WALK AWAY OR FOLLOW?

So many people are concerned about the direction the USA and the world are taking, but haven’t we seen this before?  Hasn’t every generation thought the next would destroy the world?  Why does this time feel different?  Up until now, things changed, but the foundations upon which this country was founded stayed the same.  Our country had a solid foundation built on freedom, faith, family, and hard work.  Now we are seeing that foundation eroding and that frightens us.  We feel helpless to stop it.  We wonder what has happened. 

“Our faith is not interested in saving your soul.  We’re here to help you unfold the awesome soul you already have.” Andrea Lerner. 

https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/beliefs/christianity/views-jesus

Those in the pulpit no longer believe.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/preachers-who-don-t-believe-the-scandal-of-apostate-pastors.html

A drag queen, Ms. Penny Cost, has been approved as a candidate for the ministry. 

https://religionnews.com/2021/04/15/first-drag-queen-certified-as-a-candidate-for-united-methodist-ministry-speaking-in-a-new-way-to-new-people/

You can go online and become an ordained minister. 

https://unministry.org/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwiNSLBhCPARIsAKNS4_eSmv2I2nktZFh766NIGt1WzdTBNBLvOJ-Tt6DtGu44PrVZVu5J2vsaAnQ1EALw_wcB

Bystanders watched a rape and did nothing.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/woman-raped-train-philadelphia-fishton-ngoy/

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Our country had a solid foundation built on freedom, faith, family, and hard work.  Now we are seeing that foundation eroding and that frightens us.  We feel helpless to stop it.  We wonder what has happened. 

Pastor Larry spoke on John 6:60-71 and I think those passages answer the question.  He explained that the people watched as Jesus performed miracles and healings.  They loved being part of the feeding of the 5,000.  They were reassured when Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life.” 

They were confused when Jesus continued, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”  (John 6:53-54)

They followed Jesus, but when they became confused things changed. 

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.  (John 6:66) 

As I typed the chapter and verse I realized this verse answers every problem the world is having. 

We have turned back and no longer follow Him!

PS – I did NOT pick the chapter and verse because of the number.  The number was coincidental – or was it?

 

HODGE PODGE

I have not written a hodge podge blog for a bit, so here goes.   

Bill is my proof reader.  He finds my spelling errors, but sometimes they are a lesson more than an error.  He pointed out that I had written haven instead of heaven.

I looked up haven:

• Harbor, port
• A place of safety, refuge
• A place offering favorable opportunities or conditions A safe and peaceful place
• Sanctuary

Don’t know about you, but haven sounds an awful lot like heaven.   

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A TV minister made the statement, “God doesn’t have grandchildren.  He only has children.”

I thought about that.  Why not grandchildren?  Oh… I can believe.  I can have a very strong belief.  I am a child of God, but my faith does not insure my children or grandchildren will have eternal life.  I pray they will hear the scriptures and believe.

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I have a coloring app on my iPad and enjoy it because it is not a color by number.  I pick the colors.  

I had an art teacher criticize me because I made the leaves on a tree purple.  She informed me, “Trees do not have purple leaves.”  I told her, “Mine do.”  

Warning:  Disagreeing with an art teacher has a direct impact on the grade placed on the report card.

There are numerous pictures of animals and that causes me a problem.  Every so often, a snake picture will appear.  I HATE SNAKES!  Every time I saw one of those pictures, I cringed.  Then I had a brain storm.  I would completely cover them with black.  And I did.

This caused another problem.  When I see that black square, I know there is a snake under it.  It is still there.  Covering up those snakes is like trying to hide a sin from God.  Hide the sin in a closet.  God knows it is there.  Hide the sin under a whole lot of doing good.  God knows it is there.  Leave sin at home when going to church.  God knows it is there.  Guess I cannot hide those snakes and I cannot hide my sins from God.

Sure wish Noah had left those snakes behind!

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It is a full moon.  Question: Isn’t it always a full moon?  Just because we cannot see the entire moon, doesn’t mean all the moon isn’t there.  This leads to the fact that we cannot see the love of God, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  The moon- all of it - is always there.  God’s love - all of it - is always there.

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How do we reply when God wants us to do something?  YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT? 

Words we use to argue with God:

• Nevertheless … a sure sign we are going to argue with God
• If … the beginning of a negotiation (And we really think we can negotiate with God.)
• But … Going to disagree
• Cannot … an excuse is on the way
• Except for … not totally against God’s request if He would remove that one little section
• When ... God is about to hear that now is not a good time

The amazing thing is that we honestly believe we will win an argument with God.  Moses tried everything to get out of doing as God asked.  “I have never been eloquent,” he said.  Now I might have zapped him, but a very patient God replied, “Aaron will serve as a mouth for you, and you will serve as God to him.” 

Thinking about Moses, did all of the Israelites go with Moses or did some stay behind?  It says a mixed crowd also went up with them.  Does this mean some non-Israelites skipped town with them?

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One final thought and this is for all of you who voice text.  A friend called and was laughing at herself.  She had sent a voice text.  You know:  Hi comma I am just checking on you period  I will pray for you period

Then she began a prayer:  Dear God comma

HAVE A GREAT comma SUPER comma FANTASTIC WEEK exclamation mark

 

 SIGNS

Everywhere I look there are signs.  Stop signs.  Go signs.  For sale signs.  Opening soon.  We are hiring.  Closed.  There are signs telling me to yield, to wait here, and do not enter.  I see signs for detours, where to turn, where to sit, and where to wait.  I see speed limit signs, which I consider suggestions and not to be taken literally.

SIGNS!!!  EVERYWHERE I LOOK THERE ARE SIGNS!!!!

I see someone look me in the eyes, smile, and nod there head.  A sign that I am not invisible.

I see a parent kneel and softly speak to their child.  A sign of love.

I hear the truth spoken from the pulpit.  A sign that God’s Word has never changed.

I hear laughter.  A sign that joy is alive.

I feel the autumn breeze.  A sign that one season is ending and another is beginning.

I feel the warmth of covers.  A sign I am blessed with the luxury of a safe place to sleep.

I taste the crisp apple.  A sign of a successful harvest.

I taste the pizza.  A sign of the availability of food.

I smell the aroma of a fresh pot of coffee.  A sign that my day will begin – after the coffee.

I smell the cleanliness of a new born.  A sign of hope for man’s future.

SIGNS!!!  EVERYWHERE WE LOOK THERE ARE SIGNS!!!!

Yes, there are signs everywhere.  The secret is seeing them. 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let there be light .. darkness and day  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters … called the expanse “sky”  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place … called “land”  --  Signs!

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation … plants, trees  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let there be lights … stars, moon and sun  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures and let birds fly  --  Signs!

And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures  --  Signs!

And God created man in his own image  --  Signs!

SIGNS!!!  EVERYWHERE WE LOOK THERE ARE SIGNS!!!!

Yes, there are signs everywhere.  The secret is seeing them.

What about you?  Do you see them?

FAT BEAR WEEK

I had never heard of Fat Bear Week. Please highlight and open the following link.  It is fun to see the bears and to read about Fat Bear Week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_kBdhuCVIE

If the link does not work, go to Explore.org and hit the link to Get To Know Your Fat Bear Contenders.  If neither way works, google Fat Bear Week and look for Explore.org

Have you watched the video?  Here is what I would like to propose.  I think we should have a FAT SPIRIT WEEK!  I think we should all become contenders as we prepare for winter (aka life).

FAT SPIRIT WEEK

Breakfast Recipes To Fatten Up Your Spirit

SUNDAY:  As you eat your breakfast, drink a cup of LOVE.  This love will energize your Spirit and give you the ability to love others as Christ loves you.

MONDAY:  To begin your week on a high note, take two slices of JOY and spread a cup of PEACE between them.  Your Spirit will shout with joy and bless all you meet.  That cup of peace will give your Spirit the ability to be calm in a world of chaos.

TUESDAY:  This morning you are to swallow a pill that will change your Spiritual life.  This pill is filled with PATIENCE and will allow your Spirit to wait.  Waiting allows your Spirit to be ready and available.

WEDNESDAY:  As strange as this sounds, this morning you are to eat a salad for breakfast.  By the middle of the week, our resolve can waiver and something with no purpose can seem inviting.  You do not want to fall behind and have a skinny Spirit so here is how you will prepare a salad to fatten your Spirit.  Using a very large bowl, start with a generous helping of love.  Yes, I know.  Love was Sunday, but we do not want to limit any of our Spiritual qualities to only one day … do we?  Now add joy, peace, and patience to the love.  Pour a dressing of GENTLENESS over the salad.  Enjoy and fatten your Spirit with each bite.  How much larger your Spirit is now that it has gentleness.

THURSDAY:  You are doing great.  I can see your Spirit is getting a bit chubby, but there is something you need to add or your Spirit will not continue to fatten up.  Again, a simple pill.  This pill will fill your Spirit with SELF-CONTROL.  This gives your Spirit the strength it needs to control YOU.  There are times when you will want to rebel.  Without your Spirit having this super power, you might be like Darth Vader.  You could find yourself moving to the Dark Side.  Take this pill quickly!

FRIDAY:  You are almost to the end of Fat Spirit Week and I can see a difference.  You are standing taller.  You also need to go shopping.  Your Spirit is a size or two larger.  This morning you are not to eat anything special.  Whatever you would like.  Pancakes.  Omelet.  Just have a cup of coffee.  But … do you see that really delicious muffin sitting there?  It is not for you.  You are to give the muffin away.  Your Spirit must have the wonderful qualities of KINDNESS and GOODNESS.  Giving away the muffin will allow your Spirit to teach you the wonder of helping others.

SATURDAY:  Can you make it through the final day?  Only one more breakfast to complete.  This breakfast could be the one that pushes your Spirit to the point of filling every teeny, tiny cell your body has.  Ready?  This morning you are to find a really big plate.  Check all your cabinets to make sure it is the largest!  Grab a fork.  Dig in and fill your Spirit with FAITHFULNESS!  This will cause your Spirit to guide you so you are steadfast and stay true to promises you make.  Your Spirit will allow you to see the truth and give you the power to be in communion and good standing with other believers.  And God will see that you are faithful to Him.

Your Fat Spirit Week is now over.  Hopefully, you have enjoyed my mind going in a – a unique way.  My prayer is that your Spirit has grown.

But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness

and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

USE THE “Y”

You have to realize my hubby grew up an only child.  And his parents were older.  He was driving a tractor and truck, for a neighbor, by age 9.  (Back then people did not wrap children in bubble wrap.  They allowed them to experience all sorts of things that are frowned upon today.)  He did chores.  He went to school.  Yes, he played, but he did not grow up playing games. 

Coming from a family of four kids, I cannot imagine not playing games.  We played Uncle Wiggily and BINGO and Monopoly and Parcheesi and Chinese Checkers.  We played Old Maid and Crazy Eight and Go Fish.  My favorite game is Sorry.  We played Croquet.  Yes, we played games!!! 

Here is the kicker though – I love to play games … but I really do not care if I win.  It is the game that is fun.  Winning is a bonus.

Back to hubby.  Over the years, I have tried to get him to play games.  The answer was, “No.”  The kids tried to get him to play games.  The answer was, “No.”  The grandkids tried to get him to play games.  Even then, the answer was, “No.”  Until …. he finally agreed to try a game called Quiddler. 

If you have not heard of this card game, it begins by dealing three cards and increases each hand until you deal ten.  The cards have letters on them and the goal is to spell words.  We played.  We played again.  We play almost every evening.

Remember, it is the game I enjoy, but I do win this somewhere around 60-70% of the time.  Why?  The main reason is because I know how to play games.  I know strategy.  If he is the one going out, I re-arrange my cards so he doesn’t get extra points.  Not having grown up playing games, he doesn’t think about strategy.  He doesn’t try to stop me from getting extra points.

BUT – we help each other.  Last night he went out and I was playing my words and laying a Y over to the side.  I could not fit it anywhere and would have to deduct those points.  He looked at one of my words and said, “Put the Y on ever.”  Every -- of course.  Why hadn’t I seen that?  There it was plain as day and I missed it. 

Life is often like our Quiddler games: 

• You need a strategy or plan to get through.
• You need someone to help make sure you don’t miss the obvious.
• You need to accept that help.

One of these seems very hard for us to do.  Which one?  Accepting help from others is difficult.  We want to do it ourselves.  We don’t want to be obligated by allowing someone to help us.  We don’t want to admit we need help.

The strategy of this blog is obvious.  USE THE “Y.”  When your plan isn’t quite getting the job done and you are missing the obvious, accept the help of others.