Cool Cat Christian Blog

What this Easter means to me

2012-04-07T11:12:00.000-04:00

KLATEN, CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA - APRIL 06: (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

There are times that transparency is enough to kill you or harm the things you love. There are times that God has to be the judge and we have to withhold the injustices done to us or our families from the public eye. It would be nice for those who should know that parts of the body of Christ are hurting to remember

"those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)

False teaching in the "church" is increasing and will continue to increase

The fact is that in the end times

"many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:10-13)

We know false prophets will increase and deceive many...

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Matthew 24:24 Mark 13:22 (NIV)

Not everyone who stands in a pulpit or dresses like a priest or says he/she is speaking from God is telling the truth...

"This is what the LORD Almighty says, ' Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD." (Jeremiah 23:16)

Many of these people who are false will be highly regarded by many...

"Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets." Luke 6:26

They will clandestinely introduce destructive views:

"...there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them..." (2 Peter 2:1)

It is very important when you hear a sermon, any sermon, that you open up your Bible and confirm what the person is saying is true. Rarely will their heresy be blatant - a little word here, a sentence there. Your eyes will prick up and you'll look to see if anyone else picked up on it. It doesn't matter if they heard it - you did. Don't just hope it will go away. It won't.

The chosen few aren't in the pew?

Beware of those who say that they are the only ones who are capable of interpreting scripture or "always know God's will" such people smack of cult and false teaching.

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1

Cults in Christianity?

In her Bible study, When Godly People Do Ungodly Things, Beth Moore talks about a dear friend who was lured into a cult that professed to practice like the church in Acts, however it turned out that the only thing they did in truth was pool finances along with

"man-induced legalism and bondage because the leaders interpreted Scripture for them. They were not encouraged to study the Bible for themselves." (p 90)

She goes on to say

"Keep in mind that any kind of mind manipulation that draws a believer away from his or her wholehearted, sincere, and pure devotion to Christ qualifies as a demonic seduction according to 2 Corinthians 11:2-3." (p 90)

Rules Don't Make you Right

Legalism was killing the church in Jesus' day and is still causes those who come to church to head running for the hills.

These people love having important jobs in church (Luke 11:43) and
being greeted with respect around town (Luke 11:43),
they make all these rules they pretend to follow to look good for everyone with trash on their DVD and web browser history (Matthew 23:27),
they pretend that they are giving out of love for God but really are motivated by greed and the tax write off (Matthew 23:25),
they're always in church but don't have time to visit their aging Mom in the nursing home or to treat their tenants fairly (Matthew 23:23),
they go put flowers on graves of those who have died but kill people with their words in a deacon's meeting or with their emails (Matthew 23:29) -
there is nothing new here. Arrogance, pride, greed have always been the hidden sins that erode a church's effectiveness from within the hearts of those in the pews.

It was power, greed, and arrogance that caused the Chief Priest of the temple in Jerusalem to say

"You do not realize that it is better for you that one many die for the people than the whole nation perish." (John 11:50)

They thought killing Jesus would save their church. It did, just not like they thought it would.

Good Friday, Really?

Yesterday was "Good Friday." But in my own heart, it didn't feel good at all. All I could feel is that Jesus was betrayed by his friends, by the people he made. Just think, he looked at the high priest and Pilate and could perhaps remember the days when He "created their inmost being and knit them together in their mother's womb." (Psalm 139:13)

I felt people clapping as their evil chants to "Crucify him" were granted. They were so happy that they got what they wanted! They thought they could save the church by killing someone and removing Him permanently from their synogogue. I felt the burning eyes of hatred burrowing into a good man who hadn't done anything wrong except speak the truth.

The church has always killed prophets and good men. Jesus said,

"Woe to you because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them." (Luke 11:47.)

The church still does. It is important to realize that when a church strays, as often happens when money and power coagulate, that your faith is in Christ not Christians. It must be a relationship with a Savior not a church.

The problem is that many sense that a church has gone off task and mission but just choose to stop going to church.

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

Abandoning church isn't the answer.

It would be nice to just join one church and know that you're set for your entire life. I wish it were so, trust me, with all my heart, I wish it was so! However, there are times that in order to follow God, we have to move away from our comfort zone. Abraham was led out, so was Moses, Paul, and even Jesus said "truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown." (Luke 4:24) For Jesus to be Jesus, he had to leave home.

I do not profess to be a prophet. I do profess Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and the greatest person I've ever known. He's there with me each morning and each afternoon. My relationship with Him transcends and exceeds all others.

A little over five years a go, I was told that blogging was evil. I should have known that was just the beginning of many other untrue things that I'd hear from the person who said this. Any medium on this planet can be used for good or for evil - to bless or to curse. Such church-lady-ish condemnation of something just because it is new caused book burning and now this. God needs all kinds of people, with many different talents:

"Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men." (Proverbs 22:29)

Anything I have, the credit goes to God. Tomorrow is Easter, it is a new day and a new beginning in many ways for me and my family.

We follow Christ - He doesn't follow us.

It isn't His job to rubber stamp everything we do with our lives and clean up the mess like the child who asked for an AK-47 for his birthday. There are times He doesn't give us what we ask for because He can see more deeply than we can imagine.

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

You see, Good Friday was the one day that God told Jesus, "No."

"Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 'My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Matthew 26:39

Because there is Easter, God told Jesus "No" for the greater good of mankind. And if Christ had to go through this, be told no, and did it for us, the much smaller, much less impactful "no's" of our lives must be respected as boundaries of love.

It is hard to imagine why that day is called "good." It is just awful what happened to Christ. His betrayal. His solitude. His pain. His separation. Unspeakable. Unfathomable. Every awful evil thing you've ever heard of - He took the blame for it. He's the reason that everyone from a serial killer to a nun can be forgiven of their sins. There are those who point to this as being unjust that serial killers shouldn't be put in the same category as a nun and that they shouldn't be forgiveable.

"All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

The injustice of it...an innocent man being blamed for child abuse, murder, gossip, overeating, pornography, drunkenness, adultery, everything on one man. What is good about that?

"He who knew no sin because sin for us, that we may be made the righteousness of God through Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

It was good because of what it did for us. Because now

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13)

I don't understand it. I claim it. I believe it. I realize that it makes me look foolish to many of my friends who are very smart in book knowledge.

"but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling bock to Jews and foollishness to Gentiles." 1 Corinthians 1:23
"for the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, an the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." 1 Corinthians 1:25

I don't know why I took the time today to write this. There are million other things to do right now. For me, perhaps moving past the pain of betrayal, hurt, agony, tears will take the path of my Savior. I will die to myself and everything that I want or ever wanted for my life to be reborn in a way that I never planned or comprehended would be in His path for me.

Sometimes in order to move ahead we have to move on as we follow Christ where he leads and not expect it to be the other way around.

Happy Easter! He is Risen!

Cross

2011-12-03T19:52:00.001-05:00

Cross

I go to the cross when I am alone
Jesus hold me as I groan.

I go to the cross when all is a loss
Jesus meet me near the cross.

I go to the cross when there is no hope
Jesus show me how to cope.

I go to the cross when there's no one to care
Jesus be my consult when life's not fair.

I also go to the cross when I laugh
when I smile, and when I dance
when I jump and when I'm up --
He's there in joy with a loving cup.

But the cross is where we go in pain
when we are close to death and life's no gain.

For He went to the cross all alone
He languished there as He groaned.

He went to the cross and counted all a loss
Jesus saved me near the cross.

He went to the cross as His friends lost hope
He helped a despondent thief to cope.

His best friends ran and didn't care
He didn't deserve to be there. It wasn't fair.

So when the world does these things to me
I'm there at the cross - in Divine company.

by Vicki Davis

Excellent Sermon Series on Grace from Max Lucado

2011-04-17T22:00:00.000-04:00

It has been a while but I know there are some of you out there that still follow this blog.

I wanted to pass along one of the best series of sermons I've ever seen from Max Lucado called "What Happens When Grace Happens."

http://oakhillschurch.com/media-2/

Kip and I are watching it on a box called the "Roku box" that streams from the web over our home wi-fi to our TV and we found Max Lucado there under Oak Hills Church.

My favorite sermon was "You Can Rest Now" and in the first 5-10 minutes my husband and I literally felt ourselves relaxing from the many burdens that we have been feeling. Kip went to sleep that night and slept like a baby. In this day and age of rules and regulations coming from so many sides and in the spirit of Easter - it is time to "get real." It is worth a watch. You can also subscribe over vimeo which I believe is available for the Ipad/ iPhone, etc.

Wait to Run -- then Run without being weary

2010-07-19T10:38:00.002-04:00

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

If we RUN under our own power we lose STRENGTH. Sometimes we have to wait to run until we are told to - it is then that we -- like the burning bush- burn without being consumed.

Part the Waters

2010-05-24T00:08:00.001-04:00

^13-14"If you watch your step on the Sabbath
   and don't use my holy day for personal advantage,
If you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy,
   God's holy day as a celebration,
If you honor it by refusing 'business as usual,'
   making money, running here and there—
Then you'll be free to enjoy God!
   Oh, I'll make you ride high and soar above it all.
I'll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob."
   Yes! God says so!

Isaiah 58:13-14

Isaiah 58 is on my fridge. This is my passage for the moment and this translation from the Message Bible is just great.

To me, the words describing what we should do on the Sabbath ring so true. Not using God's holy day for personal advantage. Treating His day as a day of Joy!

Not running here and there or working.

Truly the best Sundays are truly a "day of joy" and a "celebration."

I don't know about you but with the last week of school coming - I'd love to "ride high and soar above it all."

I love the example from the book I'm reading The Last Christian. It picture of cutting a stick off of a tree and then asking if it will grow now -- the only job of the branch is just to remain in the tree - rest in the tree. By being connected to the tree the branch naturally grows. By connecting to God we naturally grow - we fulfill our purpose, we LIVE!

Today, I just have to thank God for such a beautiful day and one with many blessings. He is truly the Light and the Life and the days focused on Him are the greatest days of my life. Purpose. Meaning. Joy.

These are not the same as happiness. These are not the same as being problem free. Right now - I'm praying for a Red-Sea week ! As the song from Selah based upon an older song says,

"When I think I'm going under, part the waters, Lord - when I feel the waves around me, calm the sea! When I cry for help, Oh hear me Lord and hold out your hand - touch my life - heal the raging storm in me!"

So, this week, I'm asking God to part the waters. Anything good that comes from the last week of school, God did it, because right now looking at my list I truly do feel I'm going under.

Goodnight! Good Savior! (And never mistake Christianity and following God for a political view - it is not! )

Be Available to Your Own Family

2010-05-08T08:34:00.000-04:00

Image via Wikipedia

“This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts.

What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families.

Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way. The God of glory will secure your passage." Isaiah 58:6-7

As I was studying my Bible this morning, I was struck by the highlighted part of the verse above. Sometimes I think we (I should say "I") get so busy doing good things that we neglect the one thing that we and only we can do -- be available to our families. Be there for them!

Give a present of your presence.

I feel this so much now that I have teenagers. Often they just want to be alone in their rooms. When they are not in the room, I feel it. I miss them. I want them there with me - it is almost a physical pain because I love them so much.

Do we as parents realize that our kids feel that way about us? When they are playing a game and we're not in the stands - they FEEL it. It is a longing when they do well to want you there to say "YES!" or when they don't for you to see it and understand!

This is hard for those of us who have a lot on our list and get focused on other things. Sometimes I find it hard to put down my list and "stop" especially when everyone else in my family has "stopped" a little too early in my opinion.

But this day, as I read this verse, I want to remind myself and whoever comes along this post that being available to my own family is put in the same league of goodness by God as "feeding the hungry, inviting the homeless into your homes and clothing the ill-clad." Is it possible that even in those days that parents didn't spend enough time with their children and each other.

So, as you go into the weekend, let's challenge each other to "be available to our family."

Read the whole chapter of Isaiah 58.

Still

2009-09-08T20:17:00.000-04:00

I have taken these lyrics and put them by my sink, at my desk, and in my journal.

"Be still, my soul,

The Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to your God, to order and provide.
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul,
Your best your heavenly friend, 
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul,
Your God will undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake.
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul,
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.

Be still, my soul,
Be still, my soul,
Be still."

I haven't blogged here in a while because sometimes struggles are too

personal and yet even with the silence of this blog, it doesn't really matter -

any time you want to hear from God - you can open His Word.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased
to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and anything good I have goes to Him.

This blog may be still.  He's not.

Bible Study and my Itouch

2009-03-27T07:45:00.001-04:00

I love my new Apple iPod touch 16 GB (2nd Generation), it is so cool.

And yet, it has improved my life in so many ways. Not only have I lost 14 pounds using the really cool Lose It app, but it is part of my Bible study and Sunday school lesson.

There is a Bible app that has multiple translations of the Bible. I often use it as part of studying my Sunday school lesson.

Also, as I do my Beth Moore Bible Study, Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent, Member Book, I can now buy the lessons that come every five days for $3.99. That may sound like a lot, but it lets me spread the cost out a little and it is far less expensive than the video version. I listen as I walk on the treadmill and every so often for my morning study and fill in the blanks.

I also have several books on my itouch including Believing God (also by Beth Moore) -- see a pattern there, but also many other great books like The Last Lion Part B: Winston Spencer Churchill, Alone, 1932-1940.

So, the last book, on Churchill costs $120 on Amazon in audio tape and you cannot seem to get it in print. I pay around $20 a month for a subscription to Audible.com and get 4 credits a month - I got the Churchill book for 2 credits. If you have an itouch, Audible is really the way to go. (Too bad, Beth Moore's lessons aren't available there, so I have to buy them from Itunes. But that is ok, it is worth it.)

For me, as a Sunday School teacher and person who is usually leading, it is vital that I study under someone. It is important so that I can help others, to get up every morning and study my own Bible. Have to learn and seek God.

My Itouch has been a great tool and really in the running for my all time favorite gadget of my life. It is not nearly as expensive as an Iphone, which I hear is a terrible phone anyway, and it works very well.

I recommended it to our youth pastor because of some of the really cool features:

Set it up to sync with google Calendars - it will link up to 5. You can have some of those calendars as public calendars and embed them in websites. Then, when you put a date on one of your public calendars, it automatically publishes onto your website -- perfect for youth.
You can use Nimbuzz to instant message from your itouch -- it is important to IM if you work with youth.
You can link to facebook and twitter on your itouch as well.
It lets you keep up on those emails that come in all the time.
It makes you cool. ;-)

What to do when I don't fit in

2009-03-26T22:10:00.000-04:00

Today's Bible Study for me this morning, Psalm 124:

" ¹ If the LORD had not been on our side—
    let Israel say—
    ² If the LORD had not been on our side ^(A)
    when men attacked us, ^(B)
    ³ then they would have swallowed us alive
    in their burning anger against us. ^(C)
    ⁴ Then the waters would have engulfed us;
    the torrent would have swept over us;
    ⁵ the raging waters would have swept over us. ^(D)
    ⁶ Praise the LORD,
    who has not let us be ripped apart by their teeth. ^(E)
    ⁷ We have escaped like a bird from the hunter's net;
    the net is torn, and we have escaped. ^(F)
    ⁸ Our help is in the name of the LORD,
    the Maker of heaven and earth. ^(G)"

I've been enjoying Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent, Member Book, another delightful study from Beth Moore. This Psalm really speaks to me and the struggles of late. I'm the type of person who likes and gets along with most people, so when people are unkind to me or just plain spiteful, it is sort of the response as if a baby kitten had suddenly had a cup of milk from the counter fall on her head.

So, after spending the better part of two sitcoms with my face to the couch with tears in my eyes, I'm back upright blogging this for some strange reason, leaning against the wet cushion that has been my repose.

You know, I could have pity parties and whine about how I'm mistreated. But, as I was walking back to my classroom after lunch, I saw this Psalm clearly in my mind, then, I saw Jesus surrounded by the teachers of the law trying to find fault with him. He didn't deserve it.

Beth says in the study on p 54:

"We must let God open our eyes to the reality that we have a powerful enemy who- let me say this clearly - absolutely hates us...

We who belong to Christ are not imagining that we have an enemy who hates us. We do. We also don't have to wonder why. Satan hates us because God loves us...

The closest he can come to hurting God is to hurt one of His children."

To me, the hardest thing to understand is pure, unadulterated hatred from another person. I know that I as a person am so far from perfect--I get so mad at my own faults -- the way I forget things, the way I repeat myself, how I can get so focused on a task that I'm insensitive or just clueless to the needs of others. I'm a geek and use big words that scare people. I could go on. But, to me, every human on this earth is made by God and worthy of respect. I may not like them, but God loves them as equally as He loves me. He loves each of us.

But something stuck with me as the study moved over to Romans 8:28-39. She asked us to fill in the blanks as if these verses are a personal message to me and here is what I wrote based upon the passage of Romans:

My child, Vicki. (put your name there)

I will make sure all things work together for your good.
I will make you look like my Son, Jesus.
I will give you a calling, justify and glorify you.
I will always be for you as proven by the sacrifice of my Son.
I will make you more than a conqueror - you are made to triumph.
I will love you and nothing, ever, anywhere will ever keep me from loving you or separate you from my love.

Love, God.

So, today I was in an unguarded moment and misspoke and was quickly taken down for it both then and later. Besides beating up on myself, I was reminded and rebuked for my misstatement.

And so, I have been crying on the couch.

And yet, again, the part that stuck out was "justify and glorify you" which came from Romans 8:30:

"³⁰And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."

I need to feel justified. Not justified in my feelings, but to know that somehow, someway, my God will justify me. I know in my heart that no ill intent was meant nor implied today. I feel like I should run and hide. Already I try to make myself NOT speak up every chance I can, however, God has called me and one day He will justify me. Really, I don't want to be glorified and know that I don't deserve it. But to be justified. To be accepted and loved for who I am by the God who made me. That is enough.

The biggest problem with me in this small town is that I am really pretty geeky. I don't mean to be. So many times I've wished I could just fit in. But I don't. I'm the pyramid that doesn't fit in the round hole!

So, sometimes I have to cry about it. And yet, when I cry about it, I recall the last time I felt this down about being a geek. It was January 2000, the month before my hometown was struck by horrible tornadoes. When the tornadoes struck, I felt God tell me that he called me out for the purpose. He used my geekiness to do some technological things that really did benefit my hometown. It was one of the greatest joys of my life. I knew I was here for a reason. My husband and I staying and living here was justified. God was glorified, and yes, we were too in many ways.

So now, again, I'm feeling this horrible feeling of "why on earth am I here. I don't fit in at all." My heart is broken but it is OK. This is my version of Psalm 124 that is my comfort:

"Oh, God, If you hadn't been on my side!
If you hadn't been on my side, my God, when I was under attack
      They would have eaten me alive in venomous hatred!
The water would have drowned me
      I would have sunk and washed away in the flood.
Praise God! You saved me from their vicious bite!
You have freed me from the net of those who try to trap me.
Even when I am caught in their net-trap
     See! The net is torn and I got away! Because of you!!!

My help is in your name, the name of the God who covenanted with me in His blood,
    the maker of heaven and earth
    and the One who saves me in countless ways from the roaring lion
    who hates all God's children!

Praise to the deliverer, my Deliverer, my God, my Christ!"

And there, I rest all of my hopes.

When dreams die

2009-01-05T07:51:00.001-05:00

"There is many a thing which the world calls disappointment, but there is no such a word in the dictionary of faith. What to others are disappointments are to believers intimations of the way of God." John Newton

We all have dreams. When we get married to prince or princess charming, they are (almost) perfect in every way. The Cinderella story is ours and ours alone and we will dance through life with our feet barely touching the ground. And then one day we wake up and realize that we've married a human being who isn't perfect and has hurt or disappointed us. That is the way it is with dreams.

People dream of fame. Then they crumble under the flash of the paparazzi. People dream of money. Then they lay awake at night figuring out what to do with it and wondering if those around them like them or their money more!

Dreams are never what they seem. But one thing is for sure, when the dream bubble bursts and we are faced with reality, we should cling to fellow Christians.

Carl G. Conner tells this story:

"A few winters a go, heavy snows hit North Carolina. Following a wet, six-inch snowfall, it was interesting to see the effect along Interstate 40.

Next to the highway stood several large groves of tall, young pine trees. The branches were bowed down with the heavy snow- so low that branches from one tree were often leaning against the trunk or branches of another.

Where trees stood alone, however, the effect of the heavy snow was different. The branches had become heavier, but without the other trees to lean against, the branches snapped. They lay on the ground, dark and alone in the cold snow.

When the storms of life hit, we need to be standing close to other Christians. The closer we stand, the more we will be able to hold up."

We must also remember, that our greatest support is Jesus Christ. Even though we may feel alone, He and other Christians can help us stay up when our burden is too heavy to bear.

Does Jesus still heal?

2009-01-04T06:22:00.002-05:00

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him;
to all who call on Him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
He hears their cry and saves them."
Psalm 145:17-18

As we struggle in my family with the aging and health difficulties of some we love so dearly, I've been thinking about Jesus' habit of healing.

Jesus while He was here on earth, healed many to honor God. But we must remember, when those he healed came to their time to die, they eventually did. None was healed permanently and even Lazarus died again.

Some don't want to believe in God because they say "he doesn't heal." Well,He does! I know people all around me who should have died years a go, but didn't. Fully recovered cancer patients, mothers who became sick when their kids were elementary and lived to see their children graduate. People who were supposed to live six months and lived yeras.

What we are really saying when we complain about God's healing is that we're angry that death is still around - stealing those we love and causing tragedies we cannot understand.

"Why is there death?" is really our question -- as if healing could put an indeterminable stop to the encroaching pallor of death.

Well, Jesus is the One who DID conquer it and it is clear that it is the path of a Christian to die but once.

I birthed three children and had to walk through that path, three, separate, distinct times. But I will only hve to die but once (unless Jesus comes back first.) I WILL have to die, when it is my time.

We are angry at God about death, when death wasn't in His plan to begin with. Death was chosen for us by our ancestors who rejected God and thought they knew better than Him. Death is confirmed by us when with the apple of our hearts we bit at the tempation of lies that we think we know better than God: overeating, lusting, being jealous, gossiping, hurting others, being angry, not forgiving -- these are the things that give us common identity with our forebearers and confirm that indeed our flesh is corrupt and deserves to die... but only once if we are a Crhsitian.

For, if we are a Christian, we will have a new body that is not corrupt. It will be a glorified one without traces of innate sin but will allow us to more closely identify with Jesus.

If one is not in Christ, they have no new body, only the old corruptible one and therefore must spend eternity with their corrupt, inadequate body, separated from the God who gave them a chance! Such sadness!

The God who heals does heal. he heals us in life. He heals us after death so we may live eternally with him.

All the while being criticized by these ants He has created and elevated to call friends, brothers, and sisters! Oh, God is a tremendous God and One we cannot understand!

But know this. He still heals!

Will you be nothing so God can do something?

2009-01-03T08:59:00.002-05:00

When we look at David, we remember that he was a man after God's own heart. We remember that he sang beautifully and that he killed Goliath. We remember that he sinned with Bathsheeba and that he was pentinent and restored.

But do we remember his origins?

David was the youngest. Not an esteemed position at all. In fact, when he was hiding from Saul, he used as an excuse to miss the feast (where Saul planned to kill him),

"...our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there..." (1 Samuel 20:29)

So, David was low and nothing. In fact, his job was to watch the sheep and he was such a nonentity that when Samuel came to Jesse's house, David was not even called to be considered.

"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered,"but he is tending the sheep." 1 Samuel 16:11

Interestingly, when the Israelites went to fight the Philistines, David was still tending sheep. Perhaps his own family discounted the anointing of Samuel? Perhaps they thought Samuel was "losing it" and were just patronizing him. Anyway, the only way David could "get in on the action" and be able to get on the front lines was to serve as the delivery boy -- he took bread and gave cheese to his brother's commander. (1 Samuel 17:17-18)

So, David wouldn't have even gotten to be at the front if he wasn't willing to deliver cheese. Not exactly an esteemed position, huh?

When we're at the right place at the right time, God uses us. But sometimes in order to get to the right place we must be willing to do unpleasant jobs. We must be willing to subject ourselves to our authority.

We must be willing to deliver cheese!

This reminds me of another person who changed the world:

"and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inn." (Luke 2:7)

Are you willing to be nothing so God can do something with you?

Tackling Tough Times Together

2009-01-02T01:00:00.002-05:00

So, as I've shared my backyard experiences, I've shared Gardenias in the Garbage, Moving Messes, and Today, I'm sharing about Tackling Tough Times Together.

When Mama was diagnosed with cancer this past October, it was a tough time. As we prepared to go to Atlanta for her surgery, my sister called Mom and said this:

"Mom, we don't know where this path will lead - it could go down one of two roads. But whichever road we travel, we're going down this road together as a family."

We labored in prayer together. Mama went in front of the church and asked for prayer according to what God's word says to do. She DOESN'T like to be in front of the church!

The thing about praying is that God says that we must pray but then totally, truly be willing to accept God's will. As Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, he BEGGED God to let there be another way, another path - and yet, He said, "Not my will but thine."

And God said no to him. (See my 2006 post "When God Told Jesus 'No!'")

So, we love Mama! We love her so much! And yet, we must love God more than our own parents and so, with our gutts completely torn out (both hers and ours) we had to say, "not my will but thine."

Huddled together like scared children at the feet of a powerful king, we clung. We clung to God and his word and promises that

"Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.""

Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Joshua 23:8
But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.

Hold fast -- cling. Listen. Know that He will be with us. That is all we could do.

This was like when Kip and I and the kids worked in the yard. One of us would be pulling and pulling on a big old tree. It wouldn't come loose. Too many vines. Too much mess! No way!

And yet, if one or even better two of us, grasped a different place in the tree and we pulled together, it would come out like a toothpick stuck in wet soap. Boy, it became MUCH easier.

"Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Ecclesiastes 4:12
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken

God said in Genesis

Genesis 2:18
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

While ultimately when we pass through the shadow of death - it is US and our God -- together -- while here on this earth we need each other. We cling to God first but when the tough times come, we pull together.

When you have problems in life, you and your family have two choices: pull together or pull apart.

So often when struggles come there is blame. Finger pointing. Whining. Fussing.

Why do children totally mess up their parent's legacy by fighting over what their parents leave behind? What is more important, the legacy of their parents or the money that they can add to their account?

When my husband's parents died, he got some things that he wanted and other things went to other brothers. But the things were not what was important -- Kip may have relinquished the call for THINGS but he kept HIS BROTHERS.

When Mom had her surgery and was awaiting being taken back - they only let two go back - we have three sisters. We laughed, worked it out and all jostled over Mom, but, we KEPT our sisters. We loved each other through it. The last thing we needed was for us to fuss and get upset and upset our mother.

And when we got the news on December fourth. Oh, the news! The news that were far beyond what we could ask or imagine. The news that meant that Mama would be our present for Christmas. She would not be racked and riddled with chemotherapy or spend the holiday in some cold hospital - she would be our warm, living breathing present - still sore from the surgery but THERE.

I asked her to wear a bow on her head to represent that God in his infinite wisdom and most humbling mercy of all mercies decided to give us Mama back. The cancer was completely gone - nothing left - no chemo, no radiation. Just healing mercy.

Oh, so many prayers have gone up for so many people and it was their time to be called home to heaven. We do not our would not presume that the prayers of their families were any less sincere or that ours were any more "holy" for there is NOTHING holy about us! God has blessed us and we are grateful.

So, what I've learned is that when the rough winds blow - God means for us to tackle those though times together.

We aren't meant to be alone and even if and when we are - we are still not alone - we have our triple braided cord that cannot break holding the threads of our very soul from being wiped into nonexistence: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are held in a net of LOVE, compassion and caring that we cannot understand but cannot escape if we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Oh, to be loved in this way is truly the greatest joy!

So, as you deal with the stickers and brambles of life - PULL TOGETHER. Stick together. Love. Cling to your God and to those God has given you to move through life with. Do not pull a part - pull together.

Moving Messes

2009-01-01T00:00:00.001-05:00

So, yesterday, I shared the first part of the things I learned in the backyard: Gardenias in the Garbage. When sin takes over and obliterates the things that make have made is beautiful or we have enjoyed in the past, God can help restore and "do a new work" in us.

Today, is the second part of what I learned. As I shared yesterday, this is what I observed:

As Kip and I furiously cut branches and trees out of the yard, the children were dragging them to the road. Well, my oldest couldn't get the gate open, so he took a shortcut and tossed the big trees over the fence. He plays football and so, he's strong enough.

Well, my daughter and seven year old son came along and they couldn't get it over the fence, so they threw it on top of the fence, beside the fence, between the barbs of the fence. The branches didn't make it to the weed pile for the city to remove and in fact, made a big tangled mess at least 20 feet wide!

This went on for a good hour before Kip and I found out! Then, whew, was I upset! Kip needed me to help pull these nasty trees out of the brush and I had to go figure out what on earth to do with the mess at the road. It was harder to undo the second mess of branches that were not disposed of properly than the work I was doing with Kip.

The kids were fuming, I was fuming, we were all upset. After 30 minutes and a lot of very hard work, we cleared the path, made sure it wasn't in the road, and got the branches in order. We also pried open the gate and made a path so that the future branches would be disposed of properly.

Moving Messes

It is about taking care of a mess the right way the first time. For example, right now I have some people that I need to forgive. In fact, I'm down right angry and have let myself teeter on the verge of bitterness at work.

Now, if I'm a Christian and they are not - is there any reason for them to be kind to me? And if I'm ugly right back, how am I sharing any faith of any kind -- I'm just like them.

As Beth Moore says in the Esther study I quoted yesterday,

"It's tough being a woman in a mean world...You and I are learning that we have to deal with our mean streak every time it rears its ugly head. If we don't, "mean" won't just streak. It will stick." (p 59, Esther Member Book: It's Tough Being a Woman)

Boy, that hit me!

So, how could I deal with this forgiveness issue the wrong way? Well, here are a couple that I have certainly tried before:

Out of sight out of mind - If I don't see them for a while and don't feel the emotion of anger, I think I've forgiven them. I sweep it "under the rug" and think it is handled.

The problem with this when it happens is that as soon as I see them, "Boom" I'm furious again and haven't braced myself for how I should act.
Move it out with Motivation - Oh, the world is full of books to "deal" with difficult people - to positive think my way out of frustration and anger with people. If I just THINK about it, I can "forgive" the people who have wounded and crushed me.

Oh, if it were only that easy.
Call the Waaaa-mbulance and Take a Bitter Pill- This is the one I've struggled with lately. Some of the situations I'm in right now are completely unfair to me. They are. So, I've found a few people who "understand" and will listen. I deal with the issues at hand, but turn around to spill my gutts to my trusted few confidants.

This DOES NOT WORK!!! This has made my confidants bitter against these people AND I have become bitter too. It is harder for me now, not easier! I've whined myself into bitterness! I have whined them into bitterness! Instead of forgiving like I should have, I've been selfish and now those I love have to forgive too! How wrong of me!

So, in this case - as I struggle with forgiving - I've been moving messes around. As you can see, instead of dealing with the first mess the RIGHT WAY - I've made worse and bigger messes by not doing things the RIGHT WAY.

And GOD'S WAY is the RIGHT WAY!!! He knows how to deal with messes the first time!

Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Matthew 18
"

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" 22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.^[f]
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents^[g] was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.^[h] He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.""

So, I am to forgive from my heart. It's gotta be the real deal -- and that ONLY comes through prayer because I don't have it in me to do this! I'm not there yet, but these other unhealthy ways of dealing with it have gotta go- they are making it worse!

This is why it is SOO important to study God's word. All of us have our own unique set of weeds - our own unique messes. God has a word for you that is different from me.

I love how Beth Moore always talks about how she doesn't want people to JUST study her lessons. The BIBLE is God's word, period. That is where you will find your answers and where we must always seek to find them.

So, as you struggle with the sins in your life, whatever they may be: overeating, unforgiveness, temptation, greed, jealousy, bitterness...

when you feel that prompting in your heart that you are messing up and need to clean it up - understand this:

Clean up the mess the right way the first time by applying the clean up prescription in God's word or it is very likely you are just moving your mess and multiplying it in the process!

This is important as we look at our "resolutions" for the new year!! You know where your messes are and most likely, you're setting a resolution right about now! Be careful that your resolution isn't a manmade prescription that will just move your mess around. Take some time to see what God would have you do about the messes in your life and REALLY do something about them for a change!

Tomorrow we'll talk about the third lesson from my Big Old Backyard Mess Parable: Tackling Tough Times Together

Gardenias in the Garbage

2008-12-31T02:27:00.000-05:00

Image by nettsu via FlickrMy mistake tonight was having that white chocolate mocha at 8:30 pm!! So, I'm up and just balanced my checking account and it is 2:27 pm with Storm Chasers on the TV. (people who chase tornadoes)

I've been doing this amazing Bible study on Esther (see Esther Member Book: It's Tough Being a Woman) by Beth Moore which is just a great inspiration to me. It is a nine week study, and I bought it this past Saturday and am already on week 3!!

For those of you who know me and follow me here, this is the place I ponder and share thoughts about our wonderful Savior separate from the Cool Cat Teacher blog where I talk about technology, teaching and loving students, being a great teacher, and inspiration to do better. Sometimes I just have to get away from "there" to talk and share the amazing things God is doing in my life in more specific ways.

Today, I saw a living picture of what I do and what I think many do when living life.

"Big Ole' Backyard Mess" Parable

Today my family and I were cleaning up in the back yard which hasn't been cleaned in a LONG time. So, little trees that should have been tiny sticks were really large trees. They were intertwined with vines and weeds and it is a total mess!!

So, as we were pulling and yanking these horrible trees to save the bushes that were there, a few things happened:

My beautiful gardenia bush that I've enjoyed forever was accidentally cut by my dear husband and is now gone!
The kids drug the branches to the road and instead of dragging them outside the fence, made an enormous tangled mess on both sides of the fence that took over 30 minutes to undo. If they had only done it right the first time!
Sometimes the things that wouldn't budge suddenly moved when we did it together.

So, here is what I feel God taught me through this experience today.

Gardenias in the Garbage

1) When we let sin in our lives like bad attitudes, fussiness, overeating, sexual sin... really about anything - sometimes the beautiful things about ourselves are obliterated as we work to clean up that sin. Like my gardenia bush!

For example, although I was SOOOOO physically fit about 2 1/2 years a go, I have let myself go and gained 50 pounds. Yes, I said it! 50 pounds! Yes, I have three kids in middle school and I'm 39, but my lovely figure and clothes are gone.

We are to take care of our temple, this body. I've been suffering from lack of energy and total exhaustion, but it is that I haven't made this a priority! I also find it interesting that often the closer I am to God, the better I take care of my body - the more likely I am to exercise. This Christmas I scheduled NOTHING, I mean nothing! No deadlines - nothing to have to do for anyone and it is my first time in two years to sit, clean the house, mess around with Kip and just relax. I can see clearly what I've done to myself.

I won't go into HOW I'm doing this right now, but for some time I've been pouring out my heart to God over this. So, since Christmas, I'm four pounds down and working out again. My heart is ready for a lifestyle change and I'm excited!

Because, God can give back the years the locusts have eaten. And sometimes trees that are cut off at the roots can sprout back from the roots. It happens. It will take several years if that gardenia bush is going to come back and it will take several years for me become restored to the size 8 I was, but it can happen!

To me, this resonates with what Beth Moore talks about in week 1 of the Esther study:

"It is tough being a woman in another woman's shadow." (p 9)

Sometimes that other woman is myself several years a go.

And sometimes that is the hardest shadow to be in.

I was very hurt some time a go when I was told,

"wow, you really lost weight a while back"

and then they looked at me like

"OK, and why don't you do it now."

How people treat me is so different -- it is tough. So much for the beauty queen, Georgia Peanut Princess of 1987!

And yet, I'm blessed with a husband who loves me anyway and a God who can help me get back on track. In order to live life and last so that I can minister, my body must be in shape. I cannot mourn for what used to be. The gardenia bush is in the garbage, and yet, the roots remain and with attention, water, and some divine intervention, I believe it can grow back in a different way but the beauty and fragrance CAN be restored.

“This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”- Isaiah 43:16, 18-19

Stay tuned tomorrow for the next part of this backyard parable: Moving Messes

Prevailing against the prevailing winds

2008-12-10T01:54:00.000-05:00

God is so good to me. I am up late, though, just with thoughts and some things going on. However, after going through this amazing Beth Moore study, Breaking Free, it has been very clear to me that I have to remove the lies that jump into my thought life... about myself... circumstances, etc. with the truths from God's word.

Every day of my life I relive middle school. Isn't that ridiculous? That kids could be so mean and pick on me and I carry that with me. In many ways, knowing that God loves me and made me like I am helps me have the confidence to live life, but it is in the toughest days of my life that I hear the cries of the past, "you're ugly" "you have no common sense" "icky Vicki" ... "no one likes you."

I have to live with that. And yet, David, Moses, and so many great people of the bible were not only sinners, like me, but also had their share of people who didn't like them at all!

AS a result of the Bible study, I've gone back to putting the scriptures that I need to use to reprogram my mind with God's word. I was upset about some things and walked into the kitchen in a very rare case of insominia and this verse I had put by the sink jumped out at me:

"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:15

When I feel misunderstood, not supported, made fun of and just down, I go back to this. It is not my job to justify myself. And honestly, if people know the things I do, then I'm not supposed to get those rewards in heaven.

It has been so humbling for some period of time to come face to face with my own insufficiency. Insufficient to parent, clean the house, manage the huge responsibility list at work, and just keep things running. I literally cannot do it all without my Lord and Savior.

He is my Best Friend and wisest Counselor. He NEVER leaves me and will never forsake me. Even my family will misunderstand me sometimes but He never does. I just need his help right now and every day.

To me, the sin of youth is pride. Now, the sin of getting older seems to be the temptation to become bitter. I have to forgive and forgive but that is because I need to be forgiven myself. Sometimes I feel like I have 1,000 wounds upon 1,000 hurts and yet, I also know that my feelings can lead me astray. It is only by aligning my thoughts up with His promises that I can know that it is my heritage that I will be vindicated where necessary and sometimes I have to be humbled when I'm out of line.

Sometimes we must go against the prevailing winds but it is only done through HIs power and ability. And now, it is 2 am and time for me to go to sleep. He Who Knows My Name will guard my sleep and give wisdom and hope for tomorrow. He accepts me, He loves me, and does not reject me.

I loves me and made me for a purpose, even if that purpose means that I do not fit in very well most of the time.

On a great note, I get to meet some missionsaries from West Africa who've been on my prayer list for a long time. They are my heroes. While I stress about little things here, she stresses while he goes into the bush to witness to Muslim tribesman, not knowing if someone will kill him and he will return. I'm so excited about meeting them! Living heroes!

Wisdom for the Asking

2008-09-24T22:25:00.000-04:00

"Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance." Ecclesiastes 8:1

Where does wisdom come from?

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." James 1:5-8

Wisdom can change our lives but it is not one of those things that we should just wish that we can have. It is not some unattainable thing we should wish we have. It is something we can ask for and seek, having faith that God indeed is the granter of wisdom.

I need wisdom!

I've been sick this week and don't feel like I'm myself, however, even in these circumstances, I can seek God's wisdom and ask Him to guide and give me wisdom amidst the sickness. God can work through weakness.

Don't be a Dead Sea

2008-09-23T16:00:00.000-04:00

The Dead Sea takes in water but there is no outlet to the sea. Thus, it is salty, bitter, and generally just... dead.

People who are a dead sea are always taking, using up things and become bitter.

Dead Sea people never give anything to another person and never share.

There is no, "here let me show you," but only "let me take from you."

Dead Sea people suck the life out of others. They sit in classes, church, Sunday School and never give back anything but bitterness.

Don't be a Dead Sea.

The Dead Sea is benign but still harmful -- I could see an ancient famished traveler running to the beautiful blue shores thirsting for a drink with a horrible mouth full of salty, bitter nastiness. No fish to cook, no water to drink. Just a deceptive body of water masquerading as an oasis that provides no sustenance for life.

What are you? Live or Dead?

"But I call to God, and the Lord saves me." Psalm 55:16

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall." Psalm 55:22

You have two choices: get bitter or get better.

The unwise, selfish Leader

2008-09-23T05:45:00.000-04:00

The last few days, I've been writing about leadership, largely because I'm struggling with followership. So, today, we look at God's word when dealing with a leader who is unwise and selfish and is bringing harm upon those he leads: Nabal is a perfect example of this, although there are others.

When dealing with our leaders, particularly Christian leaders, we have to be very careful to seek God's word because they are called and appointed by God (see the last blog post.)

1 Samuel 25:3-4 introduces us to Nabal:

2 A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3 His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings.

He was very wealthy, but surly and mean. He is ungracious and unthankful for what others give to him or do for him. As we see, Nabal was having a great shearing time, but there was a reason, although he didn't know it, David and his men had been guarding the sheep and his shepherds for the entire season! Surely David should reap some of the reward in Nabal's work. Back to 1 Samuel 25:

4 While David was in the desert, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, "Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. 6 Say to him: 'Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!

7 " 'Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. 8 Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my young men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.' "

9 When David's men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David's name. Then they waited.

10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"

12 David's men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word.

13 David said to his men, "Put on your swords!" So they put on their swords, and David put on his. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

So, David was angry! My Grandaddy Martin would have called Nabal "an unthankful son of a gun." (I used to always wonder what a son of a gun was!)

So, David, in an act uncharacteristic of him, was angry and set out to exact his revenge.

Now, let's look at Abigail. She is Nabal's wife and "wise and intelligent," she obviously cannot just grab everything and run, but feels a responsibility to protect all of the innocent people and animals who are about to suffer with their lives for Nabal's horrible leadership and watchcare over his people.

But notice this, Nabal has done something right -- he is very rich and has prospered! Many people would wonder where God's justice was, letting a horrible man like that succeed, and we may wonder it as well. As you'll find out, Nabal has his justice coming, although with harsh, unkind leaders such as him, it doesn't always happen:

So, someone takes this to Abigail:

14 One of the servants told Nabal's wife Abigail: "David sent messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. 16 Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. 17 Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.

This last verse is highlighted for a reason. I know leaders that are so far off the path that NO ONE WILL TALK TO THEM.

Some leaders see complaints as a terrible curse and wish they'd go away. But complaints are a part of life. Instead, I tell leaders, WATCH OUT WHEN NO ONE COMPLAINS. For, when they stop complaining, they've given up on you. They aren't including you in what is happening. You'd better examine yourself and see.

I have a letter on my desk in which a leader begs everyone to tell him their feedback. The only problem is that people have tried numerous times to tell him that the "leadership vision" he is forcing upon everyone doesn't line up w/ Scripture and isn't the right thing to do. This man says he wants feedback, but those who give it to him are punished with his ill favor and unkindness. He doesn't want feedback, he wants a rubber stamp. So, he is going happily upon his way thinking he has the endorsement of the people, when every single person, has already discussed it and disagree profoundly. He doesn't have followership, he has a position.

So, the same with Nabal. Abigail knows she'd better act OR ELSE all Nabal has built will come to ruin:

18 Abigail lost no time. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs ^[b] of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. 19 Then she told her servants, "Go on ahead; I'll follow you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

So, Abigail hastily ran out to be an advocate to save her people. We also see this happen again just one book later when an older lady saved her city, by asking David not to destroy the city but to allow the city to throw the rebel's head over a wall. (2 Samuel 20)

She ran! She didn't stop, she ran to stop impending doom! When we are under a leader who has done something horrible to bring harm upon God's people or those under our care, we are to be the "peacemaker," the advocate. We are to run posthaste to make peace immediately. Then is not the time to go arguing with the leader who has done this, but to go beg forgiveness and be an advocate! Talking to the leader comes later!

20 As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them. 21 David had just said, "It's been useless—all my watching over this fellow's property in the desert so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. 22 May God deal with David, ^[c] be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!"

23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and said: "My lord, let the blame be on me alone. Please let your servant speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. 25 May my lord pay no attention to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name is Fool, and folly goes with him. But as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my master sent.

26 "Now since the LORD has kept you, my master, from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, may your enemies and all who intend to harm my master be like Nabal. 27 And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my master, be given to the men who follow you. 28 Please forgive your servant's offense, for the LORD will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master, because he fights the LORD's battles. Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live. 29 Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God. But the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. 30 When the LORD has done for my master every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him leader over Israel, 31 my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the LORD has brought my master success, remember your servant."

Now, this is a tough one. Abigail had obviously done her homework and knew of David and who he was. She also is very kind and not defending what Nabal had done, she is showing David that not everyone is like Nabal in Nabal's house.

Notice that she also points out that vengeance is sin ("Vengeances is mine sayeth the Lord), without angry barbs of words coming from her mouth. She could have said, "How dare you try to kill my sons, you selfish jerk, David." No, she says that she is grateful that DAvid will not have the "staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself."

Wow! She has a wise response. And so must we when we work to turn away wrath from a horrible mistake made by a bad, uncaring, unlistening unwise leader.

But there is more:

"32 David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. 33 May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak."

35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, "Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.""

So, because Abigail acted quickly, she saved the lives of many! She also didn't run back to Nabal to argue and tell him what he had done, but waited for the right time to talk to him.

" 36 When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until daybreak. 37 Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone. 38 About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died."

So, in the morning, Abigail told him what he had done. His heart failed him when he realized that he and all of the men of his camp would have been dead... after all they were at a banquet, drunk, they would have been no match for David. Everything he had was almost gone and done. Nabal saw his own foolishness.

If we look in the next verses, David was thankful for God's justice as it concerns Nabal and took Abigail as his wife.

What can we learn from this:

Evil men sometimes prosper a lot! There is no justice in financial prosperings and we shouldn't expect it. Sometimes jerks can get to the top!
Leaders who are surly, mean, and do not listen will make grave mistakes that endanger those in their care.
When this happens, the wise leaders underneath the foolish leader must do their part to protect the innocent under their care. Make haste and advocate for safety! Do not let the sun go down on what you know you must do!
Do not make excuses for or defend sinful behavior of your leaders!
Always go back AFTER the crisis has passed and tell your leader what happened. This doesn't mean that you just secretly "clean up messes." Leaders should know, whether they listen or not, what their actions do. Just remember to PICK YOUR TIME AND PLACE. Be wise in your confrontation and make sure they are able to listen.

I don't see all of the answers here, but there are some things to glean. This is a pretty harsh and blinding example and rarely is any leader "pure evil." However, leaders who don't listen and are mean and unkind endanger those who are under your care.

We cannot do anything about others, but ask yourself... are you approachable? How do you respond to criticism? Do you "shoot the messenger?" Are you mean?

If so, change your ways, lest one day you become like Nabal.

And if you're an Abigail, know that one day, you too shall be liberated to live in the house of the King!

Who Do You Trust? How to add People You Trust to Igoogle.

2008-09-22T16:00:00.000-04:00

I've been going through a powerful study by Beth Moore in my quiet time called Breaking Free. On page 124, she wrote something I love:

I want to share something about women who live free that I hope will be encouraging. Most of them have experienced a serious stronghold or hindrance they have fought to overcome.

How do I know? Because every person I've met who really seems liberated to love, enjoy, and obey God as a lifestyle has been on the battlefield. They usually appreciate and apply victory more readily because they've experienced the misery of defeat first hand.

I rarely meet a person who has come to trust God fully without painfully confronting the fact that she can't trust herself. Freedom Never Comes Easy." p 124, Beth Moore.

This has been a great study for me, and I'm so excited, as I was writing this, I found Beth's blog.

Keeping Up With Blogs from People You Trust

If you don't know how to add this to an "RSS reader," I highly suggest that you:

Sign up for Google Reader and then
Drag the subscribe button onto your toolbar.
Then, go to Beth's blog and click "subscribe. (You can also do that with this page).
Finally, if you use igoogle, you should consider adding Google Reader to your homepage.

If you don't have a google account, this blog gives a pretty good overview of how to do this.

Beth Moore trust inspiration

Learning About Leadership, the Appointed vs. the Annointing

2008-09-21T20:00:00.000-04:00

This is a tough one. Leaders in the old testament were "anointed" meaning that they had oil put upon their heads and God selected them to be the leader. Saul, was anointed to be King of the Israelites. (1 Samuel 10:1)

This was a one time happening, an appointment to a position of sorts. The person was appointed by God to do the job.

The anointing of God, however, is an ongoing thing. A relationship with God Almighty that was ongoing.

"12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul." 1 Samuel 18:12

This is why we should read our Bibles and pray daily so that we can be fruitful for God -- Jesus is "God with us" -- we want to be WITH him. Anointing is an active expression not a point in the past. John 15:5 says:

" 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

So, what if we're abiding in the anointing of God, but our leaders who have been appointed (and at one time, we hope anointed) ARE NOT! What then? What do we do with our followership when the leadership is lacking?

First, remember that we cannot see into the heart of our leader any more than they can see into ours. All we know is our own viewpoint, which is as in a glass darkly, but we shall see clearly one day. But, what do we do with our followership when leadership is severely lacking?

I think we can see some insight into the life of David. David was being hunted by Saul, totally misunderstood and persecuted. When Saul came into a cave to relieve himself, David had the perfect opportunity to kill Saul, and yet, he didn't. We look at 1 Samuel 24:10-13:

10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, 'I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD's anointed.' 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, 'From evildoers come evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you.

Also, look at what happened to David. David was not cornered in a cave to whimper like an animal, go back to 1 Samuel 18:14-15:

"14 In everything he did he had great success, ^[a] because the LORD was with him. 15 When Saul saw how successful ^[b] he was, he was afraid of him."

God will prosper those leaders who have his ongoing anointing. Even if they aren't in charge of EVERYTHING, they are in charge of something. He will bless and prosper their hand for what they are in charge of.

Understand that this can spark incredible jealousy and anger from those who are not under the current anointing of God. To see God blessing others brings to mind when they used to see His blessing and as long as those leaders depend upon their own strength, they will continue to be frustrated and diminish.

This is what I pull out of this:

We are to not lift our hands to harm God's anointed. They will see that we had the chance but did not harm them, and if they did not, it is OK.
Understand that often God's punishment within a man's soul is much deeper than that which any man could inflict. God handles justice and we should not wish His displeasure upon anyone.
God will judge between us and our leaders. God avenges we do not.
Those who do evil such as gossip, backstabbing, and plotting are EVIL MEN. We won't do it if we are indeed good.
Leaders who are appointed to a position but are not under God's leadership will bear NO FRUIT and will resent THOSE WHO DO! This, however, does not relieve us of our responsibility to honor their position.

This is tough because we want God to come in and just give us justice. Let us not forget that we too are humans with many faults and we should be glad God doesn't give total justice, because we'd be punished terribly!

Tomorrow, we will look at what do do when a leader is bringing harm upon those he leads: Nabal and Abigail.

If you want to see past posts in this area, just click on "leadership" below.

Photos licensed under IStock Photo, you do not have permission to reuse.

Learning About Leadership, Part 1

2008-09-21T18:29:00.001-04:00

I'm writing a series on leadership, not because I consider myself such an amazing leader, but rather, because right now, I'm having some issues with followership. Big issues.

What do I do when a Christian leader is not accurate? unkind? hurtful? not listening?

The human response is to fight -- however, our response must always be to seek God's word. Here are my notes as I seek answers to the questions that keep me awake at night concerning this matter.

So, we start with what Jesus says in Matthew 23:

" 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you..."

Remember that the Pharisees and teachers of the law were responsible not only for leading God's people astray but for the death of Jesus Christ himself. (Although God allowed this.) And yet, Jesus did not say people should ignore these men who had created SO MANY laws that the people couldn't survive. He said that you MUST obey them and do everything they tell you. (Of course, again, later, he focuses on the spirit and intent of the law as being supreme to the law itself.)

This is consistent with Hebrews 13:17

"17Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."

I've seen Hebrews 13:17 "lorded" over the church before. Yes, it is clear that we are to OBEY those God has put in charge. Just remember that Matthew 23:23-24 says:

"23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."

We are not to ignore the spirit of the law when we follow "the law." God's intent ALWAYS overshadows manmade rules. We saw this when Jesus healed the woman who was bent over on a Sabbath and when David at the showbread on the altar.

I'll never forget my Dad telling me a story about how the deacons had decided that they would all be on time to a meeting. The very next meeting, a man was very late and was called into account by the others and he quietly accepted it.

Later, the other deacons found out that a church member had been widowed that very evening and the deacon was late because he had been with the widow at that time! The deacons were humiliated for they had put the rule of man above the spirit of the law. They begged his forgiveness.

God wants us to show love first and be His hands and feet and in this case, when priorities conflict, God's calling must be above ALL ELSE! Period!

Now, let's look at more of Matthew 23: 1-4:

" 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them."

What are heavy loads?
Well, it is easy to say that heavy loads are not from Christ, for he says in Matthew 11:29

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I would be wary to be the man who puts rules upon the shoulders of God's people that God Himself does not place there.

In the New Testament, there were men so convinced that to go to heaven that one had to be circumcised that they went peeking around in the men's privy to catch a man who wasn't "pure" in this matter. In fact, the Jerusalem council tackled this very issue. (Acts 15:1)

What did Peter say to this?

8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." (Acts 15:8-10)

The Rules of Man
I have a letter on my desk today something giving me more than 10 "rules" that I should follow to be an effective person in a leadership position I have at church.

Most are pretty superficial, but, OK, so I'm supposed to obey. Now, what do I do?

From the study so far, I believe it is safe to say:

I am to obey to the best of my ability.
My leader will be held in account by God Almighty Himself. My appeal is to God.
When all of these things make me weary and burdened, I have complete refuge in Jesus Christ. Ultimately I am responsible to Him.
I will give this person the respect due his position, however, my salvation is not upon the approval of a man, but the blood of Jesus Christ. Doing all of these things surely is good, however, the measure of my life is obedience to Jesus Christ and his calling to me.
When the superficial laws of man conflict with the intent of the law as laid out by God, I am totally responsible to follow God's direction, despite the disapproval of others.
I am to forgive this person a thousand times over, and in fact, right now, I wake up every morning and pray for God to help me forgive this person. This leader is a huge struggle for me, but if I do not forgive, I shall not be forgiven!

There are many more things to share here, but this is what I've learned for now. This is an ongoing struggle in several areas of my life and perhaps others are struggling in this way.

As we look ahead at King David, even when Saul was completely wrong and had the hand of God removed from him, David said, "Far be it from me that I would place a hand upon God's anointed."

Be very wary of actively trying to harm any man of God. Yes, a man can be completely wrong, however, to approach any thing of this matter without a lot of prayer and caution is to bring harm upon yourself, I believe the Scripture will show that.

Christianity is Based on Christ NOT Your Voting Record

2008-09-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”- 1 Peter 3:8

"35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

In the US, we've forgotten how to disagree. We call names. We make things up. We drag the people who want to serve and lead us through the worst experiences of their lives.

And it happens in the Christian world too.

You are a Christian based upon what you believe in Jesus Christ, not who you are voting for.

Now, I do believe that your faith should shape how you make your decision but I know good Christians that are on each side of the current presidential election in the United States.

They shall know we are Christians by their love.

So, as we are in the midst of debate and disagreement, one thing holds true. We can respect the human beings that God made and be salt and light. We can act differently from the rest of the world. We can be a part of this election and treat those we disagree with with respect, kindness, and love. We can listen but we can stand firm in the conviction that we emerge with as our own.

Let's vote. Celebrate our freedom. And do it in a way that honors our Lord. Everyone who throws mud gets dirty.

The Face of Missions: 410,000 meals a day for Hurricaine Ike and No Way to Donate on Facebook!

2008-09-14T21:28:00.000-04:00

Hurricaine Ike has so many people displaced, I just got this in my inbox from the SBC:

"

Caison said SBC DR feeding teams are committed to serve 250,000 meals a day for The American Red Cross and another 160,000 meals a day for The Salvation Army -- for a total commitment of 410,000 meals per day.
State units activated, en route, staging or on-site in Texas include:

Texas–SBTC Texas–TBM Virginia–SBCV
Virginia–VBMB

Louisiana California Florida North Carolina

South Carolina Arkansas Alabama Georgia

Michigan Tennessee Illinois Arizona

Iowa Kentucky Mississippi New Mexico

Northwest
Utah/Idaho

"

410 thousand people who are needing meals! Think of the families who have loved ones staying with them and churches and other organizations who are serving and helping! We fed 2500 a day here after our tornadoes and I cannot even imagine what they are doing.

So, the question is, what can we do to help?
Well, since I have some friends who are experts on raising money using Facebook, I was all ready to add it to my facebook page to help raise money for the cause, however, what I found was an unclaimed page, and several SBC causes by people who don't look like they work for the Southern Baptist Convention At All!

What is the problem? If my friend, Beth Kanter, can raise $2500 in a thirty minute presentation for Cambodian Orphans, can I not raise money to feed 410,000 people right here at home! So, I sent this letter to the SBC disaster unit, a group that is probably too busy to "mess with" this, however, I am helpless to do anything to help.

"I want to help raise money for what is happening with this on facebook, but the SBC has not set up an official "cause" so I can promote it and get donations!

Please, is there someone on staff that could set this up -- the other "causes" are not by official members of the SBC and I'm concerned money is being raised without it going to the SBC.

I have a friend who raised $2500 for cambodian orphans in 30 minutes at a conference -- and we should be using facebook to raise money for the work of the SBC. Please help!

See - http://apps.new.facebook.com/causes/10495?recruiter_id=10280939 and someone w/ a facebook there needs to click on this page and claim it:

http://apps.new.facebook.com/causes/beneficiaries/5147?m=0b1f7"

So, does anyone know someone at the Southern Baptist Convention that I can reach to help solve this problem? This is frustrating!

I went to the "technology channel" for information on integrating technology into ministry and this was the page I got!

OK, SBC, I love you, but we have some work to do on the technology side. Why not harness the thousands of technologically savvy out here to help with this sort of thing? A new way to be a missionary. Technology missionaries who live at home, support themselves and help on the weekends and nights.

We are to be everywhere for the name of Christ and that includes Facebook.

facebook Southern Baptist Convention technology

Cool Cat Christian's Links of the Day 09/14/2008

2008-09-14T05:30:00.001-04:00

Remember The Milk - Blog
How to add your remember the milk tasks to netvibes. I use the igoogle widget, but the netvibes widget is very powerful also -- you'll get more out of this handy tool if you add it to your start page. It is much easier to work with this way because the add feature is much better than in remember the milk.
tags: education, ccc
Remember The Milk - Help / FAQ / Sharing & Publishing / How do I share a list with a contact?
Remember the Milk has very powerful ways to share lists. We spent some time setting up our list for Flat Classroom, Digiteen, and the conference in remember the milk. If you have a virtual team, I highly suggest that you set up a list. There are many services, but this is my favorite. Go through this and click next - this is how we did it.
tags: education, ccc, timemanagement
K-12 Online Conference 2008 Marketing Flyer on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
K12 online marketing flyer -- this is going to be so exciting!

The K12 online conference is a FREE conference for people who teach kids at the K12 level. You'll find tons of great information about how to teach today's kids and information on new tools and classroom best practice. Julie and I are working with the strand "kicking it up a notch" and are very excited!
tags: education, edu_news, ccc

Texas–SBTC	Texas–TBM	Virginia–SBCV	Virginia–VBMB
Louisiana	California	Florida	North Carolina
South Carolina	Arkansas	Alabama	Georgia
Michigan	Tennessee	Illinois	Arizona
Iowa	Kentucky	Mississippi	New Mexico
Northwest	Utah/Idaho