This Is Not Where I Belong

 

 

As you are going about your day, you get a knock on the door. When you open it, there are three people standing there. You know who they are, as they've visited before several times...and lately you've been a bit more curious too. There are also a couple families on your block who have joined what they've offered and there is something so different about them, not weird different, but a good and peaceful different. However, life has been so busy, and even difficult, that you haven't ever taken the time to really find out what they offer other than a ticket to what they say is a special place.

 

 

They were very nice and asked if you knew or had ever heard about what they offered before? You said you knew of them as they had visited before...but you didn't remember what they said, except that their caring demeanor left an impression. So they proceeded to tell you that it was a travel package to a very special place. It was amazing, because as they spoke your heart was about to jump out of your chest, kind of like it already knew what this was all about before you did!

 

They told you that it's a place that will make you feel like you are finally home, even before you even get there! That statement rings true, yet, how can that be, you think? Anyway, you ask what day would you have to plan on leaving? They tell you that is still to be determined...but that you will receive upon acceptance a personal hallmark from the Sovereign Himself, so you need not worry about being forgotten when the day comes!

 

Then you ask them about what one does while they are waiting for that day? One of the men standing there chimes in and says, "Nothing, if you don't want to!" Then he proceeds to tell you that you'll receive a letter written by the Sovereign Himself. A treasured message with many nuggets of His truths, His ways and His love contained within it...all to get you ready for the trip!

 

 

But, the words that one said keeps ringing in your ears, "Nothing - nothing -no-thing??" 'Hmmm. I don't have to do anything', you think?? Oh, that's right you think...you didn't ask how much the membership and the trip cost!? Well, no wonder he said NOTHING!... because the whole package is probably SO expensive that there is no way they'd dare ask you to do anymore than what you've already done!! Ha!!

 

Then before you even open your mouth another one of the men standing there says, "Oh, I'll bet you are wondering the cost!?" You nod whole-heartedly, and then begin to compute in your head how much you've saved up and what you could sell, and how you probably don't have enough to pay your way because of some debts you have...and then if they knew the times you were not honest with your money and....oh, my!...especially since you heard one of them say that all members must have a clean slate before they are accepted!

 

 

So, you begin to tell him these things, and with each word you get more and more red as you feel your face become so flushed...and your stomach SO sick! But then he says the strangest, and most unexpected thing - it's free, because it has been totally paid for by the Sovereign Himself. Huh?!? "Naww...there has got to be a catch", you say! Then he continues and says, "It's not only free to you, but your slate will be counted as completely clean...so this means that there is nothing that can keep you out!"

 

 

Then another fellow speaks up and says, "Well then, we will be on our way...and when you need us we can always come back"...and then moves closer and looks deep into your eyes, then continues..."after you accept this membership, there will be one very important thing that He'll want you to know as you enter this new life.".  

 

 

 

Then without another word, one of them hands you a very lovely box with a card attached, then they turn and begin walking away. You look down at the box, then look up to ask what that thing is...and to say good-bye...but they are gone! You look this way and that...and don't even see any tail lights. Hmmm...

 

 

 

As you turn to go back in the house you about trip on the stoop, as your mind is just going round and round. However, you make it to the couch and sit there looking at the box and thinking about the prospects. You think about what they told you...He invites YOU, and has already shouldered the cost Himself and is getting everything ready there for YOU...and then He Himself sends you a personal invitation to join Him! Wow, you think! Is this really true? Hmmm. But then you remember what one of them said before they left. There is something else He wants me to know!

 

 

 

 

 

So, you take a big breath and open the card...as you read the invitation you feel a tug on your heart. Then you pick up the box and shake it alittle bit and look at it from all sides...and begin to carefully open it...but as you begin unfolding the top it seems to open all by itself. Then as you look inside you sense a slight whisper...in fact it is something you know you've heard before.

 

 

Very distinctive. Nothing you ever hear on a regular basis. Then the still small voice instructs you to reach into the box. As you do your hand lands on a small feather-light dove...and you just know what to do with it...as if you've known all along! So you enthusiatically press it into your chest and it vanishes. You know something has happened...

 

 

In minutes you are pouring out your heart and you know the Sovereign hears you. Then you remember bumping up against a couple of other things in the box too...so you reach in and find two scrolls. Written on the outside of one of them it says, 'Your journey has just begun'. You open that one first, very carefully...inside (URL), they read: 

http://aroundeverycornerat.blogspot.com/2013/02/continuation.html

 

 

 

 

Spiritual Abuse Study I

 

 

The church is probably the best place to successfully hide abuses...not only because many people can't believe that abuse could ever happen there (especially their own church), but because when we do something in the name of God...especially when there is enough truth added...people listen and submit.

 

 

It starts slowly, undetected. It could start with almost any doctrine...and then slowly it begins to distort that doctrine and then spreads like leaven in a lump of dough. Then it ultimately tears at the pure message of the Gospel. 

 

 

The biggest hold SA (spiritual abuse) has is that people have not been grounded in even the basic truths of the gospel. For instance, if someone asked you if you like or have ever seen Foyo Persimmons before...and you answer that you've never had one before and don't even know what they look like. They got ya!! Because it would be pretty easy to fo-yo now, wouldn't it?

 

 

 

They could fool you fairly easily. They could tell you about anything if enough of it sounded like the truth...or is mixed with truth. So, they go on and tell you that they only grow in China during the winter months so it is hard to find them at any stores around you. They could make jams and pies out of something else and tell you they were Foyo jams and pies...and you would probably believe anything about them UNLESS you decided to get to know Foyo Persimmons for yourself.

 

 

So you go out and find some, eat them, learn about them and make some desserts from them...and learn that almost everything they said was false. But you would have never known it unless you found out the complete truth for yourself. (I hope you do, they are yummy when still crunchy!) 

Eph. 5: 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

 

Circumspectly: taking into consideration all possible circumstances and consequences before acting. Looking at all possible angles and perspectives. (Not just believing because it sounds good.) 

 

 

So, what are the very basics of the gospel?? The word 'gospel' means Good News. Many people are preaching vehemently against sin...especially certain sins...with those sinners and their sins spread across a marque - while loudly lamenting how our country is going to hell for allowing these sins to go on...and call it the gospel. But I dare say that it is not.

 

 

Why is it not? Because Jesus was and is not fragmented. Meaning He is not going to say that He did not come to condemn the world, then turn around in another instance and act towards sinners as tho that is exactly why He came! His intents and His congruent actions were always directed at seeking people out for the purpose of showing God's profound love and salvation. Period. This IS why it was called the 'Good News'...because it WAS and is good news!

 

Luke 19:10
Indeed, the Son of Man has come to seek and to save people who are lost."

 

 

John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

 

This is also why His ministry included confronting the spiritual abusers of the day - the Pharisees, to name one group. They worked hard at promoting themselves and making God appear to be a burdensome God that is very hard to please.

Pls see - http://nlt.scripturetext.com/matthew/16.htm

 

 

Then Jesus also dealt with anyone else that sought to distort and get in the way of the pure and simple truth of the Gospel.

 

1 John 5:3

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.

 

Please click here for - Spiritual Abuse Study II  

There Is No In Between II

To understand the brightness of God's light, I think it is also important to understand how utterly dark is the darkness of the fall.

 

 

 

When Adam and Eve walked and talked with God it was complete light, with no darkness at all. None. Then when the fall happened, it was indeed a long fall. It wasn't a partial fall, where it only affected the behaviors of some, and then to others they were able to avoid much of it's influence. No. It was a complete fall, where there became a wall separating us from God...and where there is no God, there is pitch black darkness. Then when Christ died, the curtain of separation was rent in two...so that all people would have access to salvation. All people.

  

 

Matthew 27:51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.

 

Many people say that they could NEVER, ever be a homosexual for instance...or as far as the most extreme behaviors a murderer, or NO WAY a Hitler! BUT, with the same circumstances as what befell them, you and I could have very well become just like them or any other person...or they just like us for that matter!

 

 

We live in a world that is trying very hard to make it's way in utter darkness. A condition that has permeated everything, the entire creation down to the cellular level. However, we are so used to living in it that we don't pay much attention to what had actually happened to us when Adam and Eve made that fatal choice. We treat others as though they could do better...but the fact is, that without Christ we only have the carnal nature, and many of us a seared conscience, to guide us, and so all we can hope for is that the world just do the best they can with what they have. 

 

 

 

 

Romans 8:18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us. 19For the creation is eagerly awaiting the revelation of God’s children, 20because the creation has become subject to futility, though not by anything it did. The one who subjected it did so in the certainty  21that the creation itself would also be set free from corrupting bondage in order to share the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22For we know that all the rest of creation has been groaning with the pains of childbirth up to the present time. 23However, not only the creation, but we who have the first fruits of the Spirit also groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24For we were saved with this hope in mind.n Now a hope that can be observed is not really hope, for who hopes for what can be seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet observe, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

 

 

 

But to most, the world around them just seems 'dim', and then when they do think of real  'darkness' it only pertains to the ones their Pastor preached about on Sunday....you know, 'those' homosexuals over there....now THEY are IN darkness! This attitude that the church (in general) has today is what is keeping many from coming to Christ...as Paul speaks about in 1 Cor. 9-11. They have created for many an obstacle to coming to Christ...as homosexuality has been chosen out of the long list of sins to point out and preach loudly against. Partiality stems from not understanding or accepting our own utter sinfulness, as well as our common vulnerability to the effects of the fall.

 

 

Take for instance Romans chapter 1. Spend a few minutes and read through Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome. It starts out greeting the believers there and then in about the middle of the chapter it begins sounding as though God seems pretty angry about all the sin that's in this world! Yea, those sinners!! It keeps on going too from verse 18 all the way to 32!  

 

 

But then He seems to do a switcheroo. While I am busy reading and thinking about all those sinners God is talking about, then He suddenly begins talking about me before I can say WOE!! 

 

 

He immediately begins telling me in the next chapter without warning that while I am pointing my fingers at those sinners over there, that I am just as guilty as they are! They may be engaged in sexual sin, but God sees my gossip, hate, pride, heartlessness, causing fights and so on just as much...and so I had better get myself right because in verse 11 He says that He does not show favoritism!  

 

 

Partiality/favoritism...or choosing this sin over all others...also stems from fear. A fear that keeps me from wanting to discuss it...because if there are gender issues that do have some genetic origin, then that would shake my core beliefs to the ground! What would I do then?? How would I handle this new information??

 

 

If I show disrespect for a ruling authority that I believe is making wrong decisions, then wouldn't I be doing right? Or are my actions to be ruled and regulated by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5: 22-23) in any given circumstance? There is no in between.

 

 

 

To deal with partiality and fear one has to come to realize that nothing gets past God. This is something I've learned the hard way. I've also learned that God's written word has an answer to everything. This is why I've learned not to jump to conclusions or be afraid of discussing any topic, because I know that God has the answers...even if I am not aware of them yet.

 

 

Ok, but don't I have authority to judge sin? In the following- Jude is writing to a church that is being led by their carnal nature...by whim and human instinct! They have allowed some people to worm their way in who are saying they have been given the right (through their dreams) to scoff at authority as well as mock and talk about things they know nothing about!

 

 

 

Then Jude makes a comparison to remind them about what authority and rights are really for...as they are not for using to one's own advantage or just according to how one feels. I may have the right to do this or that, but it does not mean I use this advantage. 

 

 

 

He reminds them about the angels that fell from heaven that are now chained in darkness because of their behavior, thinking they could take advantage of their authority. And even tho the Archangel Micheal himself had authority over Satan, he was still very careful not to take advantage even to the point of not directly rebuking the devil himself when he fought him. 

 

 

 

Jude 1:8-11

"8In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings. 9But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses’ body.)

 

 

 

10But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts (carnal nature) tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction. 11What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion."

 

 

 

 

I can not find anywhere in scripture where it says it is OK at times to step into the parameters of the carnal nature (Gal. 5:16-26) and operate from there. Even if I thought I had the right or authority to do so, God is still telling me I am not to use my authority to please my carnal nature...to slander, or scoff, or mock, or desire to cause harm to someone...to anyone! 

 

 

 

The following are two URLs that explicitly show many of the extreme conditions that the fall has created. The 1st URL is important to understand so that when this subject comes up we  WILL know at least a little bit about it...as well as understand that many of these people are judged as sinners, when it was the fall and medical science that made a mess of their lives. These people (well, actually all people - John 3:16) need compassion so they come to Christ to be saved and healed.  

 

 

 

The 2nd URL shows what the fall is capable of doing...of  course there are images that were mixed in that are not real, but most of them are...please open this URL with caution. I volunteered at a hospital with my HS youth group that housed and cared for extremely deformed children, and so I can tell you that a majority of these images are real.

 

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2004/06/the_cutting_edge.html

 

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-701-21-s&va=human+anomalies

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spiritual Abusers Of Jesus Day

Jesus rarely showed anger, so when He did, those were the times we had better take heed and ask ourselves, why?! The one segment of the population that He showed the majority of His anger towards were the Pharisees and the like.

 

 

I submit that there was one prevailing reason why He chose these guys to pour the majority of His wrath on...spiritual abuse!!

 

 

The Pharisees took their knowledge and used it to crush people by enthusiastically pointing out their sins and getting them to see the weight and darkness of their deeds, because of not having the humility that comes from seeing their own utter sinfulness.

 

This intimidating attitude in turn caused them to forcefully "be in people's face" about those giant sins, and then as a result, any redemption that would be offered would seem quite small  and ineffectual in comparison. So essentially, they, who looked and talked as though they represented God, completely misrepresented Him.

 

 

So, what the Pharisees actually did was to make people focus on their sin, instead of what is MUCH greater, the Redeemer that came to forgive all sin!

 

 

 

Most of the following verses are self-evident as to why the Pharisees were the obvious villains that they were...however, why is it apparent that so much of what Jesus said to them was recorded for us to read? To me, I see what was said to the Pharisees, was also meant for us as a warning, of what the gospel clearly is and what it isn't...to those who say they are presenting the gospel and to those who have been hurt by the Pharisees that are present today. 

 

 

If you notice in verse 11...Jesus, after reminding the Pharisees of all the things they do to try to be great in God's Kingdom, He then tells them in just a few words what it truly takes! Becoming a servant of all.

 

 

Then in 13 Jesus tells them that their behavior turns people away from coming to God, and then when they do happen to make a convert in verse 15 that person becomes even worse than they are.

 

 

From there as we read down...then in verse 24 where it says that they 'strain gnats"....this was a wonderful metaphor of what it is to major on the very minor things, instead of majoring on the things that should be majored on.

 

 

 The law spoke specifically about what they were not to eat, as in Deut. 14: "19All flying insects that swarm are unclean to you; do not eat them. 20But any winged creature that is clean you may eat." So, the Pharisees would sip their wine through their teeth so as to keep the gnats from being swallowed. This is what Jesus was referring to, that they were very careful about not swallowing gnats, but they absolutely ignored the important things that were so apparent!

 

 

 

Then as we read through to verses 29-36 God is telling them how they say they revere the Prophets, yet the ones God is sending today to speak the truth, they are fighting against....and they will not be the only ones that are accountable for this harm, but also those that allow this to happen.

 

 

Then He ends with His ultimate and contrasting desire....that we all be gathered together, and realize His mercy and tenderness, as His dear children.

 

 

 

Matthew 23: 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2"The scribes and the Pharisees teach with Moses' authority. 3So be careful to do everything they tell you. But don't follow their example, because they don't practice what they preach. 4They make loads that are hard to carry and lay them on the shoulders of the people. However, they are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5"They do everything to attract people's attention. They make their headbands large and the tassels on their shawls long.

 

 

 6They love the place of honor at dinners and the front seats in synagogues. 7They love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have people call them Rabbi. 8But don't make others call you Rabbi, because you have only one teacher, and you are all followers.

 

 

 9And don't call anyone on earth your father, because you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Don't make others call you a leader, because you have only one leader, the Messiah. 11The person who is greatest among you will be a servant of all. 12Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored.

 

13"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You lock people out of the kingdom of heaven. You don't enter it yourselves, and you don't permit others to enter when they try.

 

15"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You cross land and sea to recruit a single follower, and when you do, you make that person twice as fit for hell as you are.

 

16"How horrible it will be for you, you blind guides! You say, 'To swear an oath by the temple doesn't mean a thing. But to swear an oath by the gold in the temple means a person must keep his oath.' 17You blind fools! What is more important, the gold or the temple that made the gold holy? 18Again you say, 'To swear an oath by the altar doesn't mean a thing. But to swear an oath by the gift on the altar means a person must keep his oath.'

 

 

 19You blind men! What is more important, the gift or the altar that makes the gift holy? 20To swear an oath by the altar is to swear by it and by everything on it. 21To swear an oath by the temple is to swear by it and by the one who lives there. 22And to swear an oath by heaven is to swear by God's throne and the one who sits on it.

 

23"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You give [God] one-tenth of your mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These are the most important things in Moses' Teachings. You should have done these things without neglecting the others. 24You blind guides! You strain gnats, but you swallow camels.

 

25"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You clean the outside of cups and dishes. But inside they are full of greed and uncontrolled desires. 26You blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cups and dishes so that the outside may also be clean.

 

27"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed graves that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of dead people's bones and every kind of impurity. 28So on the outside you look as though you have God's approval, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

 

 

29"How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of those who had God's approval. 30Then you say, 'If we had lived at the time of our ancestors, we would not have helped to murder the prophets.' 31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32Go ahead, finish what your ancestors started! 33"You snakes! You poisonous snakes! How can you escape being condemned to hell?

 

 

 

34I'm sending you prophets, wise men, and teachers of the Scriptures. You will kill and crucify some of them. Others you will whip in your synagogues and persecute from city to city. 35As a result, you will be held accountable for all the innocent blood of those murdered on earth, from the murder of righteous Abel to that of Zechariah, son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36I can guarantee this truth: The people living now will be held accountable for all these things.

 

 

37"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone to death those sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you were not willing! 38Your house will be abandoned, deserted. 39I can guarantee that you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!'"

 

 

 

A Pastor I had a number of years ago once said, that if each and every human being truly realized the darkness of the sin that came into the world at the fall, of which we each are an equal part of, it would literally crush us. Conversely if we actually realized the profound love that God had that prompted Him to carry out His plan of redemption, we would not be able to contain it to where we would jump up and then run down the street screaming!

  

 

We must engage the mind and heart of Christ to get things done for the Kingdom...and make Him our pilot, not co-pilot. Repent of putting our opinions and attitudes ahead of God's. Let Christ's love lead...as He commanded. Become a servant of all.  Eph. 4:15

 

 

 

If We Are The Body of Christ

Who would you be willing...or better yet 'glad to'...have a cup of coffee with?

 

         1 Corinthians 12:20-27

 

 20"So there are many parts but one body. 21An eye can't say to a hand, "I don't need you!" Or again, the head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22The opposite is true. The parts of the body that we think are weaker are the ones we really need. 23The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we give special honor. So our unpresentable parts are made more presentable. 24However, our presentable parts don't need this kind of treatment. God has put the body together and given special honor to the part that doesn't have it. 25God's purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other. 26If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts share its suffering. If one part is praised, all the others share in its happiness. 27You are Christ's body and each of you is an individual part of it."

 

 

 

What are the parts of our body that need more care, but many times don't receive it? Well...then what are the parts that we give lots of care to? I am thinking they are the parts that the world sees, so we primp and keep them in good shape...yet these are the parts that don't need as much care...as compared to the parts that do need the extra attention. Yet many times these parts that need more attention don't get it, because the body normally keeps them hidden.

 

 

 

Our hearts need a lot more care than our fingernails....but it is our fingernails that usually get the most care. I suspect it is because they are what people see. They are what gives us a reputation. They are what adds to our appearance.

 

 

 

Our bladder is something we only think about at certain times...and our stomach as well, yet it needs lots of care, as it is what holds our body fuel -- our food, yet most of us ignore it's real needs so it works properly. Then the intestines....which are also needed to provide our body with the fuel it needs. But do these parts get as much attention as our eye lashes, or toe nails...or our hair? I don't think so...well, I'm convicted anyway!

 

 

The lungs, intestines, stomach, and bladder are not pretty, but they are a part of the body, and considered vital parts of the body...so, in light of what God wants to teach us, do we treat those at church who are not very pretty as important as the attendees that are?  The ones who come in with body odor and not dressed very nicely, do we snub them 'just a bit'? Or how about the believers that are still struggling with various sins in their lives? Do the thoughts in our mind immediately begin evaluating them....comparing them to ourselves and having the attitude that some how we are above ever being that vulnerable to this fallen world, so we think, "I don't know how they could let things get this bad! I would never let that happen!"

 

 

*When people think this way, then I wonder sometimes if this stems from a mindset that they are somehow above the human condition...and maybe even think that they could never do what Adam and Eve did to cause the fall!

 

Jesus tells us here the reason why the less desired among us are the ones that deserve the most esteem. The ones who have struggled the most are normally the ones who become the most productive, as they love and show mercy towards others much more. They have experienced and therefore understand what it feels like to be so miserable, and then what it truly feels like to be forgiven! It is likened to a person who has been in utter darkness for many years and then is given the chance to be out in the light vs a person who has never experienced total darkness and so when given the chance to be in the light does not appreciate it as much.

 

Luke 7:47 Jesus said, "I tell you, her sins--and they are many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love."

 

 

As the body of Christ...where Christ is our Head, we as Christians have to begin listening better and learning from the Head...and cultivating the mind of Christ that is already in us. The humble attitude that Christ had...as He humbled Himself and became a man, and died a horrible and humiliating death on the cross for us. Therefore we, out of deep love and reverence can do no less, but carry with us a humble attitude in how we see ~ and serve those around us...as our reasonable service

 

.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

 

 

We must begin realizing and never forgetting our own vulnerability and humanity in order to be the kind of people that produce the fruit that is pleasing to God.

 

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

 

 

Enjoying Everything About God and His Written Word I

 

 

 

I believe not one tittle of scripture, or one ounce of God's creation, or one area of our Savior's life or what He taught should ever be ignored. I'm not saying we should try and be hyper-vigilant -- oh, no. But to always have our hearts open to God as He teaches us how to live free...and to not allow our fears and superstitions to dominate.

 

 

 

I learned early on, thanks to great bible teachers, to be very careful about grasping at all the waves of doctrine that regularly fly around. I look back and remember the various ideas people believed...and spread! Yikes! 

 

 

 

"Greater is He that is in me, then he that is in the world" This is not just a nice sounding sentiment...it is true. I see Christians today have more fears than ever before...well, in my Christian lifetime anyway.

 

 

 

 

"Don't touch this and don't go there and don't buy that and don't think like that!" St. Paul spoke about this. In 1 Corinthians 10:18-33 he says that the only thing to really  'worry' about is if what you do causes someone else to stumble, or puts an obstacle in their way of coming to Christ.

 

 

 

When I first got saved I was in a church that came out of the Jesus Movement...and so one of the practices was to partake in secular album breaking or burning - well, we had a breaking party! Now I look back and kinda morn over the albums I broke that would now be collectors items!

 

 

In this last section of scripture in 1 Corinthians 10 Paul says that since any meat that is offered to idols are really offered to nothing, since idols are in actuality only things and not gods at all...then it is not going to hurt us to eat it if it won't make anyone stumble. Yet, he also says that going out of our way to get idol meat would not be a good idea either (because maybe it is cheaper)...because God wants our conscience to be completely clear and to do things freely, but out of faith and love. Please also read Romans 14.

 

 

Additionally, please ponder on this section of scripture:  http://gwt.scripturetext.com/colossians/2.htm

 

 

I just love animals. They are such a gift from God! They definitely have God's fingerprints on them. I believe that it is the enemy that wants us to 'use' them without considering that we are stewards of them and should care about their well being. Everything that lives will die at some point, so it is not the dying of an animal that bothers me...it is how it lives and how it dies is what concerns me. I am not a vegetarian, and I don't advocate it....yet, I do advocate the ethical treatment of all of God's creation....because it is a gift to us, so in my heart it would be ungrateful to do otherwise. All, meaning, people too of course.

 

 

 

Romans 1: 18-23 18God's anger is revealed from heaven against every ungodly and immoral thing people do as they try to suppress the truth by their immoral living. 19What can be known about God is clear to them because he has made it clear to them. 20From the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what He made. As a result, people have no excuse. 21They knew God but did not praise and thank him for being God. Instead, their thoughts were pointless, and their misguided minds were plunged into darkness. 22While claiming to be wise, they became fools. 23They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for statues that looked like mortal humans, birds, animals, and snakes.

 

 

 

Prov. 12:10 The Godly care for their animals, but even the mercies of the wicked are cruel.

 

 

Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.

 

 

 

Please go over here to "Enjoying Everything II"--

http://aroundeverycornerat.blogspot.com/2013/01/enjoying-everything-ii.html