It's been a long while since I've done any writing. I took a lot of verbal and virtual beatings on several fronts, did some major wrestling with the enemy over several issues, needed some time alone with my Lord to get my head on straight again, got my spirit renewed, and now I think I'm ready to come back to it.
First thing I'm ready to tackle is the subject of faith healing. Or rather, the judgmental attitude that a lot of us ill Christians face when such attempts fail, are denied/delayed, or whatever else you want to call it. I fully believe that God can and does heal today, just as He did when Jesus was still walking on the earth. I fully believe that I could be instantaneously and completely healed right now if God so chose to demonstrate His will in that way. I would be delighted if He did. I have prayed for that many times. I have had many people pray for that for me, both while laying hands on me and from afar, with oil and without. So far that prayer has not been answered, at least not in full. But I'm still saying that God is my King and I'm still trusting in His plan for me.
Now, over the years I've had a few people ask me from time to time if there might not be some sin that I've committed that perhaps I have failed to confess, and if perhaps that might not be what is keeping me from getting well. I've always appreciated that, for we Christians are called to keep each other on the straight and narrow. And sometimes when I've searched my heart, I've found something or other that wasn't right, and took it to my Lord in prayer, confessed, repented, and went on my merry way. But it never had any impact on my health. That's not to say that prayer never had any impact... God has always given me relief in one form or another (though never in the way I expected) whenever I truly reached the end of my rope in dealing with my health. Just never full relief from it... just enough for me to keep going.
Occasionally I've encountered some really obnoxious individuals who have INSISTED that there HAD to be some sin causing my illness, that there was no other explanation for it, and no other way to heal me than for me to come clean and confess this so-called hidden sin... Yeah, a sin SO hidden that I don't even know what it is! These individuals are absolutely unbelievable, because they just won't leave a subject alone, and will hound a person to death, so sure they're right, and so convinced that they're doing the Lord's work in browbeating ill people, trying to get them to confess to Lord knows what, for no other reason than they're sick! Don't bother holding Job up as an example, because Job "feared" what befell him, and "fearing is a sin!" Hello! God Almighty Himself called Job faithful (Job 1:8), then turned around and rewarded Job tenfold for remaining faithful through it all and made the 'friends' who insisted that he was sick because of sin apologize to him (well, not in so many words, but you know that's what's implied, when they had to go to Job in order to 'get right' with God again!), take sacrifices to him to be burnt on their behalves for their sin in speaking against God in this way (for assuming that God works in the way they insisted He does) and have Job say prayers for them (Job 42:8)! *snort* If you're reading this and you're one of the ones who acted in this way towards me, rest assured, I've prayed for you and forgiven you, even though I know and you know you've never come to me to make anything right with me (getting right with God is up to you.) A hug sure wouldn't hurt, though, if you ever get the opportunity to visit my neck of the woods. ;-) In the meantime, might I point out that it's dangerous to be so focused on possible splinters in the eyes of the sick that you miss the planks in your own eyes? If you have ever made the assumption that somebody was sick because they sinned, especially without really knowing anything about that person, please reread the book of Job, because not all illness is the result of sin.
I want to say that again.
Not ALL illness is the result of sin! (Reread Job AGAIN if you want to argue with me on that point. And I'm not splitting hairs about Adam, as this IS the post-Adam world. Don't be petty. Semantics irritate me.)
A few months ago, I had something new happen to me. I was introduced to something I had never even imagined encountering before... the notion that a person who didn't even know me, didn't know anything about me, could tell me what my sin was based on my symptoms. Turns out there's a whole ministry, with lots of followers, built on extractions from the bible all mixed together with a bit of modern medicine and psychology and... Voila!... Psychobabble with a spiritual twist! Now...To be fair, the pastor that started it all seems to have good intentions, and seems to have led a lot of people to healing, and for those people, I say "Wonderful! Hallelujah!!" There's a LOT to be said about the effect of guilt, fear, anger, self-hatred, bitterness and all those other negative emotions (sins!) on the human body, some that you maybe didn't intentionally choose but had foisted upon you by your upbringing, and it's a HUGE relief when you finally understand that the lies you may have been buying into for much of your life can no longer imprison you, and you're FREE! It may have even been the source of your illness, and you may find yourself healed as a result of that freedom!! Awesome! If you're ill and you've never looked into this possibility, it's worth a look, with caution. But... there's an awful lot of people who are getting trampled by the mob following along behind this movement and NOT getting healed...
Firstly, despite our world's fascination with putting everything in neat little packages, life just isn't that way. Don't believe me? Look at the animal kingdom classifications... as much as man tries to neatly divide all the animals into neat categories, God seems to delight in creating exceptions to man's attempts to create rules for everything. Look at the platypus, for crying out loud! It looks like it could easily belong to several different classifications of animal all by itself! Tell me God didn't chortle and say, "There, you silly children, try to classify THAT!" So now I'm supposed to believe that all people who suffer joint pain do so because they are failing to forgive? Or that all people who suffer autoimmunity are hating themselves? It doesn't wash. To me, it makes about as much sense as saying that because one man who jumped off a bridge broke his legs, ALL people with broken legs got them by jumping off bridges.
Secondly, what of those who go into faith healings with open hearts and minds, who genuinely seek to get completely right with God in every way, but aren't healed, then are treated as if it's somehow their faults they weren't healed? Is that right? Just abandon them to the enemy's lies? Shut them out from God's love? This is what happens to many of them, you know. I've talked to some of them, including some who have spiraled down into deep depression and some who have lost faith completely, and I heard the enemy trying to lie to me, too. You know what he was saying? "You're not worthy of being healed. You aren't really loved. Maybe you aren't really even forgiven your sins. Whatever it is you're supposed to do to be healed, you aren't doing it right. You can't. You might as well just give up. You can't please such a demanding god anyway. Just walk away. Go home. Leave everybody alone. Curl up and die already. Nobody loves you. Nobody wants you. Not even God. Who needs you?"
People... Please, please, please be very careful about handling issues of 'faith healing'... It really isn't a 'one size fits all' thing that works for everybody, and you must not point an accusatory finger at the person who is still sick when prayers for healing go seemingly unanswered. Sometimes God's answer is 'No', and sometimes His answer is 'Not Yet'. Sometimes these earthly bodies just plain old don't work right for organic reasons, or for things that don't have anything to do with us personally. Sometimes we reap the consequences of things that happened a long time ago: sins past, forgiven and forgotten. Sometimes we're stuck with the effects that this fallen world, and even other sinners, has had on our bodies. Though it's not absolutely clear that Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' (2 Cor 12:7) was a physical infirmity, it likely was, so sometimes illness is used to keep us on the straight and narrow, guiding us closer to God. And sometimes, just maybe sometimes, we're like Job, shining examples of faithful servants, pointed out by our Fathers as someone who would still remain faithful even in adversity, and allowed to be test subjects, and will bring glory to Him if we remain true. A friend put it best, I think, when she said that God can't be summed up in a simple equation. Yes, He is unchanging, yes, He makes promises in Scripture, but we cannot manipulate Him based on that. We have to trust in His plan, trust in His timing, trust in His sovereignty, and know that in all things, He uses everything for the good of those who love Him. And if you are one of those who has heard the enemy's lies mentioned above, Dear Child... You are so very loved! Your Father knew you before the world was created, planned everything about you, and thinks you are 'to die for'. He delights in you, and if you've repented of your sins, then He has not only forgiven them, but forgotten them, separated them from you as far as the east is from the west. He will never leave you or forsake you, and is keeping track of your tears. Be strong and courageous, for you are not alone, and there is much for you to do here to further the Lord's work, for He can use you no matter what condition you are in, for in your weakness, He is strong. And He is with you always!
Father, Forgive us for judging one another, and help us forgive others who have judged us. Heal our hearts of the hurts that such judgments have left behind. So many of us are sick, and few of us have any idea why. Guide us to the answers that are right for us, whether it be confessing sins, uncovering lies we've believed, correcting organic problems, or simply asking and finally being HEALED, or merely being content with our lot for whatever purpose You might have for that, and keep us glorifying You all the way! Keep us pointing up at You in praise, and not at each other in accusations. Remind us to reach out to those who feel betrayed and lost by the church, and welcome them lovingly back into the fold, use us as your tools again, comforting and supporting ill Christians in their weakness until they are made well or until they are taken home to be with You. Reveal the enemy's lies for what they are, and fill us with Your love, no matter what our physical condition. Show us, if we're ill, how we can be of use to You, even in our weakness. Thank You, Jesus, for saving us repentants all, sick and healthy, just for believing in You and accepting Your gift of salvation so freely given! Amen
Scripture references I have turned to for comfort. May they comfort you as well: Book of Job, Psalm 103, Psalm 139, Jeremiah 29:11
Friday, September 4, 2009
Friday, December 19, 2008
Committing Respect or Disservice?
Sorry it's been a while since I've posted... I've been ill a lot lately, so would appreciate your prayers for good health. As I mentioned once before, I have one more archived piece to share, and this is the last of them. All else will be new material, never published or passed around before. I wrote this piece the last Christmas we served overseas, while we were in Ankara, Turkey in 2005. This was the first of my pieces that had a less than 'sweetness-and-light' tone to it, falling more under what I would think of as 'salt of the earth'... a little more spicy in admonishing those who are supposed to 'be on my side' in being in the world without being of the world, ie fellow Christians. I'm really sad to say that it's still as relevant this year as it was when I wrote it. People are being so ridiculous about taking political correctness too far, and I'm sorry to hear that a lot of them identify themselves as Christians. This piece was directed at them, questioning their true motives. If the shoe fits, I pray that you'll be convicted, and rethink you're approach. If not, I cheerfully wish you a Merry Christmas!
All the fuss this past Christmas Season over whether to wish people a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, whether this store or that ever mentions the word Christmas anywhere in their ads, in their stores or amongst their personnel has had me feeling rather bemused. On the one hand, it is rather insulting that in some places we have seen mention of other holidays: Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Ramadan, but no mention of Christmas. But on the other, as I see it, we American Christians have no one to blame but ourselves if our country is drifting so far away from its Christian roots despite the majority of Americans identifying themselves as being Christians. We've allowed ourselves to be intimidated by tiny minority groups insisting on their "right" to be spared any mention of our beliefs (no such right appears in the US Constitution.) We've stood by quietly in too many places as one symbol after another of our faith has been removed, from nativity scenes to the Ten Commandments on which our country's laws were based. We've cooperated with the "political correctness" movement for too long, and now anything goes except Christianity. And it seems to me that some of the very people who are shouting the loudest for silencing any expression of our beliefs are people who claim to be Christians themselves! I find that really troubling!
From these people, I hear "I have no right to force my beliefs on others." And, "Thumping people over the head with my bible isn't going to convert them." And, "I'm showing people of other faiths respect by not offending them with mine." Oh my. While I can agree that being obnoxious about sharing our faith isn't going to attract any new followers for Christ, I sincerely doubt that these sentiments are all that altruistic, but rather are tools that the enemy is using to weaken the church, just as he uses the phrase "separation of church and state" which appears nowhere in the US Constitution, to inspire people to bend over backwards to erase our country's heritage. Now I might make myself unpopular with Christians who think this way by saying this, but Luke 17:3 says "If your brother sins, rebuke him," so here goes: These reasons given for not expressing or displaying the Christian faith sound too much like excuses to me. Self-serving excuses. Why?
The Bible clearly tells us in Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." We are commanded to spread the good news that Jesus gave us. How, pray tell, can we do that if we "shield" anyone who might be offended from any mention of our faith? Not all of us are called to be evangelists and missionaries, but we are all to play some part in sharing the gospel with those around us. And yes, I know it can be uncomfortable to tell other people about something that is so personal to us as Jesus is. We risk rejection. We risk ridicule. We risk being asked questions we might feel unqualified to answer. This is the real reason, I believe, why so many American Christians want to side with "political correctness" while Christians in many other countries are willing to die for their faith and are dying. I believe many of us want to be absolved of this commandment. It won't work.
Just as the prophet Ezekiel was warned by God (Ezekiel 3:18-19) that he would be held accountable for failing to warn Israel of the consequences of her sins, I believe we will also be held accountable for failing to warn those around us now. Ezekiel wasn't held responsible for how Israel responded to the warnings, only for issuing them. I think the same thing applies to us today. Regarding learning from Israel's history, 1 Corinthians 10:11 tells us, "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come."
There's a very broad line between thumping somebody over the head with our Bible and joyfully and publicly expressing our faith. I live in the Middle East, where proselytizing is frowned on at best, illegal and severely punishable at worst, yet I have little difficulty sharing my faith. I may not be able to proactively tell someone about the Gospel, but I can joyfully act in a loving and godly way that draws people to me. I can also display symbols of my faith on my person and in my home. If they then feel moved to ask me questions about my faith, I can then describe the source of my joy. No one is offended. Ironically, my Muslim neighbors here cheerfully wished me a Merry Christmas! As for public symbols of the Christian faith, we find those here in the Middle East too, carefully and respectfully preserved and maintained by Muslims so that the world may come to see them and wonder. How much easier, then, it should be in our great American country where we have full religious freedom! At least until we willingly give it up, may that day never come!
So given the knowledge of what will happen to those who have not been warned, who have not received salvation, how can any Christian justify to him or herself that he or she is respecting people of other faiths by not sharing ours in any way, shape or form? To me, it is so clearly not an act of respect, but one of great disservice! We're allowing people to stumble through life according to whatever way seems wise to them, while giving them no reason to even be curious about the Truth! And that leads to eternal death for them, and an accounting before the throne of God for us. I don't know about anyone else, but I fear that accounting before God far more than I fear any rejection or ridicule from man.
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." 1Corinthians 16:13-14
Father, we come before You, thanking You and praising You for the true reason for this season- Your precious and only Son, Jesus Christ. No other gift in this world could compare to the One You already gave. Thank You! Help us to be both loving and bold in sharing this good news, to spread the joy we feel. Use us like stars of Bethlehem, guiding others towards You. Keep us pointing to and focused on the true meaning of Christmas throughout this season and all of the rest of the year. In Jesus' name we pray- Amen.
All the fuss this past Christmas Season over whether to wish people a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, whether this store or that ever mentions the word Christmas anywhere in their ads, in their stores or amongst their personnel has had me feeling rather bemused. On the one hand, it is rather insulting that in some places we have seen mention of other holidays: Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Ramadan, but no mention of Christmas. But on the other, as I see it, we American Christians have no one to blame but ourselves if our country is drifting so far away from its Christian roots despite the majority of Americans identifying themselves as being Christians. We've allowed ourselves to be intimidated by tiny minority groups insisting on their "right" to be spared any mention of our beliefs (no such right appears in the US Constitution.) We've stood by quietly in too many places as one symbol after another of our faith has been removed, from nativity scenes to the Ten Commandments on which our country's laws were based. We've cooperated with the "political correctness" movement for too long, and now anything goes except Christianity. And it seems to me that some of the very people who are shouting the loudest for silencing any expression of our beliefs are people who claim to be Christians themselves! I find that really troubling!
From these people, I hear "I have no right to force my beliefs on others." And, "Thumping people over the head with my bible isn't going to convert them." And, "I'm showing people of other faiths respect by not offending them with mine." Oh my. While I can agree that being obnoxious about sharing our faith isn't going to attract any new followers for Christ, I sincerely doubt that these sentiments are all that altruistic, but rather are tools that the enemy is using to weaken the church, just as he uses the phrase "separation of church and state" which appears nowhere in the US Constitution, to inspire people to bend over backwards to erase our country's heritage. Now I might make myself unpopular with Christians who think this way by saying this, but Luke 17:3 says "If your brother sins, rebuke him," so here goes: These reasons given for not expressing or displaying the Christian faith sound too much like excuses to me. Self-serving excuses. Why?
The Bible clearly tells us in Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." We are commanded to spread the good news that Jesus gave us. How, pray tell, can we do that if we "shield" anyone who might be offended from any mention of our faith? Not all of us are called to be evangelists and missionaries, but we are all to play some part in sharing the gospel with those around us. And yes, I know it can be uncomfortable to tell other people about something that is so personal to us as Jesus is. We risk rejection. We risk ridicule. We risk being asked questions we might feel unqualified to answer. This is the real reason, I believe, why so many American Christians want to side with "political correctness" while Christians in many other countries are willing to die for their faith and are dying. I believe many of us want to be absolved of this commandment. It won't work.
Just as the prophet Ezekiel was warned by God (Ezekiel 3:18-19) that he would be held accountable for failing to warn Israel of the consequences of her sins, I believe we will also be held accountable for failing to warn those around us now. Ezekiel wasn't held responsible for how Israel responded to the warnings, only for issuing them. I think the same thing applies to us today. Regarding learning from Israel's history, 1 Corinthians 10:11 tells us, "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come."
There's a very broad line between thumping somebody over the head with our Bible and joyfully and publicly expressing our faith. I live in the Middle East, where proselytizing is frowned on at best, illegal and severely punishable at worst, yet I have little difficulty sharing my faith. I may not be able to proactively tell someone about the Gospel, but I can joyfully act in a loving and godly way that draws people to me. I can also display symbols of my faith on my person and in my home. If they then feel moved to ask me questions about my faith, I can then describe the source of my joy. No one is offended. Ironically, my Muslim neighbors here cheerfully wished me a Merry Christmas! As for public symbols of the Christian faith, we find those here in the Middle East too, carefully and respectfully preserved and maintained by Muslims so that the world may come to see them and wonder. How much easier, then, it should be in our great American country where we have full religious freedom! At least until we willingly give it up, may that day never come!
So given the knowledge of what will happen to those who have not been warned, who have not received salvation, how can any Christian justify to him or herself that he or she is respecting people of other faiths by not sharing ours in any way, shape or form? To me, it is so clearly not an act of respect, but one of great disservice! We're allowing people to stumble through life according to whatever way seems wise to them, while giving them no reason to even be curious about the Truth! And that leads to eternal death for them, and an accounting before the throne of God for us. I don't know about anyone else, but I fear that accounting before God far more than I fear any rejection or ridicule from man.
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." 1Corinthians 16:13-14
Father, we come before You, thanking You and praising You for the true reason for this season- Your precious and only Son, Jesus Christ. No other gift in this world could compare to the One You already gave. Thank You! Help us to be both loving and bold in sharing this good news, to spread the joy we feel. Use us like stars of Bethlehem, guiding others towards You. Keep us pointing to and focused on the true meaning of Christmas throughout this season and all of the rest of the year. In Jesus' name we pray- Amen.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Hope
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teachings about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. - Hebrews 5:11-14
I received some interesting reactions to my posting "Legislating Morality" and for similar statements I made elsewhere; some I was expecting, others I was not. The dissenting voices were at least kind enough, for the most part, to keep their reactions within private emails, rather than flaming me here, for which I'm grateful. But I did get judged harshly on several levels. I was called judgmental, hypocritical, self-righteous, proud and even a spoiled brat who was merely disappointed about my candidate not winning and was using the bible to justify my temper tantrum. Nice. I won't even dignify that last one with a response. I was easily able to deflect these criticisms, because the judgment wasn't mine. The hypocrisy also isn't mine, for I'm doing my best to live my faith in every regard, not just on Sunday mornings and at funerals, which is the sort of "faith" I grew up around, and used to practice myself. Self-righteous and proud? Molested as a child, raped as a teen, abused in every way as a young adult, rejected as a defective and social outcast throughout much of my life, upon what have I ever had anything to grow pride? Shame permeated the majority of my life, and only by walking alongside my Lord and Savior am I even able to hold my head up with dignity. That dignity, and righteousness, is borrowed from Him alone, for His grace- which I did not deserve and can not earn- is what allows me to be called a Daughter of the King.
Moving on.
I had one other type of criticism for my posting, one that DID surprise me... Several people felt that I should have been laying out a balm of healing with talk about hope, rather than giving the message I did. I respect those who said this to me, but must respectfully disagree. Firstly, the verse heading that posting was given to me during my prayer time, and it was not one about hope. It was, however, a warning that could be used to bring hope and healing, if we heed it. I didn't even remember it being in Revelation, until I looked it up in my concordance. I admit that my heart pounded when I realized where that verse came from, as I wondered if the time spoken of in Revelation could in fact be so close. But lest anyone call me a false prophet, as one critic unjustly did, let me remind you that I never said that it WAS that time. I DO believe that the "birth pangs" referenced in Matthew 24:4-8 and elsewhere have not only begun, but are intensifying. Anyone really looking at the events of the world with eyes wide open will likely think the same. Yet I know God's patience is infinitely greater than mine, so even if we have neared the end of the "birth pangs", it could still be some time before He actually begins the judgments described in Revelation. Only He knows. What does seem clear to me, however, is that He is calling for His church to wake up to the growing apostasy that plagues her. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2), and we should not be spiritually asleep when it does! (1 Th 5:6)
Unfortunately, we are very drowsy right now, if not downright asleep, when our church can be so nearly split down the middle over an election. Christians on both sides of the election debate claim that they've made their choices after prayerfully seeking God's will, yet this cannot be, for He would not give conflicting guidance! At least half the church, and probably more, is being deceived, either because they have let down their guard, or they aren't mature in the faith, or because they never had it in the first place and they're justifying their own desires as being God's will. This brings me to my second point of disagreement about whether I should have been spreading a message of hope: Our hope lies in the Lord, and in order to have a hope-filled relationship with Him, we must first repent! Without repentance, there is no hope, for we turn our backs on Him while seeking the self or the world! A lot of us have that hope, and yes, for those of us who do, we need to hang onto that and not grow discouraged. But lest you get too comfortable in that thought, consider Ephesians 2:11-12: "Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men) - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world." Don't forget that there are people out there, many of them calling themselves our brothers and sisters in Christ, even though no one has taught them how salvation works that they might avail themselves of this gift, are without hope. Remember how it was with you, before you accepted salvation. Still more of them, while they have accepted salvation, aren't maturing in the faith, because we're not teaching them. And yet more have matured some, but seem to have stalled along the way somewhere, because we haven't corrected them for fear of offending them. We can't lay all the blame on those who are being deceived. We've been leaving them all vulnerable to the enemy that is prowling like a lion, and he's pounced on them. Yes, there's hope to be found, but we have to go out there and let the Lord use us to lead the lost in the right direction. Wake up, brothers and sisters!
Father, we thank you for warning us to wake up. We repent of our parts in allowing our younger brothers and sisters to wander untrained, and our elders to drift uncorrected and leaving them all vulnerable to the enemy. Strengthen our resolve to accept the task of being teachers, to shed the light on apostasy, to guide the church back to You. Open the hearts of the deceived, Lord, that they might have eyes to see and ears to hear when we bring Your message to them. Help us to rid ourselves of the apostasy that has weakened the church. Help us all to grow in maturity that we might bear fruit for You, both individually and as a church, once more. Lead us all to true hope, which can only be found in You. In Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen.
I received some interesting reactions to my posting "Legislating Morality" and for similar statements I made elsewhere; some I was expecting, others I was not. The dissenting voices were at least kind enough, for the most part, to keep their reactions within private emails, rather than flaming me here, for which I'm grateful. But I did get judged harshly on several levels. I was called judgmental, hypocritical, self-righteous, proud and even a spoiled brat who was merely disappointed about my candidate not winning and was using the bible to justify my temper tantrum. Nice. I won't even dignify that last one with a response. I was easily able to deflect these criticisms, because the judgment wasn't mine. The hypocrisy also isn't mine, for I'm doing my best to live my faith in every regard, not just on Sunday mornings and at funerals, which is the sort of "faith" I grew up around, and used to practice myself. Self-righteous and proud? Molested as a child, raped as a teen, abused in every way as a young adult, rejected as a defective and social outcast throughout much of my life, upon what have I ever had anything to grow pride? Shame permeated the majority of my life, and only by walking alongside my Lord and Savior am I even able to hold my head up with dignity. That dignity, and righteousness, is borrowed from Him alone, for His grace- which I did not deserve and can not earn- is what allows me to be called a Daughter of the King.
Moving on.
I had one other type of criticism for my posting, one that DID surprise me... Several people felt that I should have been laying out a balm of healing with talk about hope, rather than giving the message I did. I respect those who said this to me, but must respectfully disagree. Firstly, the verse heading that posting was given to me during my prayer time, and it was not one about hope. It was, however, a warning that could be used to bring hope and healing, if we heed it. I didn't even remember it being in Revelation, until I looked it up in my concordance. I admit that my heart pounded when I realized where that verse came from, as I wondered if the time spoken of in Revelation could in fact be so close. But lest anyone call me a false prophet, as one critic unjustly did, let me remind you that I never said that it WAS that time. I DO believe that the "birth pangs" referenced in Matthew 24:4-8 and elsewhere have not only begun, but are intensifying. Anyone really looking at the events of the world with eyes wide open will likely think the same. Yet I know God's patience is infinitely greater than mine, so even if we have neared the end of the "birth pangs", it could still be some time before He actually begins the judgments described in Revelation. Only He knows. What does seem clear to me, however, is that He is calling for His church to wake up to the growing apostasy that plagues her. The Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2), and we should not be spiritually asleep when it does! (1 Th 5:6)
Unfortunately, we are very drowsy right now, if not downright asleep, when our church can be so nearly split down the middle over an election. Christians on both sides of the election debate claim that they've made their choices after prayerfully seeking God's will, yet this cannot be, for He would not give conflicting guidance! At least half the church, and probably more, is being deceived, either because they have let down their guard, or they aren't mature in the faith, or because they never had it in the first place and they're justifying their own desires as being God's will. This brings me to my second point of disagreement about whether I should have been spreading a message of hope: Our hope lies in the Lord, and in order to have a hope-filled relationship with Him, we must first repent! Without repentance, there is no hope, for we turn our backs on Him while seeking the self or the world! A lot of us have that hope, and yes, for those of us who do, we need to hang onto that and not grow discouraged. But lest you get too comfortable in that thought, consider Ephesians 2:11-12: "Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men) - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world." Don't forget that there are people out there, many of them calling themselves our brothers and sisters in Christ, even though no one has taught them how salvation works that they might avail themselves of this gift, are without hope. Remember how it was with you, before you accepted salvation. Still more of them, while they have accepted salvation, aren't maturing in the faith, because we're not teaching them. And yet more have matured some, but seem to have stalled along the way somewhere, because we haven't corrected them for fear of offending them. We can't lay all the blame on those who are being deceived. We've been leaving them all vulnerable to the enemy that is prowling like a lion, and he's pounced on them. Yes, there's hope to be found, but we have to go out there and let the Lord use us to lead the lost in the right direction. Wake up, brothers and sisters!
Father, we thank you for warning us to wake up. We repent of our parts in allowing our younger brothers and sisters to wander untrained, and our elders to drift uncorrected and leaving them all vulnerable to the enemy. Strengthen our resolve to accept the task of being teachers, to shed the light on apostasy, to guide the church back to You. Open the hearts of the deceived, Lord, that they might have eyes to see and ears to hear when we bring Your message to them. Help us to rid ourselves of the apostasy that has weakened the church. Help us all to grow in maturity that we might bear fruit for You, both individually and as a church, once more. Lead us all to true hope, which can only be found in You. In Jesus' precious name we pray. Amen.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Chicken Recipe
I've been asked by several people for the recipe mentioned in the Tagged item below, so rather than email it individually to all, here it is. Enjoy! :-)
TJ's Picnic Chicken
1 lb (or more) boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenderloin pieces (smaller pieces yield more flavor, and work especially well for party appetizers)
2 TB cooking oil
1 egg, beaten
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 tsp each of salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder and poultry seasoning (I like McCormick's best) (if using large breast pieces, I often use more than 1 tsp to give a stronger flavor, esp if it will be served cold)
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spread oil in baking dish. Mix bread crumbs with seasoning in shallow dish or on a plate. Dip chicken pieces into beaten egg, then coat with crumb mixture, shaking off excess, and place in baking dish. Bake 1 hr, turning half way through baking time. Smaller pieces will need less than an hour to bake (more like 40 minutes). Enjoy hot or cold! :-)
Saturday, November 8, 2008
I've been tagged!
Joan, from A Portland Granny, who didn't know if I would do this or not since my postings here are generally serious in tone, has tagged me to share ten things with all of you that I'm not afraid to admit. :-)
The rules are:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog
3) Write 10 random things about yourself (see below).
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave
a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry has been posted.
The rules are:
1) Link to the person who tagged you.
2) Post the rules on your blog
3) Write 10 random things about yourself (see below).
4) Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5) Let each person know they have been tagged and leave
a comment on their blog.
6) Let the tagger know when your entry has been posted.
Here are my ten!
1.) I don't like chocolate. I know... totally un-American! LOL I always felt like the odd man out in every gathering, until a visit to relatives on my father's side of the family revealed that 9 out of 10 of them didn't like chocolate either! Finally I fit in! It's got to be a genetic thing.
2.) I'm a "jack of all trades, master of none." My husband calls me his "Renaissance woman" because I have such a wide and varied range of interests and skills.
3.) I don't like to wear shoes. I've gotten in the habit of doing so first thing in the morning until I've done all the chores and errands that require being on the go are completed, but after that, they get kicked off!
4.) I'm hoping to become a professional writer eventually, writing for the Christian fiction and non-fiction market.
5.) My mother gave birth to me when she was 43 years old. Two of my sisters were 21 and 25 yrs old at the time, and were standing outside the nursery window when a stranger commented, "You know, that baby there... Her mother is 43 years old!" My sisters replied, "We know. She's our Mom too!"
6.) I once owned a 1967 Dodge Dart, beautifully restored, and a 1969 Buick Skylark. I loved driving both of them, and was sad when I had to let them both go, especially the Buick. Just months after the Buick was sold, it was totaled by a drunk driver who ran into it while it was parked on the street, hitting it so hard that it wrapped around a nearby telephone pole. The driver was unhurt, but the car was destroyed.
7.) Babies are my passion...I fall in love as soon as I see them, I cry when I hear bad news about them, I laugh when they giggle, I melt when they smile.
8.) I have four children, two boys and two girls, ranging from small toddler to young pre-teen. They're the lights of my earthly life, along with my husband.
9.) I've known my hubby since high school. We were best friends for ten years before marrying, and we still are.
10.) I created my own recipe of chicken when I was only 18 years old, and called it TJ's Picnic Chicken. Using my maiden initials and highschool nickname, I named it so because the chicken has as much flavor cold as it does when served hot. It never lasts long around here.
Now I pass the tag on to:
Patty at Beside Still Waters
Renee at Renee's Reflections
Jared at The Aeneid
Connie at Connie's Heartstrings
Tammi at Tammi's Treasures
Abryant at Team Bryant
1.) I don't like chocolate. I know... totally un-American! LOL I always felt like the odd man out in every gathering, until a visit to relatives on my father's side of the family revealed that 9 out of 10 of them didn't like chocolate either! Finally I fit in! It's got to be a genetic thing.
2.) I'm a "jack of all trades, master of none." My husband calls me his "Renaissance woman" because I have such a wide and varied range of interests and skills.
3.) I don't like to wear shoes. I've gotten in the habit of doing so first thing in the morning until I've done all the chores and errands that require being on the go are completed, but after that, they get kicked off!
4.) I'm hoping to become a professional writer eventually, writing for the Christian fiction and non-fiction market.
5.) My mother gave birth to me when she was 43 years old. Two of my sisters were 21 and 25 yrs old at the time, and were standing outside the nursery window when a stranger commented, "You know, that baby there... Her mother is 43 years old!" My sisters replied, "We know. She's our Mom too!"
6.) I once owned a 1967 Dodge Dart, beautifully restored, and a 1969 Buick Skylark. I loved driving both of them, and was sad when I had to let them both go, especially the Buick. Just months after the Buick was sold, it was totaled by a drunk driver who ran into it while it was parked on the street, hitting it so hard that it wrapped around a nearby telephone pole. The driver was unhurt, but the car was destroyed.
7.) Babies are my passion...I fall in love as soon as I see them, I cry when I hear bad news about them, I laugh when they giggle, I melt when they smile.
8.) I have four children, two boys and two girls, ranging from small toddler to young pre-teen. They're the lights of my earthly life, along with my husband.
9.) I've known my hubby since high school. We were best friends for ten years before marrying, and we still are.
10.) I created my own recipe of chicken when I was only 18 years old, and called it TJ's Picnic Chicken. Using my maiden initials and highschool nickname, I named it so because the chicken has as much flavor cold as it does when served hot. It never lasts long around here.
Now I pass the tag on to:
Patty at Beside Still Waters
Renee at Renee's Reflections
Jared at The Aeneid
Connie at Connie's Heartstrings
Tammi at Tammi's Treasures
Abryant at Team Bryant
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Legislating Morality
For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, read on. All others may want to leave the page now lest you be 'offended'... I have been given a message from our Lord that I'm urged to share and explain. May God give me the words I'm to say...
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.--Revelation 3:15-16
I have a very heavy heart today, and am prone to tears, and I don't think I need to tell bible-believing evangelical Christians why that is. But I can't tell you how many Christians I've talked to recently who have argued that we cannot and should not "legislate morality", and it appears that like-minded Christians were numerous enough to side with liberal unbelievers yesterday to make an awful difference. They argue that legislating "their personal beliefs" would interfere in the "free will" of non-believers, and that they don't think God would do that either, forgetting He DID do that, a long time ago, with the nation of Israel (you can't tell me that all who lived within her borders were devout Jews, but they were called to obey the 10 Commandments anyway!) The argument is flawed. These people think they're promoting an agenda that will allow them to sit on the fence, choosing to do right themselves while giving others the freedom to make their own choices unencumbered. Not so. People have been doing that all along, and it hasn't been enough. It's not enough for these unbelievers to be able to do whatever they want... They want it to be labeled as "good" and "acceptable." No longer is it enough to "fix a mistake" or "keep what they do in the bedroom IN the bedroom." The legislation being pushed forward is in fact legislating immorality by making those "rights" that were never given in the Constitution legally protected, and our right to openly call it sin will be sure to get curtailed, thanks to all the "hate crimes" legislation that is also being pushed, not to mention the persistence of the "separation of church and state" misconception. People have been sinning since before the Bible was written, and they will go right on doing so whether it's legal or not. That's human nature, that's "free will", and we can't end that. Only Christ Himself can when He comes to end all sin. But does that mean we ought to legalize those sins? Does that not make us stumbling blocks to those who don't know another way to live? People who protect alcoholics and drug addicts from the consequences of their sin and allow them to go right on sinning in comfort are called 'enablers'. Enablers make it easy for the alcoholics and drug users to remain addicted, for the addicts have little reason to stop. What makes anyone think it's any different for sexual sin? By legalizing sexual sin, we become enablers of it! And we're teaching such attitudes to a younger generation (those that aren't being killed, anyway...What about their Constitutionally given right to life?!), and soon we may have no legal rights to do otherwise! "Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves." Luke 17:1-3a
I find it interesting what my NIV Life Application Study Bible's study notes has to say about Rev 3:15... "Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink. The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant. The believers didn't take a stand for anything; indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself. There is nothing more disgusting than a halfhearted, in-name-only Christian who is self-sufficient. Don't settle for following God halfway. Let Christ fire up your faith and get you into the action." Sound familiar? There's nothing new under the sun. All that is here has been here for centuries, and none of the "changes" being proposed are new. There's not going to be any fence-sitting in the end times. We have to choose either for God or for ourselves. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15b)
Regardless of what you did yesterday, today is a new day, and all of we Christians have work to do on our knees. We lost a battle, but we have not lost the war. We already know who wins that in the end. But in the meantime, we have some praying to do and more battles to fight. If you have not yet read http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/pdfs/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf, please do so now. It is not a true letter, and doesn't claim to be, but rather is a possibility projected from current trends and promises following natural consequences. It's not as far-fetched as most of us would like to believe. We need to take action to prevent as many of the scenarios in this letter as we can. We need to repent on behalf of our nation and try to turn it from evil...A revival! We need to be prepared to welcome repentant people with open arms and help clear the rubble of a battle lost. And- this wise suggestion came from my 11 yr old son early this morning and then I heard it repeated elsewhere- we need to pray for wisdom for our new and continuing leaders... Many of them claim to be Christians. Pray they actually are, and that God opens their eyes and sets their hearts on fire for Him before they take actions that would be difficult or impossible to reverse. I hope none of the scenarios described in the letter come to pass, but I'm not willing to take a chance they will if there's anything that can be done to stop them. There are souls out there in the balance!
Father, we come before You, humbled and battle-weary. Some of us prayed and fasted and stood strong for biblical standards yesterday, but it wasn't enough. Some of us made the wrong choices, thinking we were doing "good" when in fact we were doing what seems wise in the eyes of man, but leads to death. Open the eyes of all our hearts, Lord, that we might see You and know the Truth. Forgive us our sins. Have mercy on those who know not what they do. Help us turn away from sin and back to You and Your ways. Stir a revival in Your church, Lord, that we might grow stronger from this and become a tool for You to reach out to the lost souls. Use this, as everything else, to the good of those who love You. We have chosen new leaders, and while those leaders are standing for unwise things, many claim they are Christians. Stir the consciences of those who truly are, prick their souls with guilt, that they may repent. Send someone to each of the ones who only think they are Christians, and show them what it means to be one in more than name only. Grant our new and continuing leaders with wisdom, so that they may see the errors of their ways and understand the consequences of the actions they plan to take. Have mercy on America. Please. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.--Revelation 3:15-16
I have a very heavy heart today, and am prone to tears, and I don't think I need to tell bible-believing evangelical Christians why that is. But I can't tell you how many Christians I've talked to recently who have argued that we cannot and should not "legislate morality", and it appears that like-minded Christians were numerous enough to side with liberal unbelievers yesterday to make an awful difference. They argue that legislating "their personal beliefs" would interfere in the "free will" of non-believers, and that they don't think God would do that either, forgetting He DID do that, a long time ago, with the nation of Israel (you can't tell me that all who lived within her borders were devout Jews, but they were called to obey the 10 Commandments anyway!) The argument is flawed. These people think they're promoting an agenda that will allow them to sit on the fence, choosing to do right themselves while giving others the freedom to make their own choices unencumbered. Not so. People have been doing that all along, and it hasn't been enough. It's not enough for these unbelievers to be able to do whatever they want... They want it to be labeled as "good" and "acceptable." No longer is it enough to "fix a mistake" or "keep what they do in the bedroom IN the bedroom." The legislation being pushed forward is in fact legislating immorality by making those "rights" that were never given in the Constitution legally protected, and our right to openly call it sin will be sure to get curtailed, thanks to all the "hate crimes" legislation that is also being pushed, not to mention the persistence of the "separation of church and state" misconception. People have been sinning since before the Bible was written, and they will go right on doing so whether it's legal or not. That's human nature, that's "free will", and we can't end that. Only Christ Himself can when He comes to end all sin. But does that mean we ought to legalize those sins? Does that not make us stumbling blocks to those who don't know another way to live? People who protect alcoholics and drug addicts from the consequences of their sin and allow them to go right on sinning in comfort are called 'enablers'. Enablers make it easy for the alcoholics and drug users to remain addicted, for the addicts have little reason to stop. What makes anyone think it's any different for sexual sin? By legalizing sexual sin, we become enablers of it! And we're teaching such attitudes to a younger generation (those that aren't being killed, anyway...What about their Constitutionally given right to life?!), and soon we may have no legal rights to do otherwise! "Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch yourselves." Luke 17:1-3a
I find it interesting what my NIV Life Application Study Bible's study notes has to say about Rev 3:15... "Lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink. The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant. The believers didn't take a stand for anything; indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself. There is nothing more disgusting than a halfhearted, in-name-only Christian who is self-sufficient. Don't settle for following God halfway. Let Christ fire up your faith and get you into the action." Sound familiar? There's nothing new under the sun. All that is here has been here for centuries, and none of the "changes" being proposed are new. There's not going to be any fence-sitting in the end times. We have to choose either for God or for ourselves. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15b)
Regardless of what you did yesterday, today is a new day, and all of we Christians have work to do on our knees. We lost a battle, but we have not lost the war. We already know who wins that in the end. But in the meantime, we have some praying to do and more battles to fight. If you have not yet read http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/pdfs/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf, please do so now. It is not a true letter, and doesn't claim to be, but rather is a possibility projected from current trends and promises following natural consequences. It's not as far-fetched as most of us would like to believe. We need to take action to prevent as many of the scenarios in this letter as we can. We need to repent on behalf of our nation and try to turn it from evil...A revival! We need to be prepared to welcome repentant people with open arms and help clear the rubble of a battle lost. And- this wise suggestion came from my 11 yr old son early this morning and then I heard it repeated elsewhere- we need to pray for wisdom for our new and continuing leaders... Many of them claim to be Christians. Pray they actually are, and that God opens their eyes and sets their hearts on fire for Him before they take actions that would be difficult or impossible to reverse. I hope none of the scenarios described in the letter come to pass, but I'm not willing to take a chance they will if there's anything that can be done to stop them. There are souls out there in the balance!
Father, we come before You, humbled and battle-weary. Some of us prayed and fasted and stood strong for biblical standards yesterday, but it wasn't enough. Some of us made the wrong choices, thinking we were doing "good" when in fact we were doing what seems wise in the eyes of man, but leads to death. Open the eyes of all our hearts, Lord, that we might see You and know the Truth. Forgive us our sins. Have mercy on those who know not what they do. Help us turn away from sin and back to You and Your ways. Stir a revival in Your church, Lord, that we might grow stronger from this and become a tool for You to reach out to the lost souls. Use this, as everything else, to the good of those who love You. We have chosen new leaders, and while those leaders are standing for unwise things, many claim they are Christians. Stir the consciences of those who truly are, prick their souls with guilt, that they may repent. Send someone to each of the ones who only think they are Christians, and show them what it means to be one in more than name only. Grant our new and continuing leaders with wisdom, so that they may see the errors of their ways and understand the consequences of the actions they plan to take. Have mercy on America. Please. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Whatever!
Author's note: I told several people that I'm working on Proverbs 31 from the perspective of those who deal with chronic illness, and I am. I have one essay almost completed, and notes for the second one started. However, God keeps on teaching me in other areas,too, and I feel pushed to stop and write about those and post those as soon as possible, so consider this as a 'heads up' that the P31 essays may not be in uninterrupted order, but may be interspersed with other material. :-) Bear with me!
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."
-Philippians 4:8
Is the glass half full for you, or is it half empty? Sometimes one or sometimes the other? Or both at once? For me, it's usually both, because I'm rather pragmatic by nature, always looking at the practical side of things and trying to be logically factual. Most of the time I think that's a good thing. I think I'd have made a good reporter by traditional standards, because I can see and understand both sides of most issues. My ability to be objective makes me a good mediator and peacemaker. You won't catch me lying or intentionally distorting the truth. This attitude carries far enough that I have gotten stuck on the common courtesy question of "How are you?" With frequent aches and pains, I have felt like I'm lying if I reply, "Fine!" yet I also know that the person asking rarely wants a full disclosure of the truth. :-) Sometimes, though, such a factual attitude can be hurtful if I'm not careful, I've learned.
The problem I've been running into is that in reporting, with equal weight, both sides of the glass' fill line (or giving more weight to the glass being half empty, in the case of more negative moods) is that I'm focusing too much on the things that fill me with discontentment and create a spirit of rebellion within me. I'm detracting from the joy that I get from my many blessings. I'm robbing myself of the positive attitude that makes the day go more smoothly, because positivity and negativity are contagious. I'm even hindering healing! A new friend pointed out to me that I was inadvertently hurting myself by claiming illness as a part of myself, as in "MY illness, MY pain, MY disease, etc." While we're called to rejoice in our sufferings because they help us grow stronger and more Christ-like and thus fill us with hope (Romans 5:3-4), claiming illness as part of ourselves is taking that the wrong direction, for by doing so, we aren't growing through it, but are getting ourselves stuck in it. We lose any hope of being healed, because we're hanging onto this thing we've made a part of ourselves, have accepted into ourselves, and have decided that this is the way it's going to be from here on out, sometimes in the name of "accepting reality" as our society tells us we ought. How can we rejoice if we have lost hope? Cannot God change "reality"? Does He not provide healing? Of course He can and does! With God, all things are possible, if we believe! (Mark 9:23)
Now I'm not saying we should deny the truth of our experiences. I believe it's okay to say that we're struggling with this pain or that physical challenge, as long as we don't take possession of it, for how can we ask for help or healing if we don't? I'm not advocating being a false witness in denying that something is going on when it is. But I plan to take captive all my thoughts on such things (2 Cor. 10:5) to make sure I don't close the door on what is possible for God by talking myself right into unbelief, and make certain that I'm not aiding the enemy in keeping me stuck within the trials and tribulations that come my way! I plan to be more careful about the words I use to describe my health or any other area of difficulty, and I'm hard at work changing my own inner self-talk. Instead of cataloguing everything that I'm feeling (and at times I've been prone to pity parties, I admit it!), I'm noting what needs attention, doing whatever I can to take care of myself, then handing the rest over to the Lord, the Great Physician, in prayer. Once I've done that, I move on to thinking about what is good, focusing on the positive, enjoying the half of the glass that is full, and singing God's praises for everything (well, at least in my head, for I've learned not to add to my family's suffering by singing out loud in their hearing very often, since I can't carry a tune in a paper bag to save my life! LOL)
I have stopped referring to myself as being chronically ill, though I acknowledge that my health isn't as good as it ought to be. I have begun answering that question of "How are you?" with a reply of "Good enough!" for if I'm able to be around people who can ask that, then I'm doing well enough to be out and about. I have stopped expecting that I am always going to feel bad, or even that I'm going to feel bad when I wake up in the morning or after I do this or that. I have stopped complaining to my family about all the aches and pains, and it's been noticed... They aren't looking so gloomy and anxious these days. I'm seeing more smiles and a little bounce in their steps, even as they're still considerate about taking my needs into account. And something absolutely wonderful is happening to me, too... I'm feeling better! Much better than I used to think I could! I haven't been blessed with complete healing yet, despite earnest prayers both from me and from others on my behalf, but I have some additional thoughts on that and still have hope that eventually I will be so blessed. In the meantime, I am accomplishing more than I have in a long time. My days are full and my nights are more restful. Life is good. There's plenty of noble, lovely and praiseworthy things to think about.
Whatever! :-)
Father, thank you for giving us so many good, praiseworthy things to think about; for giving us so many blessings to focus on! Thank you for Your promise that all things are possible with You, if we believe, including full healing of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual lives. Help us with our unbelief, and heal us according to Your good plan for us: Your plan to prosper us and give us a hope and a future, and not to harm us. Teach us to remain focused on You, always, for only You are always true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Teach us to see Your touch on our lives and on the world around us, that we might not be overwhelmed by the things that are not of You, including pain and suffering. Build in us thankful, joyful and hope-filled hearts, so that we may shine with Your light even while we're in the midst of trials and tribulations. In Jesus' name, Amen.
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."
-Philippians 4:8
Is the glass half full for you, or is it half empty? Sometimes one or sometimes the other? Or both at once? For me, it's usually both, because I'm rather pragmatic by nature, always looking at the practical side of things and trying to be logically factual. Most of the time I think that's a good thing. I think I'd have made a good reporter by traditional standards, because I can see and understand both sides of most issues. My ability to be objective makes me a good mediator and peacemaker. You won't catch me lying or intentionally distorting the truth. This attitude carries far enough that I have gotten stuck on the common courtesy question of "How are you?" With frequent aches and pains, I have felt like I'm lying if I reply, "Fine!" yet I also know that the person asking rarely wants a full disclosure of the truth. :-) Sometimes, though, such a factual attitude can be hurtful if I'm not careful, I've learned.
The problem I've been running into is that in reporting, with equal weight, both sides of the glass' fill line (or giving more weight to the glass being half empty, in the case of more negative moods) is that I'm focusing too much on the things that fill me with discontentment and create a spirit of rebellion within me. I'm detracting from the joy that I get from my many blessings. I'm robbing myself of the positive attitude that makes the day go more smoothly, because positivity and negativity are contagious. I'm even hindering healing! A new friend pointed out to me that I was inadvertently hurting myself by claiming illness as a part of myself, as in "MY illness, MY pain, MY disease, etc." While we're called to rejoice in our sufferings because they help us grow stronger and more Christ-like and thus fill us with hope (Romans 5:3-4), claiming illness as part of ourselves is taking that the wrong direction, for by doing so, we aren't growing through it, but are getting ourselves stuck in it. We lose any hope of being healed, because we're hanging onto this thing we've made a part of ourselves, have accepted into ourselves, and have decided that this is the way it's going to be from here on out, sometimes in the name of "accepting reality" as our society tells us we ought. How can we rejoice if we have lost hope? Cannot God change "reality"? Does He not provide healing? Of course He can and does! With God, all things are possible, if we believe! (Mark 9:23)
Now I'm not saying we should deny the truth of our experiences. I believe it's okay to say that we're struggling with this pain or that physical challenge, as long as we don't take possession of it, for how can we ask for help or healing if we don't? I'm not advocating being a false witness in denying that something is going on when it is. But I plan to take captive all my thoughts on such things (2 Cor. 10:5) to make sure I don't close the door on what is possible for God by talking myself right into unbelief, and make certain that I'm not aiding the enemy in keeping me stuck within the trials and tribulations that come my way! I plan to be more careful about the words I use to describe my health or any other area of difficulty, and I'm hard at work changing my own inner self-talk. Instead of cataloguing everything that I'm feeling (and at times I've been prone to pity parties, I admit it!), I'm noting what needs attention, doing whatever I can to take care of myself, then handing the rest over to the Lord, the Great Physician, in prayer. Once I've done that, I move on to thinking about what is good, focusing on the positive, enjoying the half of the glass that is full, and singing God's praises for everything (well, at least in my head, for I've learned not to add to my family's suffering by singing out loud in their hearing very often, since I can't carry a tune in a paper bag to save my life! LOL)
I have stopped referring to myself as being chronically ill, though I acknowledge that my health isn't as good as it ought to be. I have begun answering that question of "How are you?" with a reply of "Good enough!" for if I'm able to be around people who can ask that, then I'm doing well enough to be out and about. I have stopped expecting that I am always going to feel bad, or even that I'm going to feel bad when I wake up in the morning or after I do this or that. I have stopped complaining to my family about all the aches and pains, and it's been noticed... They aren't looking so gloomy and anxious these days. I'm seeing more smiles and a little bounce in their steps, even as they're still considerate about taking my needs into account. And something absolutely wonderful is happening to me, too... I'm feeling better! Much better than I used to think I could! I haven't been blessed with complete healing yet, despite earnest prayers both from me and from others on my behalf, but I have some additional thoughts on that and still have hope that eventually I will be so blessed. In the meantime, I am accomplishing more than I have in a long time. My days are full and my nights are more restful. Life is good. There's plenty of noble, lovely and praiseworthy things to think about.
Whatever! :-)
Father, thank you for giving us so many good, praiseworthy things to think about; for giving us so many blessings to focus on! Thank you for Your promise that all things are possible with You, if we believe, including full healing of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual lives. Help us with our unbelief, and heal us according to Your good plan for us: Your plan to prosper us and give us a hope and a future, and not to harm us. Teach us to remain focused on You, always, for only You are always true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Teach us to see Your touch on our lives and on the world around us, that we might not be overwhelmed by the things that are not of You, including pain and suffering. Build in us thankful, joyful and hope-filled hearts, so that we may shine with Your light even while we're in the midst of trials and tribulations. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)