T E V E T

Know Weakness

2013-07-29T06:38:00.000-05:00

To know strength, you gotta know weakness. To know breakthrough, you gotta be broken. Acknowledging our weaknesses we declare Christ's strength. Confessing our sins declares Jesus as Lord.
Check out 2 Corinthians 12.9.

Proud Poppa

2013-06-12T20:22:00.001-05:00

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3.17

Pretty cool that the Creator of the Universe loves you so much that He celebrates you.

His Love will calm your anxious soul and give you the Peace and rest that is so desperately needed.

And what is so freaking amazing is that His passion for you cannot be limited to words. Dad is so enamored with you that He is compelled to sing over you and about you.

Watch "My God Reigns by Darrell Evans" on YouTube

Heaven Loves the One Percent

2013-05-21T22:07:00.000-05:00

In the same way, I tell you there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes his heart and life, than over ninety-nine good people who don't need to change. Luke 15.7

Its good to be the 1%.

Stumped

2012-12-04T07:00:00.000-06:00

If only a tenth of the people are left, even they will be destroyed. But just as stumps remain after trees have been cut down, some of my chosen ones will be left. Isaiah 6.13

A stump aint the prettiest thing to look at. A reminder of what was and what never will be. What used to be the home to birds and creatures, and brought shade and beauty to man is now a stump. What man sees as death, God sees as life. When a tree is cut down, the forest floor opens up. New life is given room to grow. New life that would have been smothered in the darkness of the shade of a full grown tree.

Looking back on our Spiritual Pasture (that ain't too lame of metaphor, is it), we may see a few stumps. We may see times in which it seemed our ministries, relationships or seasons were abruptly chopped down.

It's times like this when the enemy, those around us or even our own thoughts try to trip us up and convince us that we failed. Its times like this that we have to stand upon what Jesus has in store for us and not what the past had for us. (Philippians 3.13-14)

It comes down to this, God does the miraculous and sometimes He lets us in on it. God creates Life where there was death. There are times when Jesus says this ministry, this relationship or this season is over. Jesus says thats it, its over. It may be more of an indication of what Jesus is doing than what we did or didn't do.

Temp Work

2012-11-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

It seems that some days or weeks just drag on for way too long. It seems that the issues are seemingly endless, and will bury me alive. Either at work or at home, there are certain problems that are always hanging over my head. Issues that drain me spiritually, emotionally and physically. Circumstances that I allow to pull me into worldliness and unfaithfulness, that extinguish the Light of Christ around me and in me. It sucks when life gets to that point.

But when I am reminded to take on an Eternal Vision, my attitude gets straightened out. Co-workers, money, car problems, relational headaches, sin, insecurities and my lack of discipline all get put into a proper perspective. I ain't perfect, and I haven't been called to be perfect. I have been called to the Kingdom. (1 Thessalonians 2.11-12) I have been asked to surrender my all my issues to a Savior that has conquered it all.

And Jesus didn't just conquer my sin, He equipped me to be more than a conqueror. And not just me, but anyone and everyone who calls upon Him. (Romans 8.37-39) All we have to do is concede that what we see, what we endure, the daily routines we get tangled up in, is temporary. And from God's perspective, a focus on the temporary is futility. (Psalm 103.15-16) A focus on Eternity is productivity. (Matthew 6.19-20)

We gotta put our eyes on Jesus. We gotta remind ourselves of the Victory we have and we gotta remind each other of the Victory. (Hebrews 10.24) We gotta call out our circumstances for what they're worth. We can't get caught up in the temp work.

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4.16-18 The Message

Throw Your Hands Up

2012-07-01T09:45:00.000-05:00

There have been two instances in my lift that have led me to quickly thrust my hands in the air. Times of personal victory or celebration are one instance. The other instance would be in obedience of the police officer's command to put my hands where he can see them.

One instance is involuntary, an enthusiastic reaction to something great or exciting. The other instance is voluntary, a nervous moment that creates a rush of anxiety and fear. One instance I have control of the situation, the other I am surrendering control of the moment. Either way the end result is the same, my hands were in the air.

With Jesus, we can find ourselves in a similar spot. Triumphantly standing or jumping with our hands in the air as we shout Glory to His name and His Victory. Or the times when our heads are hanging down, when we cant even stay standing and we fall to our knees. The times when it is all we can do to raise our arms up in surrender of humility. The times when we lift our hands as if to say, "Jesus, take it all, take my shame, take my sin, take my pride, take it all"

The coolest thing with Jesus, whether we throw our hands up in superiority or submission, we are in victory and surrender. When we celebrate His Glory, we are giving up our glory. (2 Corinthians 4.15) When we relinquish our weaknesses, we receive His Strength. (2 Corinthians 12.10)

Exalt Jesus in the good and the bad, throw your hands up!

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.

Psalm 134.2

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

Psalm 28.2

Look Beyond

2012-03-20T06:42:00.001-05:00

There seems to be a continual maturing process when seeking the Kingdom. Holy Spirit is constantly asking us to look beyond the current, beyond our selfishness and beyond our own righteousness. Peter wrote about this sorta thing.

So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world
1 Pete 1.13. (Look to Eternity, look to Jesus)

So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.
1 Pete 1.14 (Look for a Loving Dad to help you from slipping into the bad habits of old)

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.
1 Pete 1.15 (Look to live Holy, look for a Holy God to work in your life)

Now, holiness aint easy and it aint too common. My wife can assure you of that. But it is possible or else Dad wouldn't ask it of us.
The only way we can look beyond ourselves is by the Grace of the One who lived Holy. The Great Savior whose sacrifice made the Throne available to us when we aint so perfect.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4.16

Shut Up, Then Speak Up

2011-09-18T09:28:00.000-05:00

We can text, facebook, email, call or complain to anybody & everybody about people that have offended us. Most times we take advantage of all these possibilities. Yet, we aint brave enough to directly confront the person who pissed us off.

Sure, there are some that aint shy about getting in peoples' faces & shouting down their 'offense'. But are these types genuinely concerned about bringing resolution? Or are they just attacking to cover up their hurt or just doing so to be mean?

It aint easy bringing hurts & offenses to others but it is necessary & recommended by Jesus that we do so. "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." Luke 17.3

Are we seeking resolution for a conflict or seeking justification for an attitude? More than likely we just wanna vindicate ourselves rather deal with the possibility that we could be wrong in our attitude, actions or words.
So rather than using every opportunity to 'avenge' ourselves, we should create the opportunity to give & ask for forgiveness. Sometimes, we just need to shut up, then speak up.

Know Strength

2011-05-23T11:12:00.000-05:00

I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18.1-3

It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.
Psalm 18.32

For You have armed me with strength for the battle;You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.
Psalm 18.39

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19.14

Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.
Psalm 20.6

Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.
Psalm 21.13

But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
Psalm 22.19

The LORD is my light and my salvation;Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27.1

Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
Psalm 28.6-8

Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Psalm 29.1

The LORD will give strength to His people;The LORD will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 29.11

Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your strength.
Psalm 54.1

I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.
Psalm 59.9

To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;For God is my defense, My God of mercy.
Psalm 59.17

In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.
Psalm 62.7

O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!
Psalm 68.35

I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD;I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only.
Psalm 71.16

My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73.26

You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
Psalm 77.14

You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
Psalm 78.4

Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.
Psalm 81.1

Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me! Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant.
Psalm 86.6

The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.
Psalm 93.1

Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
Psalm 96.6

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore.
Psalm 105.4

The LORD is my strength and song,And He has become my salvation.
Psalm 118.14

In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138.3

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.
Psalm 140.7

He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.

Psalm 149.10-11

Life Conquerors

2010-12-30T12:20:00.000-06:00

Christians are promised two things: Eternal Life and Peace. When we hang onto the Peace the way we hang onto Eternity, THEN we are more than conquerors!

John Roman 32.54-30*

*TCV Fused (Tevet Caffeinated Version) is a loose 'translation' of the Word that fuses a verse or two from a different books of the Bible and generate a new verse.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14.27

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

John 10.27-30

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8.31-39

My Prosperity Gospel

2010-10-12T06:06:00.001-05:00

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Acts 2.44-45

Don't get me wrong. I aint a socialist and I aint for utopia. What people do with their money is their business. What I am for is the church being the Church. The Body helping the Body.

I hear, read and see so many Christians that are caught up in the 'prosperity gospel'. The notion that the favor of God is directly conveyed into financial and personal success. I am especially disgusted with the hustling and pimping of the Gospel. Preachers, radio stations and tv stations claiming that giving money to them will bring a return on your money.

I have witnessed too many people that have gloried in the material possessions. I have witnessed too many people applauding lavish lifestyles as 'proof' of someones anointing. Again, how these people spend their money is their business. But it is also God's business.

What I think would be a greater testimony of God's blessings would be those with excess giving away their extra to bless those without. Selling the possessions that are nothing more than status symbols and putting that money into the Kingdom by putting it into the hands of those who are without the basics.

How much more would Jesus be exalted by Christians meeting the needs of others? Would this sorta prosperity be ridiculed and condemned as much as the current 'prosperity message' that is being preached and believed by some? Which prosperity is going to last eternally?

As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

2 Corinthians 8.15

God Knows

2010-10-03T15:51:00.000-05:00

I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”

Isaiah 49.4

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

1 Corinthians 4.5

God knows the motivations of hearts. He knows why we do what we do. So don't get caught up in figuring out if what we have done is a success or a failure. God knows, God is the one who will repay each person for what they have done. Let Him be God and keep doing what He asks, when He asks.

1 Isacoriahthins 53.9*

*TCV Fused (Tevet Caffeinated Version) is a loose 'translation' of the Word that fuses a verse or two from a different books of the Bible and generate a new verse.

Your Prayers Get The Victory For Others

2010-10-02T12:42:00.001-05:00

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

2 Timothy 2.1

So shall they fear The name of the LORD from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.

Isaiah 59.19

Get busy praying, keep praying for all those around you. Be thankful for those in your life. Through your prayers, Holy Spirit will bring about the breakthrough and Victory in their lives.

2 Timisomiahy 61.20*

*TCV Fused (Tevet Caffeinated Version) is a loose 'translation' of the Word that fuses a verse or two from a different books of the Bible and generate a new verse.

Someone Else is Being Blessed?!?

2010-08-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

When others are blessed around you, how do you respond? Do you rejoice with them when they are blessed. Do you glorify God, who is their Great Provider? How do you feel when a friends prayers are answered but not your own? Have you ever asked God, "Why not me?!?", when He shows favor to their needs or wants. Have you ever had the audacity to tell the Almighty about someone's sins and shortcomings after asking Him "Why them?!?"
Maybe I am the only one who has had to overcome immaturity and selfishness? Maybe no one else has had to suppress resentment towards the testimonies of "God's favor"? Over the years I have heard and read countless rationales of "prosperity" that encouraged my soul rather than edified my Spirit. Yes, God wants to bless me, "not because of who I am but because of Whose I am"(Joel Osteen). But His abundance isn't just for me and it isn't measured by what I drive, where I live, what I wear or by how much money is in my pocket.
We know that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above (James 1:17), whether a person has declared Jesus as Lord and Savior or not. Even if a person never acknowledges Him, God gives sight to the poor and the oppressor (Proverbs 29:13). Yet sometimes it can be difficult for us to celebrate God's generosity when it is someone else who is the beneficiary. It does not matter if the individual is strong in their Faith or in a lifestyle of sin. It is God who should be exalted, not our pride or envy.
Worse yet, we can become critical and bitter with our God and those who have been blessed. It is not easy to see a friend get married who hasn't been single as long as you have. It can be difficult to be happy for someone who has started a new job or been given a promotion, when you are still receiving rejection letters. Even the simple pleasures can be stumbling blocks for our Love for Jesus and others. Having to turn down an invitation to join friends dining out because of budget limitations can lead to frustration and envy.
We will wander in the wilderness until our hearts are surrendered to Him. When we can celebrate the goodness of God, no matter what our own circumstances may be, then we will see His loving kindness in ways that we have never known.
Direct me by your commands! I love to do what you say. Make me want to obey you, rather than to be rich. Take away my foolish desires, and let me find life by walking with you. Psalm 119: 35-37
I do not think our praise of His blessings is limited to what He has given us, we should be happy for others when they are doing well. When someone near us is blessed we should exalt Him. It should be exciting to see Jesus answer others' prayers. Another brother or sister's prosperity is praise worthy! We should proclaim our joy when Jesus blesses and exceeds the needs of His brothers and sisters.
Rejoicing in God is not a passive activity. The Hebrew word for thanks is yadah. It means especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively. This type of outward expression is easily exhibited during sporting contests and other activities that we our passionate about, yet when it comes to our Faith, we can be docile?
I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17
So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32:11

We are commanded in the Word to rejoice at the Goodness of God!
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Psalm 5:11
If we love Him and are seeking Him, then we have to magnify Him!
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The LORD be magnified!” Psalm 40:16
It takes a willingness to yield to Holy Spirit, to allow Him to convict us and heal us of our pride and our selfishness (Psalm 19:13-14, Psalm 51:10). It also means that we have to be "prepared" for the opportunities to glorify Jesus when He moves on behalf of those near us. It means that we need to be expressive in our appreciation (Psalm 107:31,32) of what God has done, for ourselves and others. Declaring it to the Body of Christ and the world around us.

Because the earth is the Lord's (Psalm 24:1) and it is full of His Glory (Psalm 33:5), we will never be without opportunity to revel in the Greatness of God's abundance!

GLORY!

Let It Burn

2010-08-09T00:26:00.000-05:00

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter1:7

Trials can purify our Faith the way fire can purify gold. Perhaps we haven't endured the 'process' long enough to reveal His Glory, so we have to spend more time in the furnace. We beg & whine about the heat and discomfort. We quit before everything false is burned away. We underestimate Him and ourselves by quitting before He has finished. We need to ask God to complete the work He intends to do in us, not the work we will allow Him to do. If we can take the heat now we can reveal His Glory now. If we let it burn now, we won't have to go through the same flames later.

I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure. I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name,and I will answer them. I will say, ‘These are my people,’and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’” Zechariah 13:9

Mary, Mary Why Ya Buggin

2010-08-02T19:45:00.001-05:00

I aint a theologian but I am gonna do my best to pull it off for this entry.

Jesus was hanging with His buds when a chick comes in, busts open a jar of perfume and dumps it on Him for His burial. The buds are quick to jump all on her case and complain about what she had done. They even took the pious approach of "Come on Mary, what are you doing?! What a waste, we coulda blessed the poor. Mary why would you do something so thoughtless...."). But Jesus shut them up by simply saying, "Get over it, at least she has been paying attention." (Matthew 26.6-13)

It was the woman that were hearing and listening to what Jesus had to say. It was the woman who threw off the societal views and went all out for Jesus. (Women during these times were viewed less valuable than property and were not viewed as credible witnesses in court.) The disciples who were hand picked by Jesus, had been hearing Jesus preach for years. But had they been listening?

So the point with this entry is a few questions for you:

Are you hearing and listening to what Jesus is saying?
Are you willing to make a fool of yourself in front of others who have greater 'prestige' than you because of what Jesus is saying?

Religion is Death

2010-07-27T23:02:00.000-05:00

And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death.
Romans 7.10

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
1 Corinthians 15.56

RELIGION IS DEATH!
Rocormanthians 22.66

*TCV Fused (Tevet Caffeinated Version) is a loose 'translation' of the Word that fuses a verse or two from a different books of the Bible and generate a new verse.

Highs and Lows

2010-07-26T19:40:00.000-05:00

If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there.
Psalm 139.8

High or low, Jesus is there. Even when life is at its 'best' and we put our Faith on cruise control and kinda put Jesus in the back seat, He is there. When life is at its worst, when everything is crashing down on us, He is there.

We cannot be separated from His love. Even when we put Him off because of how smooth things may be going, He loves us the same. Even when we are 'losing' battle after battle in our Faith, He loves us the same.

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8.37-39

A Simple Prayer

2010-07-23T18:17:00.000-05:00

Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3.5

Think about this. Paul is praying for peoples hearts to move into the fullness of God's Love. The kind of Love that has no limits. (Romans 8.38-39) The kind of Love that forgives all sins. (Proverbs 10:12) The kind of Love that sacrifices His only Son for those who may not appreciate and accept the Gift. (John 3:17)

Think about the Patience of Christ. Jesus gave up the presence of God to live on earth as a man. (John 1.1-3) He took it upon himself to live and die for the sin of mankind. ( Isaiah 53:4 ) Jesus knew the torture and suffering He was to endure and He did not want to go through it. (Luke 22.42-44) But He did. (Hebrews 12:2) He did so everyone, even those who may not appreciate or accept the Gift, could access the presence of God. (1 Timothy 2.4) Jesus gave up a residence without sin, without pain, without hatred, so others could have the opportunity to know what He had known.

Pretty deep prayer Paul laid down in his letter, huh? Pretty simple prayer as well. Simple enough for anyone of us to pray when things are getting outta control and our focus ain't where it should be. Simple enough for you to pray right now.

May God direct MY heart into the Love of God and the Patience of Christ. Amen.

Fight for Peace

2010-07-19T18:55:00.001-05:00

I had the thought of holding onto a $100 bill on a windy day. How tight I would clutch, maybe even peeking into my fist, 'checking' to see if it was still there. I thought about what would happen if a gust of wind ripped it outta my hands and sent it flying across the parking lot. I saw myself running after it, following its every twist and turn in the air. I imagined other people staring at me in curiosity or outta fear depending upon my facial expressions, actions and cries of "God stop that money!" or yelling at complete strangers "HEY! Help me out here, please!?!" I wondered what would happen if it blew underneath a car, if I would drop to the ground and crawl on my belly over oil stains and discarded gum, stabbing at it with an outstretched hand. I wondered if I would run into traffic and halt cars as I stomped at the ground trying to pin Ben Franklin to the pavement.
I wondered what if someone else would have gotten to it first. An rough looking dude, an elderly lady or a small child? How would I respond if they tried to keep my money? Would I be rude, would I just grab what belonged to me irregardless of the consequences. In a way, I thought, it would be easier for me to confront the scary looking dude because if things got ugly, it wouldn't be bad if I brawled with him, even if I lost a couple of teeth. Whereas, if I picked a fight with the little old lady, it would be a lose/lose situation for me, let alone if she put me down and out how I would have to explain to my wife how I lost $100 and got beat down by a grandma.

All of this went through my mind as I walked from my car into the grocery store. (No wonder I forgot to get the diapers I was originally sent to the store to get, huh?) What had me thinking about this is how I could without hesitation or regard, fight and track down something of value that belonged to me. How it is possible for me to work so hard for something that is not permanent and that is fleeting, but I don't chase after Peace with the same frenzied passion.

As a believer, His Peace is promised to me! As a believer His Peace is mine to take a hold of and hang onto when times are rough and out of my control. But so many times I throw away His Peace because of my fears, my words or because of my laziness. I don't chase after a Peace that would be so much more helpful to me and especially those around me. I give up on pursuing it after a couple of half hearted attempts of seeking Him. I don't ask for any one's help in seeking what is mine to have. I don't make a 'public spectacle' of myself trying to claim what is mine.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14

Check out the definition of pursue: Radaf-raw-daf'a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by):--chase, put to flight, follow after, hunt, to be under persecution, pursue.

Now check out the definition of peace: Shalom {shaw-lome'}; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace: favour, (good) health, peace prosperous, rest,

Peace is definitely worth pursuing. It would definitely be worth me making a public spectacle of myself or calling upon others to help me when it is out of my reach. Peace is actually worth more to me than the things in life I am lacking. Money, relationships and circumstances have no guarantees. Hey, the world promises us nothing but trouble. Great friends, fat bank accounts and an easy life is not promised. But as believers, Peace is ours to have when we don't have enough money, ideal relationships and pleasant circumstances.

I can hunt and fight the things which are temporary and that can actually be a great source of my headaches or I can fight for that which will be with me when I have it all or have nothing at all.

Shalom

2010-07-19T18:44:00.000-05:00

Each person's definitions of trials and struggles will differ based upon who they are, what the situation is and how deeply they are affected. What is overwhelming to some may be common to others. What is emotionally draining to one person may be something totally incomprehensible to another.

Money, friends and wisdom cannot keep us from the miseries of life. Because we are by nature selfish and self centered we will always have to overcome our own attitudes, words and actions. Daily, we will encounter and be forced to deal with others just like us and their attitudes, words and actions.

How an individual endures, copes and hopefully overcomes the obstacles to enjoying life is just as varying as each person's definitions of trials and struggles. But for those whose hope is in the Creator, there is the promise of Peace for our times of headache, backache and heartache. God gives us a peace that will transcend all understanding. God gives us a peace that makes us take comfort when it seems illogical.

A promise that life gives us is that we will find ourselves in trials. A promise that God gives us is that we can find peace during those trials.

The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 29:11

peace-shalom-safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.
So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27

peace-eirene-peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

Is Planned Parenthood a Terrorist Organization?

2010-07-16T06:19:00.003-05:00

[We propose to] hire three or four colored ministers, preferably with social-service backgrounds, and with engaging personalities. The most successful educational approach to the Negro is through a religious appeal. And we do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population, and the minister is the man who can straighten out that idea if it ever occurs to any of their more rebellious members.
Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger commenting on the 'Negro Project' in a letter to Dr. Clarence Gamble, December 10, 1939

Thanks to all of you at Planned Parenthood for all the work that you are doing for women all across the country and for families all across the country-and for men who have enough sense to realize you are helping them, all across the country. I want to thank Cecile Richards (national president of Planned Parenthood) for her extraordinary leadership. I am happy to see so many good friends here today, including Steve Trombley and Pam Sutherland from my home state of Illinois. We had a number of battles down in Springfield from many years and it's wonderful to see that they are here today"
Barak Obama July 17, 2007

"What you've seen in some of the statements that have been made by these terrorist organizations is that they do not regard African life as valuable in and of itself," he said. "They see it as a potential place where you can carry out ideological battles that kill innocents without regard to long-term consequences for their short-term tactical gains." Barak Obama during an interview July 13, 2010 with the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

So is Planned Parenthood a Terrorist Organization?

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6.16-19

Perhaps

2010-07-02T17:00:00.000-05:00

During trials it is common to question God with-

"What am I doing wrong?"
"Where did I mess up?"
"How am I being disobedient?"

(Interesting how when times are going smooth, we aren't as quick to ask the Lord for His input, huh?)

Perhaps God isn't limited to just giving correction.
Perhaps He wants to give encouragement during trials.
Perhaps we should also ask God-

"What am I doing that is good?"
"Where am I in Your Will?"
"Please show me where I have been obedient?"

Silent God

2010-07-01T14:27:00.000-05:00

The easiest and best thing to do when facing uncertainty or heavy decisions is to ask God for Wisdom. God gives it liberally and without an 'I told you so', 'Its about time you asked' or a 'Why should I help you out, you're just gonna mess it up anyways'. It says so in James 1.5-7. I dunno if Wisdom has always existed or it was the first thing God created but according to Proverbs 8.22-30 wisdom was hanging around before God created the world.

Sometimes, the struggle for me, after having asked God for Wisdom, is following through with the insight He has given me. Getting Wisdom doesn't mean that I can figure a way outta my problems or having to face up to my sin. Getting Wisdom has equipped me to take on my problems and how to deal with the consequences of my sin.

There have been times in which I have asked for Wisdom and it seems like God ignored the request. I know that ain't true because His Word says otherwise. What I have concluded (wondered) is if God was leaving a decision entirely up to me. After all, He created me, He knows how I am wired. God knows my past, present and future. He also knows my strengths and weaknesses much better than I do. Was God just laying low to see how I was gonna respond to a situation? Or was He wanting to see how I would handle circumstances or trials after having learned some lessons?

It is scary thinking that God trusts me to make the right choices. There are some decisions I just don't wanna make because I could wind up making another mistake. Life can be a lot easier when things just sort themselves out. But living life in that manner just ain't for me. I don't believe God has everything laid out for me to do. I believe He gave me a mind to think for myself (Proverbs 16.9). He gives me the desire and the ability to do all things (Philippians 2.13), its just a matter if I wanna settle for boring and below average or if I wanna take on the fullness of life and Jesus (Ephesians 3.20).

Because God has equipped me, because He wants me to grow in Faith and because I trust in Him and His ways, God will remain silent. He ain't ignoring me, He is trusting me. There are times when God is silent because He doesn't need to talk me through a situation. Sometimes, His silence to me is a display of confidence in me.

Expectations?

2010-06-29T19:14:00.003-05:00

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55.8-9

Don't get caught expecting God to only move in one way. Don't limit God in how He is gonna show up in your life. Don't miss out on what God is doing in your life and the lives of others because you haven't seen it happen that way before. Don't miss out on His Glory being revealed around you or through you because you 'know' how Jesus is gonna get things done.

Think about how the Jews were baffled by Jesus hanging with sinners, eating, drinking and enjoying himself. These are the same knuckleheads who were critical of John preaching in the desert. (Matthew 11.18-19) Remember, up until Jesus ascended to the Throne, the disciples still expected Jesus to overthrow the Romans. (Acts 1.6-7)

God has always used broken and the ugly to reveal His Perfection and His Glory. God ain't about doing things our way or in always in a manner that is understandable. Sometimes, even after looking back with the perfect 20/20 vision that only hindsight can give us, we still can't make sense or explain how God did what He did, we just know that He did.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
1 Corinthians 1.25