The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Sixty Two

Today has been a long and tiring day, and I'm very thankful to be home in a dry, warm house with my loving family. I'm thankful that my little one is starting to feel better, and hopeful that the colds that he has passed to my wife and I don't beat us up too bad. I don't have a whole lot to say tonight except thank You God. Thank You for the perfect gift of eternal life through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ! Thank You for the forgiveness of all sin, just for accepting the free gift that He has made possible. Thank You for the change in me that couldn't have taken place if it weren't for the Holy Spirit tugging at my heart and soul. Thank You for what You see in me when nobody else can see anything. In Jesus name, AMEN!

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Sixty One

I planted our early spring garden today, and I'm very hopeful that we'll have plenty of great fresh vegetables to eat and give away. I really like the time I get to spend outside working in the yard and garden. It's a time when I get to be alone with my thoughts and prayers. Yes, I pray a lot when I'm working outside. My mind gets to go free, there's no time restrictions or distractions, just time with God. I know that He already knows everything about me, but I get to tell Him what I'm thinking, I get to confess my faults, my hopes, and my dreams. I get to pray for those who I might have overlooked earlier. By talking to God and telling Him all of these things, I am drawn closer to Him and my spirit gets refreshed and renewed.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Sixty

I don't feel like much of a man of God tonight. As I wrote last night, my son is sick (we found out today that it's an ear infection) and he absolutely refuses to take any medicine. Well, now that he's been to the doctor, he has an additional medicine to take, an antibiotic. That's just fantastic! I tried the usual tricks, and of course, none of them worked. I got very angry. I can't get it to sink into his head that he need's to take this stuff, he just fights and fights and spits it out and gets sicker. I feel like the worst father in the world; if I can't even get him to do something as simple as take medicine, whats going to become of him when he gets older? Am I going to be able to have any control over this willful child, or is he going to run over me like a freight train? I firmly believe God's word when He says in Proverbs 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
But, I also know that there's a such a thing as too much discipline. I can't spank him all the time, if I do it'll be worse than not spanking him at all. He is so stubborn, like a little version of me, and I see all of the mistakes I've made coming up ahead of him. I worry so much about his future that I can't even see straight. I see all of the mistakes I'm making, as I'm making them and I can't seem to stop screwing up. I didn't think it was possible to but heads with a three year old like this, at least, not for me. I thought I was going to be super dad, head of the household, master of his domain, but instead, I'm struggling. I have this little boy who is just like me in almost every way and wants to do nothing more than emulate me and I don't want to teach him anything but right. Unfortunately, he is learning my faults and weaknesses as well as my strengths.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty Nine

My little boy has been pretty sick for the last four days. Congestion, coughing, runny nose, and fever, you know a typical, good old fashioned cold. The worse he feels and the more he needs to take his medicine, the harder he fights it. We try being nice and asking him to take it, we try tricking him by putting it into juice, yogurt, or milk. We try forcing him by holding him down and dropping it into his mouth, only to see it spit out all over the place. Nothing works! He refuses to take it! The whole time, he's getting sicker and sicker and his fevers are lasting longer because it's longer between doses of fever reducer. I am just about at my wits end.
The same can be said for most of this generation of people. This world is getting more and more evil with every breath that is taken and so many people are so happy to just blindly wallow in their sin like a pig in the mud, and just like my son with his medicine, they refuse to be given the cure. That cure, of course, is Jesus! God has commissioned every follower of Christ to share Him with this sin poisoned world but are we giving the "medicine", or are we keeping Him all for ourselves? Are they spitting it out, or refusing it, or are they gladly taking it for immediate restoration?
All I see and hear (for the most part) are people seeking spirituality in every manor possible but the one right under their nose. They go from flat out false religion to prosperity doctrine and any other false "feel good" doctrine they can join in, but still remain sick and confused with sin. There is one cure, and one cure only, and that is the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, how do we get people to "take their medicine"? We can't force it. We can't use trickery, that makes us just as sinful as the rest of the world. We really can't even nicely ask either because the gospel is an offense to those who refuse it. I guess that all we can do is shout it from the rooftops as loudly and often as we can and help and guide those who would receive it, and let those who refuse it stay sick.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty Eight

Today someone came over and worked on a large, old oak tree in my front yard. It had a lot of bad limbs and some that I just wanted gone. He was up in that tree for hours pruning and cutting until he got it just right, in fact, he had almost all of his gear packed up and ready to go when he looked up and saw one last little piece only about ten inches long, but he got back up in the tree and cut that piece down. Seeing him work like that made me think about what Jesus said in John 15:1 "I an the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
If I don't remain in Jesus (the Vine) God (the vinedresser) will cut me off, just like some of those bad limbs, but if I serve Him with all my heart, mind, body, and soul, He will prune me back (take away the parts of me that don't bring Him glory) so that I may become more effective for His kingdom. We put those bad limbs in a chipper and turned them into mulch, or hauled off the bigger ones for firewood. I don't want to be firewood or mulch! I want to bear fruit for my Lord and Savior! I want to be pruned so that I become more effective for Him!

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty Seven

I've been seeing a lot about the persecution of Christians worldwide, especially by Muslims. I've seen where American soldiers burnt some Qur'ans in Afghanistan that contained messages from prisoners to other prisoners (which, by the way, writing in a Qur'an is supposed to be an unforgivable sin to a Muslim) so that the messages would go unread. There has been outrage, rioting, and killing over it. Multiple apologies have been made by the US (unnecessarily if you ask me) and they have been received with a call to kill, beat, and kidnap Americans. I'm writing about this because these people clearly consider themselves to be our (my) enemies.
Mathew 6:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully persecute you."
This has got to be one of the most, if not the most difficult thing that Jesus ever commanded. (at least to me) It's nowhere near my nature to love someone who hates me, or show kindness to some who is absolutely hateful to me. It just defies everything in my fleshly mind and heart. The only way I could muster it up to show love to my sworn enemy is through Christ Jesus Himself. I have to put Him on and show His grace to those who would gladly see me die. There is no other way.
I know that I'm not in Afghanistan, I'm here within the "safety" of the United States but I can and have to pray for those who wish evil on all Christians and Americans, after all, Jesus commanded it.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty Six

I've been watching the news a lot for the past couple of days and I'm seeing a lot about a man in Iran who is set to be executed for turning from Islam to Jesus. Apparently he was given a "chance" to renounce his faith in Christ and turn back to Islam but he has refused. This man has a wife and children, yet he refused to save his life and is willingly giving it for the sake of the cross. I applaud him! His courage, his strength, and his depth of faith. I only hope that, if that ever happened to me, that I would have the same resolve. I love my family very much and would willingly give my life to spare theirs, but would I be willing to give my life for Christ? Yes, I have to be, or I'm living a lie. I fall so short of the glory of God in so many ways but my life is a gift from Him and I'm trying to live it for Him, and if necessary I'll die for Him.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty Five

I feel like a bit of a hypocrite. Yesterday I wrote about giving food to a girl who was panhandling, but I didn't write about how when I first saw her, I pulled up a little past her so I didn't have to look at her, or more importantly, have her look at me. You see, I didn't have any intentions of helping her, in fact, the first thing that came to my mind was "I wonder what she's strung out on". But something happened to me between turning at the light, and going into the store. The Holy Spirit convicted me! In less than thirty seconds, He turned my hard heart into what it should be; an obedient heart. He reminded me of my own words, spoken just a few short moments prior, and it convicted me. I hate the fact that my flesh wants to do everything for me, and nothing for my fellow man. I hate that any goodness or kindness in me isn't natural but has to be coerced out of me.
Romans 7:15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.
Yep, that's me, in a nutshell. I thank God daily for the Grace of Jesus. That He was willing to take my sin, my unholiness upon Himself and pay the penalty that I deserve to pay. That He freely gave this gift, asking for no payment but giving daily out of His abundance.
I hope and pray that He will continue to change me and make me more like Him.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty Four

This morning I went to my Tuesday morning bible study as I do almost every Tuesday. We have been going through the book of John which is a very powerful book. We read chapter 12:1-19, but we really got hung up on 4-8 for most of the study. For anyone who doesn't know, this part is where Judas Iscariot is criticizing Mary, the sister of Lazarus for pouring a jar of very expensive perfume (pure nard) on Jesus feet and wiping them with her hair. He (Judas) said that the perfume could have been sold and the money given to the poor. It goes on to say that he said this because he had charge of the money and was a thief, and regularly helped himself to the money.
The conversation that took place after that was primarily regarding money and the proper use of it for God's kingdom. The more they talked, the less control I seemed to be able to have. I couldn't keep it in, I had to make a statement about all of the money that I feel gets wasted on pomp and man's glory instead of helping those who truly need it. I think it kind of went over their heads, but that's OK, I said what I felt and now I feel a little better.

On the way home from the bible study I knew that I had to go to the store for a couple of things, and I thought I might pick up a CD for my wife (and me), but when I went to turn in to the store, I came across a young woman (maybe twenty or so) who was panhandling. I immediately knew what I had to do. I had to get her something to eat, and drink. How could I say what I said just twenty minutes prior and leave this girl out in the street without anything to eat, so I could get a CD? I got her a sub sandwich and a gallon of drinking water (not much, but filling) and a Gospel of John (ironic huh?). I'm not saying this so I can brag, or gain any glory, but that I can glorify Jesus. I also want to make the point that if I am going to call myself a follower of Christ, I have to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Today I was able to make a small step in the right direction, I just hope and pray that my pride and greed doesn't blind me or trip me up and hinder me in the future.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty Three

My wife and I have been tithing for about five years now. I'm not bragging or complaining, I'm just making the statement. There have been times when tithing was a hard choice, when we really could have used the money that we had set aside for the Lord's use for groceries or bills instead. I'm glad we didn't. Every time we've made that choice, the money has come back to us somehow. I never thought that I could afford to give around ten percent (Not exactly ten percent because I don't want to be legalistic) to anybody, let alone the Lord, but now I couldn't imagine not doing it.
However, I don't like thinking about the money (not just mine, but everybody's) just keeping the church mortgage, utilities, and grounds kept up. I know, there are more things paid out than just the few that I've mentioned, and some charity too, but I think you get the gist. We, and not just our church, but a lot of churches across the United States don't have to many people attending, and therefore are struggling just to keep the bills paid. There used to be a time when churches were always full and when they were able to serve the community like they're supposed to. I know that some churches are still able to, but a lot are chained down (just like the members) to big mortgages and other things that hinder the work of our Lord. So, what can be done to rectify the situation that the church has gotten herself into? How can we (not just my church, but the church) get ourselves out of this predicament?
Revelation 2:2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from it's place- unless you repent."
What is the church's first love? Jesus! What does He say we need to do?  Repent, and do the first works, which are to spread the gospel and baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to take care of the sick, the poor, the orphans, and the widows! He doesn't say to build big churches that get in the way of this. He doesn't say to have great big dinners where more food gets thrown away than eaten. He simply says to follow Him. I think that if we can do this, a great healing will take place in the church.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty Two

It's snowing here this evening and it's absolutely beautiful. Everything is covered in with the purest white I've ever seen, but it's as dingy as if had been driven on compared to the brilliance of Jesus! He is the bright Morning Star. I owe everything I am to Him! He has taken me from death to life and given me purpose, which is to serve Him. All I want is to do as He wants me to do but I find myself doing what I want to do more often. I can't seem live up to what I'm supposed to be, yet, He still loves, accepts, and best of all cleanses and forgives me. Ever since I chose to follow Jesus and was washed in His blood I (not by anything I have done but through His death and resurrection) am clean and pure like this beautiful white snow. I don't deserve it, I certainly didn't earn it and no matter how hard I try, I can't quite understand it but I'm so glad I chose to accept it! I hope and pray that the rest of this world would make the same choice.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty One

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! I love this verse! I love the entire psalm, but this verse fits into every aspect of life! If you feel sad, or happy. If you are overcome with grief. If you are sick or healthy, dieing or giving birth. No matter what, be still and know that He is God! Every thing that has been created, has been created by Him. He has dominion over EVERYTHING! Whatever happens in our lives that is huge to us is nothing but miniscule to Him, yet He is there to share in it and to be there for us for no other reason than Love. He knows every hair on our heads and the number of breaths we will take in our entire lives. He was there at our conception and will be there at our death, our God is awesome. I wish so badly that all who reject their loving creator would just be still, and know that He is God.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Fifty

Today at work, I ran came across a few customers who, when asked how they are doing answered "Blessed, and you?" Of course I answered "Me too!" I come across so many people who won't even speak (I hate that, I think I would almost rather be punched in the mouth than ignored) but these two ladies were different, they were full of the Holy Spirit and wanted to share Him with everyone who they came in contact with. I've spoken with both of these ladies before and they're always so sweet and kind. The first time I met one of them, I was feeling a little down and she asked me for some help reaching something (she was in a motorized scooter) and after I helped she said "God bless you" and went on her way. I could hear her a few isles over saying the same to everyone she came across. I got goosebumps and all my hair was standing up and I felt so overwhelmed with love and appreciation for her that I had to find her and tell her, so I did. She told me that she had just recovered from a stroke that had left her unable to walk (the doctors told her that she wouldn't ever be able to). She said God had blessed her so much because she could walk again, she laughed and said "it's ugly, but I can walk!) Those goosebumps came back and I felt my throat knot up and my eyes got a little wet and I just thanked her for her witness and walked away. The first time I met the other lady, she asked me how I was doing and I said "Blessed", and she got so happy, she lit up with joy and said "isn't great to be able to say that?" It is great to be able to say that! I know that this might be a little boring to read but these two old ladies really lifted my spirit and continue to every time I see them come shopping.
We never quite know the impact that just a few words can have on somebody. We also never know how much we're doing for the kingdom of God either. Just a few little words can change someone's entire day, and they can plant seeds that could grow into something marvelous!

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Forty Nine

I've been having a hard time writing anything lately. Some evenings it's a real struggle to do this. Sometimes, everything in me seems to say don't worry about it, God won't care if you skip a day. But I know this to be false. As I stated in an earlier blog, I feel as though I'm under conviction to write every day for a year, Satan knows that, and is trying to use anything he can to deceive me so I'll mess up. It's on these days that I really have to buckle down and write. Satan wants nothing more than to cause Gods people to do the worst thing possible. NOTHING! That's right, NOTHING! It's better to try a hundred times and fail a hundred times in our service to Jesus than it is to do nothing. Every time we sit on the couch or chair or whatever you sit on and talk about serving, but don't serve, we're just slapping the devil a big ole high five. There's an old saying that says, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." It's true! Whether failure to serve is the product of fear, or laziness, or an unfulfilled promise to do something for someone or whatever. I'm not saying that works get anybody to heaven, but I am saying that works are a byproduct of faith, and faith is what following Jesus is all about.
James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe- and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
I can't sit here and make claims of doing bunches and bunches for our Lord; that would be an outright lie. I can't say that I haven't broken promises to serve either, I have. But I can say I'm doing more than I used to, and hope to do more than I am. I can also say that, with the help of our Lord, I have been able to successfully write a little something (whether good or bad) and remove one of Satan's stumbling blocks! At least for tonight!

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Forty Eight

I have had a very long day and I'm really tired and a little sick. I'm having a hard time focusing on the monitor and on something to write about.... Maybe that's it, focus. I just need to focus on Jesus, and it won't matter if I'm tired or a little sick or what ever. It's all about Him. The larger He becomes in my life, the smaller I become, and the more I will focus on Him. Whether times are good, or bad, I need to focus. Whether I am happy, sad, or indifferent, I need to remain focused on Him. Peter lost focus, and almost drown. Mathew 15:28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
If I don't want to drown in the waves of this world, I need to stay in the word, I need to remain vigilant in prayer, I need to continually share the gospel, and I need to love my neighbors as Jesus loves me. I just need to stay focused.

The life and trials of a growing Christian - Day Forty Seven

Mathew 16:13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"14 So they said "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered and said, " You are the Christ, the son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven."
This is awesome, Peter has confessed Jesus as the Christ! There came a time in my life when I made that same confession and I haven't been the same since! The things that I used to love and not be able to go a day without I now despise. The attitude that I used to have is gone and has been changed into an attitude of love. An attitude of love doesn't mean that I'm super sweet to everybody, all the time or that I don't still get angry. I do, but I get angry at different things than I used to. I used to get angry when I didn't have any alcohol, but now I get angry about blatant sin and disregard for God, His word, and His people. I have a purpose now! I'm a child of the living God! I'm a servant and follower of Jesus! Just from that confession, (and baptism) a fire has started in my heart, mind, body and soul and it won't be extinguished!
There will come a time in every person's existence when they will make that confession too. I just hope it's not after they have left their earthly body. Hebrews 9:27 And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement.
Romans 14:11 For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every every tongue shall confess to God." 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Since my confession and baptism, I can't stand the thought of someone not making that same confession in life. It grieves me to think that people are so stubborn and willing to give themselves over to eternity in hell with out even a second thought.

The life and trials of a growing Christian - Day Forty Six

John 2:14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Fathers house a house of merchandise!"
I love this part of the account of Jesus' ministry. So many people think that He was just some weak, docile man (if you can call Him a man) and that He walked around like some hippie just loving and accepting every one and everything that they did, but He wasn't. Jesus spoke with and possessed the authority of the Father which gave Him dominion over all who lived. He didn't cower from anybody but told them where they were sinful. I'm not saying that we should go and point fingers at everybody for every little thing, but, if we see someone doing something that is in direct violation of God's word, aren't we responsible to make a moral judgement (not a judgement of the person, but of their actions) and tell them?

The life and trials of a growing Christian - Day Forty Five

I have a huge struggle going on inside of me. Often times, I feel very inferior to others, like I'm some little idiot who doesn't deserve their respect. It's been like this for a long time, as long as I can remember and I don't know what to do to change it. I was asked to lead one of our Tuesday morning bible studies and I automatically defaulted to my no setting. Not because I don't want to, but because, for some reason, I always feel terribly insecure when I get up in front of people, especially my fellow Christians. I'm not supposed to, I'm supposed to feel the most comfortable around them. I know that no matter what walk of life someone comes from God loves them and can use them for His glory. My struggle isn't just confined to speaking, I feel inadequate and incapable in many walks of life, from my abilities at work to my abilities to be a husband and father to unfortunately, my abilities to serve my Lord and Savior. I always feel like I'm not good enough. I have prayed for God to take this from me, but for some reason unbeknown to me, He hasn't yet. I say yet because I know that He can and I have faith that He will, but He does all things in His time, not mine.
I have two children (one who could possibly read this) and I don't want them to be like me, at least, not in this respect. I want for them to be strong, independent, courageous people who won't let life beat them down at every chance, and it will if they let it. I want for them to have a faith, knowledge, and wisdom of their Creator, and to stand on, and rely on Him for everything. Now, the question is, how am I going to help them to build a confidence if I don't have it myself? I guess the main thing I can tell them is to be themselves. I have lived a lot of my life trying be like other people and failing miserably. When I should have been learning who I am, I was trying to be who I thought everybody else wanted me to be. The truth is, I'm quirky, nerdy, and a little goofy. If my children can embrace who they are, maybe they'll have that confidence and strength that I am trying to find and build on.

The life and trials of a growing Christian - Day Forty Four

Today at the church I attend we said goodbye to one of our own, Mr. Ronnie Hall. My family has been a part of that church for about five years now and I can say that Ronnie and I rarely spoke much more than greetings to each other. If it were anybody else, I might be bothered about the lack of words, but that's just the way he was, he didn't talk much. He did a lot for the church and for some of the older members also, one lady comes to mind specifically. Today's service wasn't a funeral, but a memorial. Some songs were played and some of his family spoke and our interim pastor spoke. Everyone said the same things, he loved his family and he loved the Lord, and he was a hard worker. I don't think that anything better could be said about a man than those things. I don't have any doubt that Ronnie is with our Lord and Savior. There's an old expression that says "It's better to see a sermon than to hear one", Ronnie certainly showed one daily.

The life and trials of a growing Christian - Day Forty Three

Is it the role of the government to take care of the poor and impoverished? Is it the government's responsibility to take care of the elderly and widowed? No, it's the responsibility of the church, and we have been derelict in our duties for a long time now. I'm not saying that attempts aren't being made, but I think that so much in resources is being squandered on unnecessary comforts and stuff that just says "look at us, we're great and by the way, so is God." We build huge churches that couldn't possibly be filled, we have tremendous banquets and engorge ourselves with way more food than we should eat and on our way home we pass by poor, suffering people and say "I feel so bad for them, someone should really help them." That someone is me, it's you, it's anyone who is calling them self a servant of Jesus. Maybe we should quit worrying about big, grand, beautiful things and get back to what we've been called to do, SERVE.
Mathew 25:33 "And He will set the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left" 34 "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food ; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him , saying, Lord, when did We see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 or when did we see You sick , or in prison, and come to You? 40 And the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." 41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels."
It's our responsibility to take care of our fellow man, not the government's. If we don't want the government dictating to us what we're supposed to do, maybe we shouldn't let them take our place in the community, and they won't.

The life and trials of a growing Christian - Day Forty Two

What do you want me to write about Lord? I want to serve You with all of myself. I want to do what You will me to do. I want Lord, to be everything You have created me to be. Sometimes I feel as if I'm just flopping around like a fish out of water, and other times I feel like You're carrying me high above this world in Your arms. Tonight happens to be one of those nights that I feel like a fish out of water. I can't seem to feel Your presence all though I know You're here. Please guide me and help me to stay on Your paths. Help me not to be proud and stubborn, but to seek Your face and Your righteousness. Help me Father to understand Your purpose for me and to find and utilize the spiritual gifts in which You have blessed me with. Help me to have an understanding of those who I can't seem to understand, help me to share Your love with those who hate me. Help me to be the man that I so desperately want to be. You have blessed me with a wife and two children who love me, and I beg You to show me how to be the husband, father and leader of my family that You would have me to be. Help me to show the love of Christ to all who I come into contact with. Please show me how to serve You, and help me not to be afraid, help me not to become discouraged, but to remain diligent. In Jesus name, AMEN.

The life and trials of a growing Christian - Day Forty One

My mind has been going in all kinds of different directions today. I'll think of one thing, and then another, but nothing seems to stay in my mind long enough to take root. I have been pretty angry with the condition of the world for the past few days, (well, a lot longer than that really) and I still am but I don't want to be the guy that nag nag nags. But I'm just so frustrated that nobody seems to understand or agree with me, and I can't seem to be able to change anybodies mind. I feel like I'm talking and talking and hollering from the rooftops and nobody is hearing me! Isaiah 6:10 "Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed."
I feel like people's hearts are all twisted up and backward, that they have no love or reverence for their Creator.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call good evil, and evil good; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
I feel as if they just want to hear and believe what sounds good to them and turn their backs on what the Lord says. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
Some times I feel like just giving up and shaking the dust from my shoes but I just can't. I don't know when or if I'll ever be able to get through to someone but I know that if I don't keep hollering from that rooftop I'm sure to fail. It's time to get up, regroup, learn from my mistakes, keep doing what I'm doing right, stop doing what I'm doing wrong and continue serving Jesus.

The life and struggles of a growing Christian - Day Forty

Today has been a rough day. All of my recent ranting and raving has alienated me from some people, and while I don't like that this has happened I don't believe I have done anything wrong. Some have told me that I don't have any right to judge, or tell anybody that their going to hell, and I don't. I haven't told anybody that they are going to hell for any particular sin, there's no sin that God can't or won't forgive except Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Mathew 12:31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come."
So, I did speak out against some things that the Word of God also speaks out against, but for it to be interpreted as me condemning people couldn't be further from the truth. The only person who can condemn you is you. Not by any sin or combination of sins but by blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and of course, by not accepting the gift of salvation that is offered to every person that draws breath. I'm not a sinless person nor have I ever claimed to be, but that's what's so awesome about Jesus, He has still accepted me with all of my baggage and fault.

The life and trials of a growing Christian - Day Thirty Nine

Sometimes I get a little confused on how I'm supposed to be. I know that I have been called to serve the Lord. I know what is right and what is wrong, and there's a lot of wrong going on in society today. Every time I speak out about the evil that's going on, I get every finger pointed at me, calling me this or that, but what am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to idly sit by and watch the debauchery and the absolute evil that people are blindly  committing in the name of tolerance and political correctness? Am I supposed to just watch and listen to people belittling their maker and not say a word about it? I am so bothered by some of the things that go on day in and day out in this backward, self worshiping, pleasure seeking world that I don't know what to do! There are so many people who call themselves followers of Christ but they remain silent, as if they are in some little bubble that blocks out everything bad. I just wish people would speak up and stand up and be counted. Some will agree in a one on one situation and then, when it hits the fan, they remain stagnant like an old puddle, just sitting there stinking. Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting an unwinnable war that's just alienating me from everybody. Sometimes I feel like I might be wrong, and that I'm being a judgmental jerk like everyone says. Maybe my tactics are wrong. Maybe I need to soften up a little. Maybe the truth just hurts and people don't like having their toes stepped on. I think the last maybe is the correct one. When someone is told that they are committing or upholding sin, they tend to get terribly offended and then, the one bringing the message gets nailed to the wall. That's what happened to Jesus, John the baptist, all the apostles except John and almost all of the prophets. I guess that all of the angry reactions I'm getting is conformation that I'm going in the right direction.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Thirty Eight

Well, the super bowl is over and the trophy was walked down and given to the winner (the giants). I know they are proud, excited, and thrilled to have won the game, but the way they acted when this trophy was brought to them was just disgusting. They all had to touch it and kiss it as if it's something to be revered or worshiped. It's not, it's just a piece of metal, nothing more, nothing less. It was just sickening to see.
Exodus 20:4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image- any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God , am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Thirty Seven

I am a little perturbed this evening. I stated to somebody that I don't agree with homosexual marriage and I'm now labeled as a bigot. A bigot is somebody that treats a certain group or race with hatred or intolerance. If I disagree with someone's behavior or opinions, that doesn't mean that I hate them, it just means that I don't go along with that particular behavior or opinion. As homosexuality gets more and more accepted by the "mainstream" anybody who doesn't agree with it is going to be maliciously labeled as a bigot or something along those lines. Marriage has always been between a man and a woman and always should be. Even if you were to take out the fact that God calls homosexuality an abomination, two men or two women can't make a baby together, which is the main purpose of marriage. I have heard people compare homosexuality to being of a different race which is absolutely ludicrous. People can't choose what their race is, but they can choose who they have sex with.
I'm sorry if my beliefs are upsetting to anyone reading this. I truly don't hate anybody, no matter who they are or what their beliefs, but I just can't go along with something that I'm one hundred percent opposed to.

The life and trials of a growing Christian- Day Thirty Six

I've been working to get my garden ready for spring this week and I've been getting very excited as the days go by. I can't wait to start planting the frost tolerant veggies! (probably in a couple of weeks!) The more I think about planting those little seeds, the more I think about planting a much more important crop. You see, as a Christian, it's my job to plant all of the seeds for Christ that I can possibly plant. I don't have to tend the garden, I just have to plant it. The Holy Spirit will do all of the hard, sweaty work. There's no telling what seed is going to grow or what seed is going to be trampled or eaten, or scorched by the sun, but I just have to scatter it everywhere I go. How do I do that without force feeding Jesus down people's throats? The truth is, anytime Jesus is mentioned to some people, they get very defensive and automatically think that they are being force fed, no matter if  they are or aren't. I think that is a defense mechanism because the name Jesus scares people silly. That's OK, I'll just keep on planting. How do you plant seeds of Christ? You might ask. Just by bringing up the Lord every chance I can, or giving my testimony, or praising God when something good happens, or being seen in prayer, and offering to pray for people. The list can go on and on. Most of the time, I don't even know that I'm planting and that's the cool part. When you're a Christian, people look at everything you do and judge you according to what they see. If I go out of my way to help people, I'm planting, but if I'm mean or rude I'm just tearing up other seed that someone else has put down.
God, help me to do the best I can do for Your glory. Help me to be kind and patient and to do everything that I do out of love and a desire to serve You. In Jesus name, AMEN.

The life and struggles of a growing Christian- Day Thirty Five

As we draw closer and closer to the end of the week, and the next Lord's day, we are also coming closer to the super bowl. (which, of course, is on the next Lord's day) I have been hearing all kinds of people talking about the upcoming game, which in it's self is fine, but what about the Lord? Some people are planning on making an entire weekend out of the game and again I ask, what about the Lord? All that I see and hear on television and  radio is super bowl, super bowl, super bowl. How many people that normally go to a Sunday night church service will miss it in order to watch the game? My guess is quite a few. I would really love to see the exact opposite happen! How cool would it be to hear people talk all week about how excited they are to get the chance to worship Their Savior on the upcoming Sunday? I would love to go to work on Monday mornings and hear people talking about what scripture they talked about in Sunday school, or what their preacher's sermon was about, but unfortunately I won't. I'll hear about the game, the commercials, and who got drunk and did something stupid. How much better of a nation would we be if we quit worshiping sports and whatever else we stumble over and returned our allegiance to the one true God? I believe that unfortunately, our priorities are so mixed up that this won't happen. It's not just sports, it's music, money, food, and a variety of THINGS that get in the way (or we put them in the way) of the worship of our Lord. Anything that we put in the way of the Lord is what we make our god. The first commandment says Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before Me."
I'm not saying that we can't watch the game, or in my case, the second half because I'll be at church for the first half, but we shouldn't make it what we live for. God created us for Himself, He has given us the intelligence to come up with many THINGS to make life fun, comfortable and so on, but He does not intend for us to worship any created THING, but to worship Him, the creator of ALL.

The life and struggles of a growing Christian- Day Thirty Four

I have been thinking about my pastor and his wife today. They are in their seventies and have been married since they were sixteen. I don't know quite how long they've been married, but it's got to be close to sixty years. They have been through a lot together. They have raised three children and lost one of them to a heart attack. They have been tirelessly involved in the work of the Lord for fifty years. For the last eight years, she has had cancer. She has had both breasts removed and has been on numerous chemo treatments. The cancer has now spread to her brain and spine, and she is unable to walk. The doctor has said that sooner or later the cancer will kill her. I can see the love and hurt in the eyes of my pastor when he gives a report on her condition. I have only been married to my wife for five and a half years and I couldn't  imagine how it would feel to know that I was going to lose her. They have been together almost as long as they have been alive. My heart aches for him. He knows that she will be with the Lord when she goes, and I know he finds comfort in that, but what will he do without her? I think it's going to be a terribly lonely existence for him, one that, like her cancer won't heal. I also worry that he won't be able to talk to anybody about it. He's a pastor, people come to him with all of their burdens and troubles but who can he talk to? I really worry about him.