on what happened in California today:

"MURRIETA STATUS UPDATE~~Round 3 - Obama's Lawlessness. .ZERO AND Murrieta, CA.....Three Yay!! They turned them back again !!!! So many people standing up for what we believe!! We were interviewed by several news networks. Martin spoke very well n I tried to. Actually it is refreshingly emotional to speak about God and Country to networks who don't usually listen!"

Update from this story, yesterday regarding the horrendous conditions of the "shelter" they want to house these sick and diseased children: What Americans Need to Know About Murietta, California Protests and Obama Plans for Illegals >HERE http://selahvtoday.typepad.com/selahv/2014/07/what-americans-need-to-know-about-murietta-california-protests-and-obama-plans-for-illegals.html

What Americans Need to Know About Murietta California Protests And Obama Plans for Illegals

We've all seen the courageous efforts of citizens in Murietta, California as they stood in the streets and turned away busload after busload of illegals that the president sent to their town.  It's reported that the government is very angry with Murietta citizens and have called in the riot squad to force these citizens in a small California town to accept these illegal aliens (see story, here).  I wrote my friend of my concern for her welfare and she wrote this back to me:

"These protesters are NOT wild fanatics! We are all American who strongly believe that this not only wrong for our small town...but incredibly cruel and dangerous to these illegal men, women and children. The place they are taking them is NOT as they say, "public housing"! It was built as a jail for illegal. It has only steel benches and something referred to as "cages". There is one toilet with only a 3ft. privacy wall and no way to wash hands or shower. With SO many of them ill and diseased it will only intensify that issue. Obama wants to FLOOD our community with 142 immigrants every 72 hours!! And then..release them into our town."

Friends, we need to pray for these citizens in Murietta, California.  This is an undue burden on them and this president does not care.  If he has a handy dandy pen, then why doesn't he write another executive order that says he will send back all illegals to whatever country they come from?

And then why doesn't he pick up his handy dandy phone (that he's so proud of) and call the leaders of those countries who are sending thousands of their sick and diseased citizens to us by way of cartels and gangs and tell those leaders that he's putting them on Army transport planes and sending them back to their countries? 

Why can't this president protect our citizens and defend our borders?  Why is he assisting illegal foreigners to break the law and enter our country with diseases when he knows darn well they will not appear for court dates and will not return to their countries? 

We can only speculate. Is he is doing it to overload and collapse our healthcare, welfare, educational and economic systems in all these towns?  He obviously doesn't care what lawlessness he sends to towns such as Murietta or any other town-- these are undocumented aliens.  He has no idea what crimes some of them have committed.  It's time for our congress to act and defund him on every single issue until he sends these illegals back and begins to protect our borders.  Not one single dime should be allocated for their care and any money that Congress allocates should go to Texas and border states to hire more border patrol. 

As it is, these people are vulnerable to the diseases these illegals are bringing into our country that doctors and nurses and caretakers are being told they cannot talk about to public or news.  Dr. Lee Vliet speaks out about this.  TB, MRSA, Swine Flu, Measles, Chicken Pox, Scabies and Lord knows what all else is coming in with every wave of this illegal invasion. The absolute least this president could do is quarantine all these people, in tent cities if necessary, right where they come in.  NOT send them all over the country to places that are not sufficient to care for them or to protect American citizens and could potentially spread these contagious diseases to the unsuspecting public.  It's time to speak out. Politics has no place in a situation that causes us rampant chaos.

President Obama's former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel once said that "we can't let a good crisis go to waste."  Exactly how does the president plan to use this crisis to his advantage?

Israel Will Not Be Forgotten

The new ISIS terrorists who are savagely and systematically going through Iraq and slaughtering and raping their own race, vow to destroy Zionist Israel. They are beheading people, including the judge who sentenced the sadistic Saddam Hussein to death by hanging.  They have forced thousands upon thousands of Christians to flee their homes for fear of similar death.  They've allegedly demanded that all young females be brought forth to pleasure their evil warriors.  They have no regard for life...not even their own as they strap on suicide belts to blow themselves up for this cause to take over all the land in the area in anticipation of their Caliphate coming to power.

It amazes me how much other countries around the world abhor Israel and want to deny it any right to exist. It further amazes me that when the world around her has so much that they cannot stand that Israel has the little she has. YET...when you think about how ISRAEL represents the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...and is the birthplace of our Savior, Jesus the Christ, we can see that evil will always stand against a representation of GOD THE FATHER...can't we?

 

When We Are Attacked We Need Jesus Even More

There are times when we can be so overwhelmed by what others think of us, we lose sight of what God thinks of us.  When our spirit is crushed by the actions of others, the betrayals, the misunderstandings, the irreconcilable differences, we fall prey to a kind of inward journey of heartache.  That is not what our Father in Heaven wants for us.  He wants us to be ever focused upon Himself.  He's given us His Spirit to encourage and strengthen and comfort us.  We are never alone.

When discord enters our lives through friend or foe, family or stranger, we can be assured that they are in our lives for a divine reason.

"The one thing for which we are all being disciplined is to know that God is real.  As soon as God becomes real, other people become mere shadows.  Nothing that other saints do or say can ever perturb the one who is built on the real God.  'In all the world, my God, there is none but Thee, there is none but Thee.'"  Oswald Chambers, So I Send You, 1930

Would that we remember that we are more than conquerors through Him Who has ascertained our victory with life.  Would that we rest in His never-changing, all-sufficient grace.  Would that we look beyond ourselves and into our Savior's face.

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Sin in the Camp (Devotional by Karen Scott)

“Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you. “In the morning you must present yourselves by tribes, and the Lord will point out the tribe to which the guilty man belongs. That tribe must come forward with its clans, and the Lord will point out the guilty clan. That clan will then come forward, and the Lord will point out the guilty family. Finally, each member of the guilty family must come forward one by one. The one who has stolen what was set apart for destruction will himself be burned with fire, along with everything he has, for he has broken the covenant of the Lord and has done a horrible thing in Israel.” Joshua 7:13-15

Joshua 7 is a victorious story of the blessings that occur when people are following God. It also tells of the ultimate defeat of a whole army because one man chooses to disobey. Israel had just experienced a great victory over the city of Jericho. They miraculously defeated Jericho when its great walls tumbled down and lay in ruins by the mighty power of God.

Joshua then sent men to Ai, which in comparison would be an easy victory for Israel. But victory did not occur there. In fact, Israel’s soldiers ran for their lives and men were killed as they were running away. Joshua’s reaction to what happened was proof that he was a great and godly leader. He displayed grief for his fallen men and Israel’s future. He was also worried about how this defeat would affect the name of God.

Joshua prayed in earnest for God to reveal why they had failed to have victory and God’s answer to him was that there was “sin in the camp.” Someone had taken items from the destruction of Jericho for their personal use and had hidden them in the camp. This “sin in the camp” obstructed God’s desire to bless the nation with another victory. God will never bless us at the expense of His holiness.

If we hold ourselves accountable for sin, no one else needs to. Do whatever it takes to get out of the situation that is compromising your walk with the Lord. When we realize that we have sin in our camp, we need to deal with it swiftly so that it does not continue to drag us down and become more destructive. ~by Karen Scott

Will God Hear a Vindictive Man's Prayers?

I sincerely question the possibility.

A vindictive man is a man living in sin.  He sees the people he opposes as less than himself.  He sees himself as the better man, the more noble, the more righteous.  Kinda like the Pharisee who prayed, "Thank God I'm not like that publican".  That publican-- tax collector who'd cheated people and lied-- and was also wailing about his own sin and unrighteousness and unworthiness before a holy God and the people of God.  Not even vindictive-- just piously holier than thou-- yet Jesus used it as an example.

For anyone else to examine another person's expressions and tears and faltering voice when he speaks in honest humility before a congregation of his peers, and then to make sport of it and seemingly compare it as less than someone elses hurt or sadness, is a person who relinquishes any claims he has to any humility, any compassion, or any purity of his own.  You see, we can't pick and choose who we have compassion for in God's kingdom.  We are to have compassion for all.  And when we pick one brother or sister over another and say they hurt more, then we appoint ourselves judge, jury and Holy Spirit over man.

Scripture points out not to boast when a brother falls or stumbles and fails in his own life.  Not to rejoice in his humiliation. When one man gloats and points fingers towards another, it exposes the sin in his own life... his own unrighteousness, his own flaws as a Christian.  It speaks ill of the body of Christ.  Why?

Well, because God is merciful.  God wants us to exhibit HIS characteristics, not the characteristics of the father of all lies and deceit.  Satan is the accuser of the brethren.  Satan points fingers and laughs and tries to tear down rather than build up.  Satan dredges up and emphasizes pimples and pus.  He is the one we honor when we do likewise.  When we seek to gain the praise of man by our opinions and sanctimonious gloating, we fail our Lord who bowed down and was obedient unto death.

The prayers of a righteous man availeth much.  But he who regards any leaven or iniquity in his heart has no access to the Father in heaven.  God turns himself away from we who hold animosity for others.  Jesus himself told us if we come to the altar and have anything against another to leave our gift at the altar and go and make amends.  When a person clings to that animosity, bitterness, angst or ire then his gifts are not worthy and are unacceptable before the Father in Heaven.  His prayers are no more welcome than his gifts tainted with unforgiveness. Forgive us as we forgive others. 

Longheld ire towards those we oppose only taints the blessings God wishes to pour forth upon us and those we walk among.  What good could come from one who humbles himself before God and man and confesses his sin against another brother?  What good could be produced if one would lay down his personal vendettas?  I wonder.  Do you?