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Grace or Judgement.

So I had somehow forgotten about this blog. I have been wanting to start one and in the process, found this. I have decided to continue blogging in the hopes that some of you might be blessed and maybe find yourself a little closer to Jesus. I have been reflecting on the events of the past couple of weeks in my life. Someone had inadvertently hurt me in a way that cut me deeper than it should have. Why did they do It? Why did I let them? Why did I not lash out at them at the time? The last one is the easiest for me to answer. I usually don’t lash out right away because I have learned how damaging my anger can be. It is only by God’s help that I am not in jail or dead from reacting in anger. When I was younger, my siblings use to get me so mad that despite their being bigger than me, I would come in swinging. They would respond by holding me off with a simple hand placed on my head to keep me at arms length. What a sight that was. My brother or sister standing there holdin...
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The Big Answer

So perhaps this was more to me than it might be to you but I will reveal as much as I can in perspective. Somewhere along the way I came to a belief system that only allowed God generic emotions regarding preferences or choices as they were. The problem with that belief is the are scriptures that reflect a very emotional God with preferences and likes or dislikes that are not defined by mere logic. Case in point. Psa 87:2  the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. This verse has bothered me for many years.....Yes, I accept the weirdness of it all but that is my world. Why does God love one town more than another? Especially when you remove the criteria of the residents. Does God really care where we live? I mean other than the sake of ministry? I have asked about this many times but I didn't just want the pat answer that we have a tendency to lean toward when logic escapes us. While reading the other day I came across this scripture....
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Why do all the white crayons last so long?

I re-posted a funny post from Facebook this morning that got me thinking. Dear White Crayon, What is it you do here, exactly? Sincerely, The other crayons. Funny but if you stop and think about it pretty darn sad. I daresay that many of us in church feel like that white crayon. At least when it comes to church. We go to church in our Sunday best, maybe greet a few people on our way to our seat. We then enjoy a few songs and an inspirational message. After church we reflect on the message and wonder "What does it mean to me?" We go back to our lives on Monday morning and forget all about the message and the good feeling the songs made us feel until the following Sunday. I must tell you, God has a better plan for you than that. God did not create "white crayons" who's only purpose in life is to provide contrast for the other crayons. God wants you to make a difference. His desire for you is to add color to your world wherever you find yourself. N...
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Lot's Choices

Yes, I know I haven't finished the Book of John. I might not on this blog. I bought a new Chronological Study Bible and have started reading it from the beginning. So the next while will be things I pick up along the way. I hope they bless you, encourage you, challenge you. The first one is about Lot. Lot was Abraham's nephew. He left the land where Abraham was raised and traveled with Abraham towards the promised land. At one point, Abraham and Lot decide to go their separate ways. Both were very wealthy and had considerable flocks and servants. So Abraham gives Lot first choice in which area he wanted. This would normally be the choice of the elder relative as well as the more influential one. But Abraham was not as concerned with where He would end up. He knew God was preparing a place for him. Lot, on the other hand, wanted the easy life. Gen 13:8-12  Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my he...
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John 17:1-26 The High Priestly Prayer

I feel like I found a new chapter in my Bible this morning. I must of read this chapter 100 times but it all seemed new today. What an amazing prayer! There is so much here it may take a few days to digest it. So get this. Jesus is at the end of His ministry here on Earth. This is like the closing prayer before all the announcements are made, the chairs put away, the lights turned off. The stuff in this prayer is so rich with love and theology and promise. Things that stand out to me. 1. God had given Jesus all authority over all flesh. (yes, He said all) 2. Knowing God and Jesus translates to eternal life. (no coupons needed) 3.Jesus basically says that the work was done in the disciples (except for that whole sanctification thing). 4. Jesus said He didn't lose one that the Father had given Him (except for Judas).  I may have to come back to this one at a later date. 5. As the Father sent Jesus into the world, He is sending us. 6. Jesus glorified the Father h...
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John 16:25-33 I Have Overcome The World

I have overcome the world. One of the boldest statements made by Jesus in my opinion. Here is Jesus, on the end of His time here on earth about to be taken by the "world", beaten, put on a cross to die, and He says "I have overcome the world" Not "might". Not even "will". I "have"! I often wonder about my life as a Christian. I know I am supposed to emulate Christ in my daily walk, but do I show such boldness? Am I letting my "Christian humility" get in the way of my "Christ-like boldness"? Maybe I don't believe He has overcome the world, yet. It is a lot easier to fit into my daily walk if Jesus hadn't already overcome the world. If we were waiting for a future event by Jesus before we really walked the walk. Think about it. If we still were waiting for Jesus to do the final blow to this world and it's power we could use that excuse to live lives less than the ones we were called to. On j...
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John 16:16-24 Your Sorrow Will Be Turned Into Joy

What a great promise. Our sorrow will be turned into joy. Can you imagine? Those of us that have sorrowed over jobs, children, relationships, family, tribulations, etc. All that will be turned into joy! When? Well this is a tough passage for me and apparently many commentators as well. Is Jesus saying turned into joy after His rising from the dead? Or is He saying when He returns? I read several commentaries and they seem to disagree. I do know this, my sorrow has not turned into joy, yet. Does that mean I have missed the mark? Does that mean I am in sin and the sorrow that I feel is a result of that sin? Does that mean I need to change my priorities. Perhaps. More than likely, the wording on this passage is enough to mean at the return of Christ. Somehow it seems that the disciples understood it and needed no further explanation. I am slower than most so I would have asked for more. This one thing I know at some point, my sorrow will be turned into joy. Now when Jesu...
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