I called on a student in class one day and that student, who did not have their hand up, but who was not paying attention, said to me, "if I had something to say, I would have raised my hand." 


Y'all, I'm just saying, I would never, ever say something like that. I mean never. But, that's what this student said to me. So, of course, I still required that the student answer the question. I told the student that as the teacher, I had the right to call on anyone. 


What's going on? I'll tell you - spiritual warfare. 


Sometimes we run into obstacles right when we least expect them. Sometimes that adversary of ours will use anybody just to try to throw you off balance. So remember that! Don't attack the person. Recognize the spirit. Just remember that person is being used by the adversary to get to you, and when you remember that, you can silence the adversary - and he needs silencing. He's getting far too much air-time! 


How can we be prepared? Spend more time in the Bible. It'll prepare you every single time!

If one thing can be said about me, it may be this: once I commit to something, I give my all to it. 


That has been especially true in relationships. I am the one that commits and believes all the sweet nothings that have been whispered in my ear. My heart is the one that swoons whenever he draws near. My smile is the megawatt that can be seen from afar.


They say wisdom comes with age, and this is true. Thank God, this is true!


Whereas before, I would jump in, right away, no delay... experience has taught me to look for the concrete before I jump in heart first. Experience has shown me what rushing in can do. I have had my heart splattered, pounded and ripped out of my chest in a rather merciless fashion because I rushed in. Because I didn't count the costs. 


I was wounded. I needed to be healed. God did that for me by taking me through what I call reconstruction. 


Reconstruction takes time if you're going to do it right. You've got to make an assessment of how much damage has been done. Once the damage estimate is together, you'll need to clear out the debris. From that point, you'll need to check the structural integrity and make any improvements to the base. And then lastly, after all that other work is done, you can start rebuilding. It's a long process but worth it, when done right.  


Don't rush in with matters of the heart. The Bible instructs us to guard our heart. Part of guarding is taking thoughtful and deliberate actions, not just going with the flow or being carried along with the breeze. 


Once more, I exhort you - don't rush in. What's the rush anyway?! 


Take your time. You don't have to be quick, just be sure. 


Picture from broken_heart_by_starry_eyedkid-1.jpg

I bet you already know that I’m about to talk about a song… This morning, the lyrics that are floating around my head are “standing, standing, standing on the promises of God my Savior, standing, standing, yes, I’m standing on the Word that’s in my heart.” Which brings me to an interesting place this morning.

What Word is in my heart?

There are many different ways that the Word can get in your heart.
(a) Attend church and as the pastor preaches and you are willing (the two have to go together, then you will get the Word in your heart. If your heart is hard, then you won’t get the Word in your heart. If you are receptive, then it can seep on in.
(b) Listen to music that teaches the Word of God. You cannot get the Word in your heart by listening to things that contradict the Word of God. Those things don’t agree.
(c) Study your Bible and Christian-related resources. Notice the order. Bible first. When you study for yourself, you feed yourself – your spirit. And, once you have feasted on the Word, it is stored in your heart.
(d) Talk with others that have the Word in their heart. They are always ready to share their experiences with the Word of God. Yes, they are – so be ready! Have some time on your hands! :-)

So, presuming that you already have some Word in your heart, it’s time for an examination. What’s in there?

It’s important to take inventory so that you have the appropriate equipment to stand on in the time of storm. It is not enough to know just one thing about God – He’s multi-faceted. He’s multi-dimensional. We can never learn it all but we must learn of Him. How can you say that you love someone when you don’t know them?

So, take a heart inventory. And when you are done, know exactly what you have to stand on.

Have you ever gotten really pumped up about something?

Hey y'all!

Happy Monday! This is the day that the Lord has made and to tell ya the truth - I'm glad!

Yesterday, I kept my godson who is three months old. I had him for a few hours and can I just say one word to describe him...ADORABLE! Oh, did he show me his gums and just cooo - you know that made my heart melt. I don't see how folks can hurt little babies. Doesn't seem plausibe!!!

OH, if you get a chance, take a color analysis. My friend Kathy posted about it on her site, if you want to read my results. And the color analysis itself is here. Of course, I didn't pay for the full analysis - I think the intro paragraph of the analysis you get back is good enough. Nevertheless, I thought it was a fun and pretty accurate assessment of me!

Now, to the real post.

Everybody is talking about it - so I think we should too. The financial bailout. Now, whether or not we get to the root of who caused it or who was first to say that they solved it, even as it was bi-partisan, you know we'll hear about it soon ... "We were the first to ..." It makes me ill that we have grown folks running our government acting like school kids... "he started it..."

Okay, I'm losing my point.

Nevertheless, although I think watching the financial bailout come to a solution is a worthwhile exercise in fiscal responsibility and the dangers of greed and self-interest, I want to shed light on another area.

As Christians, I think this bailout should encourage us to tithe more. What safer place to put your money than in the Kingdom of God. Don't scrunch your face up - we cannot control what man does with the money - but if we are joyful givers and are giving the money in faith to God, then it does not matter what happens after it's put in the collection plate. That is to say, that the decisions are not on your shoulders. The persons handling the money will have to make an account to God. Your part is to give joyfully.

My next point is that everything we have belongs to God. So, don't get into a panic about your 401k or anything else. Give all your cares to God. He's the One that got you the job so that you could have the 401k anyway. He's the One that gave you the mind so that you could learn what is required for that job with that 401k. See where I'm going here? Everything belongs to God. Every bit of it. So, it doesn't do us any good to sit around worrying. Cast all your cares on Him...

Lastly, this is a great time for witnessing. I think that God is growing weary of America's ways. We've tried to take "In God We Trust" off of our money - and now we see what's happening. We've let homosexuality onto our main primetime stations and as a nation will allow such activity to be legalized into marriage. We have put the interests of the rich ahead of those of the poor. We send aid in billions to countries outside of the US but will not send that same support to our own tax-paying US citizens in Hurricane damaged cities - remember Katrina? How much more will God take from us? No one can know, but the writing is on the wall.

Now that you've prayed (see yesterday's post), you have that peace that only God can give.

Peace, I leave with you, my peace, I give unto you: not as the world giveth,
give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27.

Now, you are able to look at that problem with a fresh set of eyes and a renewed mind.

If not, go back and repeat step one.

Now, that we are calm, we are more able to receive/hear from God.

The best place to start is the the instruction manual. You may think that sounds crazy, but when I purchased my first car, I read the instruction manual. You can never learn too much about a multi-ton vehicle that can save you in the time of need. I know how to operate my car more efficiently in inclement weather - for example. And, that knowledge came in extremely handy when we had an icestorm a few years back. So, if reading a manual for a car helps me, then surely reading the Bible - Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth will definately help and not hurt.

When you read your Word, be sure that you are reading for comprehension and not just glossing over words getting only a shallow understanding. When I read, I like to ask myself three things that I picked up from a former Sunday School teacher.

1. What did the passage SAY?

2. What does the passage MEAN?

3. How can I APPLY that to my life?

If you will take the time to read and understand your Bible and the instructions being given to you, then you are well on your way to overcoming any problems that may attempt to come your way. When you know the Word of God and know how to apply it to your situation, you have a valuable tool in combatting obstacles.

Our post next week will pick up on Disciplined Disciples, the third component of our Faith and the Long Haul Series.

And remember, I would love to hear from you and I do understand that some do not like posting, so feel free to email me here.

Today, I want to start off with a biblical paraphrase from The Message Bible:

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.” – 1Peter 5:8-11

You may also recognize the intent of this passage from the King James Version which reads:

[8]“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: [9]Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. [10] But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. [11] To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Therefore, we have a glimpse into what that tricky enemy of ours will try to do and how we are to respond. Notice that fainting is not an option.

First, we are to be on the lookout for the enemy’s approach. This is something that we must do. It is not option. If we treat it as optional, then the enemy will have us for lunch – or dinner – or a snack – you see where I’m going. We have to stay alert.

We cannot be alert if we are always spending time with the television or our caller on the cell phone. We cannot be alert if we do not STUDY the Bible. Sure you can read it for pleasure, but to be alert, you need to STUDY your Bible and hide the truths of it in your heart so that you can reference them in the time of need.

Have you ever seen a lion searching for prey? Every lion I’ve ever see (you know this is limited to the Discovery channel right?) So, anyway, every lion I have ever seen approaches his prey calm, cool and collected. That lion seems to really size up that prey and then it gets into position to pounce. And, once that pounce has taken place – well, that poor little prey better had prayed that day because the intervention of the Almighty is the only thing that will save it!

My point – your enemy sizes you up and knows just when to pounce. He knows when you have not prayed or when you have not studied. He knows when you are not concerned about Kingdom business and he makes his plan to attack you when you are the weakest. Weak in prayer – weak in study – weak in praise – weak in worship.

Notice the King James Version says seeking whom he MAY devour. Our lack of discipline in prayer, study, praise and worship is likened to telling the enemy, come on and get me! Get your snack on!

In the next post, we will discuss the remainder of this passage of Scripture. In the meantime,
PRAY
STUDY
PRAISE
WORSHIP!