seekingpastor December 29, 2010 at 9:51 am
We are kicked so often from so many people and from so many different angles that we expect it from everyone. Including God. And even though he’s proven that this is not how he operates, we still expect it. And he keeps rescuing when he has every right not to do so. Glad that he never gives up on us.
Enjoy!
A reversal on carbs
Fat was once the devil. Now more nutritionists are pointing accusingly at sugar and refined grains.
They say the Christian life isn’t meant to be done alone. We need community to survive. I believe this is true. But, for people like me, the thing that’s supposed to keep you alive causes you so much pain and anxiety. It’s like drinking water that tastes and smells like gasoline. You know you need it to live, but drinking it can be vomit-inducing. I get jealous of people that others naturally gravitate toward. My friend, Danny, is like this. People naturally like him; and he’s just naturally good with people. I watch him when he’s dealing with the people in our church and I’m amazed. He might as well be wearing a cape and a big “S” on his chest. It’s unbelieveable to me. How is he that comfortable with people? How are people that attracted to him and others like him? It’s strange. We have even discussed the dichotomy of how people react to him and to me. He can make a certain joke and people will think it’s
hilarious. I could make the same exact joke and people will think I’m just creepy. It all goes back to the fact that I’m socially awkward and he’s not. I’m introverted, and he’s extroverted. These are just common personality types. Being one way is not better than the other way, it’s just the way we’re built. Sometimes, though, being introverted can feel less like a personality type and more like a disorder or a condition.
"First of all, I feel so much more confident that the TSA's nude photos of airline passengers will never be released now that I know the government couldn't even prevent half a million classified national security documents from being posted on WikiLeaks."
And by the way, how is the fool who leaked secret U.S. government documents, Julian Assange, gonna turn around and ask that his address be kept secret. Really? REALLY? You got some nerve dude. This guy needs to get the same treatment as the Rosenbergs who also committed espionage/treason!
Surrender (2)
“Because you say so, I will.” Lk 5:5 NIV
When you start to do things God’s way instead of your own, you experience three great benefits: First, you have peace. “Submit to God, and you will have peace; then things will go well for you” (Job 22:21 NLT). Second, you have freedom. “Offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits” (Ro 6:17 TM). Third, you have power. “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas 4:7 NKJV). Stubborn temptations and overwhelming problems are defeated by Christ the moment you surrender. As Joshua approached the walls of Jericho he encountered God, fell down and worshipped, surrendered his plans and said, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” (Jos 5:14 NKJV). Joshua’s surrender led to a spectacular victory. Here’s a paradox: victory comes through surrender! Surrender doesn’t weaken you, it strengthens you. Surrendered to God, you don’t have to fear surrendering to anything else. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said, “The greatness of a man’s power is in the measure of his surrender.” Eventually everybody surrenders to something. If not to God, you’ll surrender to the opinions and expectations of others, to money, to resentment, to fear, to your own lusts or ego. You’re free to choose whatever you surrender to, but you’re not free from the consequences of that choice. E. Stanley Jones said, “If you don’t surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos.” The supreme example is Jesus. The night before His crucifixion He surrendered to God’s plan, saying, “I want your will, not mine.” And He is your example!
Surrender (1)
“Because you say so, I will.” Lk 5:5 NIVUntil we accept and cooperate with the law of gravity, we can’t fly. Until we accept and cooperate with the law of economics, we can’t succeed in business. Getting the idea? Surrendering to God is not weakness, it’s wisdom. Only a fool resists God, because it’s a fight you can’t win. It’s in surrendering to Him that you are empowered to succeed in what He’s called you to do. Surrender is demonstrated by obedience. It’s saying, “Yes, Lord” to whatever He asks. To say, “No, Lord” is a contradiction. How can we call Jesus “Lord,” and refuse to obey Him? (See Lk 6:46 NKJV).
Peter demonstrated true surrender when Jesus told him to try again. “‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish” (Lk 5:5-6 NKJV). Surrendered people obey God even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. Abraham followed God without knowing where it would take him. Hannah waited on God’s timing without knowing when. Mary expected a miracle without knowing how. Joseph trusted God’s plan without knowing why circumstances happened as they did. Each was fully surrendered to God, and they came out on top. “How will I know I’m fully surrendered?” you ask. When you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your own agenda or control the situation. You don’t have to be in charge, you simply let go and let God have His way.
There are other things, but these are the ones that come to mind. If it was up to me, I would take my kids back to the old school when kids didn't have cell phones, TVs, and the like. Back when kids had chores and work to do from an early age. Back when families knew each other and spent time together, contributing to their household together, and being proud of what they've built together.
In Genesis 48, the same thing happens to Joseph, of the double rainbow coat fame. He has brought his two sons to his father Israel for his blessing. We don’t understand this culturally because we don’t really do this anymore, but this was a critical, massive thing that was about to take place. Manasseh was about to receive Israel’s blessing. That was what should happen. That was what Joseph expected.
Joseph the faithful. Joseph the former slave, former convict, former saved all of Egypt from death and destruction. Joseph had a great track record at this point. He was a deeply wise man of God. He knew what was about to happen. By lineage, by tradition, by faith, Manasseh was about to get blessed by Israel.
Only he doesn’t.It doesn’t happen that way. Instead of doing what he should have done, Israel crosses his arms and forms an X, placing his hands on the heads of the wrong children. He blesses Ephraim, the wrong son in Joseph’s mind.
And in 48:17 we see what happens: When Joseph saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head he was displeased; so he took hold of his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
Joseph has lived his entire life with one belief about how a blessing is passed down. This is his, “I got my Master’s Degree in teaching, I should get a teaching job” moment. This is his, “People get married after college, that’s what they do,” moment. This is what he’s always been ready for and it goes the exact opposite way.
So Joseph, like me or you trying to fix a mistake, says, “No, my father, this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.”
And how does Israel respond? Does he say, “Oh, I am failing of sight and made a mistake?” Does he reply, “Thank you for correcting this situation?”
No.
He says simply, “I know, my son, I know.”
And that is an incredibly tender thing to say as someone’s expectations crumble.
And I think it’s something God still says to us, even today.“I know, my son, I know. I know, my daughter, I know. That thing you wanted is not going to happen. Not the way you’ve always dreamed. I know this hurts. I know this stings. I know you feel like I am distant or not aware of where you are and who hurt you and what you think life was supposed to be like. I know in moments like this you doubt that I can count the hairs on your head or have your best in mind. But please, I am not done. I have barely started to reveal your life to you. I am the God who satisfies your desires with good things. That is me! And when it comes to your hopes and your fears and your dreams, I know, my son, I know.”
I think of this moment as the “soft x.”
I think of the tenderness of Israel with his arms outstretched and crossed. I think of our desires and our dreams and the times they don’t work. And above all, I think of a God who wants to tell you he hears you, he loves, he knows you. He is not disconnected or disinterested in who you are and who you want to be. Today, he says,
“I know, my son, I know.”
In the last two years, the state collected just $9.9 billion in unemployment insurance taxes—but it paid out $20.6 billion in benefits during the same time. California recently had to borrow $8.5 billion from the federal government to pay for the unemployment benefit obligations. If the state doesn’t pay off its loan from Washington, D.C. by 2012, it will owe a $362 million interest payment. That’s an expensive fantasy to finance—and California can’t print Monopoly money to stay afloat.
November 02, 2010
Thirty-six Reasons to Vote DemocratBy C. Edmund Wright
In the spirit of bipartisanship, I humbly offer this learning tool to help folks decide whether or not they really do want to vote Democrat in the 2010 midterms.
1. If you want the American government to be feared by the American people -- but laughed at by Hugo Chávez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- vote Democrat.
2. If you want to agree with John Kerry that American voters are stupid and distracted and uninformed -- vote Democrat.
3. If you moved your 7-million-dollar yacht to Rhode Island to avoid taxes -- vote Democrat.
4. If you want a "dude" president -- and not the shining city on a hill -- vote Democrat.
5. If you want to pay through the nose in taxes until you are 70 so union thugs in purple shirts can retire in security at age 50 -- vote Democrat.
6. If you like the fact that people who actually know the Constitution get laughed at by people who are ignorant of it -- vote Democrat.
7. If you want the entire country to be like Detroit, Philadelphia, New York, New Orleans, Chicago -- vote Democrat.
8. If you fear the Chamber of Commerce more than you do the Ground Zero Mosque -- vote Democrat.
9. If you think liberalism and socialism have done a good job of managing the incredibly beautiful and rich state of California, vote Democrat.
10. If you want a government bureaucrat, who can no doubt access your voter registration records, to determine whether or not you get a hip replacement or a cancer treatment -- vote Democrat.
11. If you want to pay six dollars a gallon for gas -- vote Democrat.
12. If you want electricity bills to "necessarily skyrocket" -- vote Democrat.
13. If you think America deserved what it got on 9-11 -- and that we can handle another such attack -- vote Democrat.
14. If you think that Club Gitmo, which was not even operational on 9-11, is why "they hate us" -- vote Democrat.
15. If you think our economy will boom with government bureaucrats making twice what similar folks make in the private sector -- vote Democrat.
16. If you think there's nothing wrong with Jerry Brown admitting that the last time he ran for governor of California, he "had no plan" -- vote Democrat.
17. If you think anything has changed about Jerry Brown and his plans -- vote Democrat.
Read on...
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:36
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. Matthew 24:9
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"In a few days Mr. Bingley returned Mr. Bennet's visit, and sat about ten minutes with him in his library. He had entertained hopes of being admitted to a sight of the young ladies, whose beauty and fighting skill he had heard much; but he saw only the father. The ladies were somewhat more fortunate, for they had the advantage of ascertaining from an upper window that he wore a blue coat, rode a black horse, and carried a French carbine rifle upon his back--quite an exotic weapon for an Englishman. However, from his clumsy wielding of it, Elizabeth was quite certain that he had little training in musketry or any of the deadly arts."
"Socialism is a utopian plan to build what cannot be built, to realize what is only illusory, and to destroy what works even if the result is chaos and death." -Ismael Hernandez, ex-communist activist
"Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD." Proverbs 23:17
"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual mmorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5
Sometimes, we fall in love on mission trips even though we know we’ll break up when we get back. Sometimes, you have to shot block a friend’s prayer because she’s asking God to bless an obviously bad dating relationship. Sometimes, you think, “I wish I had a t-shirt that said ‘I direct deposit my tithe’ so people wouldn’t judge me.”
Sometimes, the stuff that comes with faith is funny. This is that stuff.
Jonathan Acuff’s Stuff Christians Like is your field guide to all things Christian. In it you’ll learn the culinary magic of the crock-pot. Think you’ve got a Metro worship leader—Use Acuff’s checklist. Want to avoid a prayer handholding faux pas? Acuff has you covered.
Like a satirical grenade, Acuff brings us the humor and honesty that galvanized 450,000 online readers from 199 countries in a new portable version. Welcome to the funny side of faith.
Kaylin's Birthday Banner... made by her Tia Kristina =)
"Mirror, Mirror on the wall..." Don't you just love the gloves? =)
"Wait a minute...."
It's a puppy! I don't think she realized just yet that it was all hers. lolThe truth is, I cannot dream God-sized dreams. I also cannot bear God-sized tragedies. Whether I am realizing dreams or dealing with the loss of them, I need the One who created me and loves me. Like the Moabitess, I can choose each day to cling to Him.
There is comfort in knowing the days of my life are numbered by Him. He knows all of the things I will not be. But really that's not so important. What is more important, is that He knows the things I will be. Things better than I could ever dream up.
Philippians 1:9-10 (New International Version)
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ..."
Sure, Michelle Obama can run around the country and condemn little fatties for inhaling Little Debbies, but if you try and apply that same helpful, healthful concept to sex, it’s seen as pushy and/or prudish.
Listen, one doesn’t need to be religious (nor a rocket scientist) to see the value of abstinence. Let’s disregard the immediately eliminated risk of increasingly popular STD’ and STI’s. Heck, let’s even discount the statistical data showing that sexual exclusivity seems overwhelmingly conducive to a successful marriage .Abstinence also provides an incomparable bond of trust in a relationship.
Yes, I admit it, I’m in a long-term relationship and I’m abstinent. Scandalous, I know. It’s an incredibly difficult thing to do (mostly for me, because she’s way out of my league), and that’s what makes it so important.
I can tell you beyond any doubt, that my lady is able to control herself and stick to her values regardless of circumstance. Just as surely, she can say the same about me (Ben&Jerry’s benders notwithstanding). It is that display of self-control, that tangible example of living your principles through your life’s walk that ensures her that I won’t be jumping on the first well-proportioned opportunity that comes my way.
By the same token, I can rest easy knowing that my dame won’t be trying to bed Jersey Shore’s “The Situation” anytime soon. -- Though he does have great abs.
Strong trust is the result. Constantly we hear cries of women aimed at their supposedly overly jealous boyfriends, “What’s the matter? Don’t you trust me?”
No, he doesn’t. You slept with him on the first date and there is no reason for him to think that you wouldn’t do the same when a better offer comes along.
Your family wants you to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ not to get married to the right girl, but to make sure they see you in Heaven one day. They love you. You need the Lord so you can learn to put Him first and to put other people before yourself. You are not ready to marry anyone until you can start putting God first and the needs of other before your own. I personally want to marry a man who loves God with all his heart and serves others. That's REAL love.
20. Alexandra said the following at 9:24 PM on Sep 15:
Just ran into an old friend I hadn't seen for a while. She's about my age (30) and single, like me. We chatted and then she said, "so, seeing anyone; any changes in that department?" "Nope, I'm 'seeking first the kingdom,'" I said, smiling in a semi-insane way.
She almost died laughing. I think I'm going to start a new women's ministry called "Seeking First the Kingdom Club". It's for never-married women past 28. Sounds better than "old maids til the rapture" I guess.
SFK club represent!! Here is our cheer.
We're content!
Content just how we are!
We like men a lot!
But most of them are already married!
Or not as obsessed with Jesus as we are!
In the old days we'd be nuns!
But we're Protestant!
And we'd like to have sex and kids someday!
But only within the God-honoring context of marriage!
So we're kind of stuck!
But very, very content!
Seeking first, Seeking first, Seeking first the kingdom ofGod!!!
19. kaj said the following at 8:47 PM on Sep 15:
[...]
I challenge the married and dating people (and other singles as well) out in Boundless-Land: What are you doing to facilitate contentedness in your single friends?
Have you invited them to your home so they can enjoy a home-cooked meal, with a generous side order of fellowship, thus rescuing them from another mundane drive-through fast-food dinner?
I was hungry and you fed Me.
Have you invited them to grab some coffee (or whatever beverage suits you,) and find out about their life, such as their job or their hobbies?
I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink.
Have you reached out to the newbie loitering in the church lobby, or maybe see someone sitting alone in a restaurant and said, "Hi, we are [names]; come join us?"
I was a stranger and you took Me in.
How about inviting an apartment-dwelling single to a day of free laundry at your house, where they won't have to worry about an evil "quarter-munching monster" and have time to talk between the dark loads and the permanent press cycles?
I was naked and you clothed Me.
Maybe they just need a shoulder to cry on, with no overworn clichés about being single (or what it would take to no longer be single). Perhaps you know a single person who is just brokenhearted and just needs to know someone who cares. Maybe (as appropriate), just a hug would do.
I was sick and you visited Me.
Or, perhaps, there's some single person who doesn't know where to go to enjoy fellowship and community, but you know where a bunch of your friends are hanging out, such as your neighbor's annual backyard cookout. The single person now has an excuse to "get out of the house."
I was in prison and you came to Me.
Maybe some singles exude an air of desperation or "discontentedness" because there are legitimate needs that haven't been met yet.
There has to be some things people of the Body of Christ can do to alleviate the struggles singles face: loneliness (some, for many reasons, don't even have a dog or a cat to come home to, Ashley in comment #7), physical needs (moving furniture, simple car repairs or résumé proofreading, perhaps?), or other things a couple (courting/dating, engaged, or married) might take for granted.
Then, perhaps, those "desperate-looking" singles won't appear so "desperate" anymore, because they have people who cared for them both in word and deed.
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.
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