I Ask Questions

I use to not ask the question of the answers I needed to know. I pondered many things inside of my mind and almost always held them within. It looked as though others already knew the answers so I never questioned why, what, when, or whom. I just kept it to myself and lived without the answers. If I couldn’t ask the question then, then I would read or research or just ask another privately when it was all said and done.

For all the years I was in school. That was how I functioned. I never asked questions, I just observed in my silence. As I became an adult I still maintained that silence. When I had my children who are the jewels of my life I began to question out loud. There were questions I no longer could go without the answers. I needed to know why I was the way I am and if this is the answer God wanted me to live. If I was living the answer then surely I could leave more answered questions to my children that could be placed down from generation to generation.

I have now gone “over the hill” past the fortieth line of life. I’ve been sliding down the hill for twenty years and hope to keep on sliding. I now ask the questions how, why, what, whom when and how. I need to know now for I don’t have enough time to wait and research it later. When I ask I try to ask the right questions to obtain the right answer. I no longer stand by question-less.

I ask, and I receive the answers. The one question that everyone should ask before you leave this earth is how can I be saved? The immediate answer to this is to accept the Lord as your personal Savior. Ask Jesus to cleanse you from your sin by saying this prayer. O Lord please forgive me for every sin I have sinned against you. Come into my life and make me the person you want me to be. Thank you Lord for saving me I am now your child. Now Lord I ask that you will help me live according to your Word. Amen.

Now that you have the answer, go to a church of your choice and get involved with serving Christ. As you grow go out and help others to find the answer to the most important question that needs to be answered.

Order My Steps

Confusion, confusion, there’s lots of confusion in the world today. There are a lot of people who seem to live in a constant state of disarray, confusion and no boundaries. Structure is not a part of their daily routine. “Fly by the seat of their pants” is how they live in that they don’t use progressive well thought out plans to govern their life’s choices.
As you look back to different situations in your life did you encounter people who hadn’t seemed to work with a plan in mind? Organization didn’t show up most of the time and order totally lost its way. The steps taken often landed on shaky ground and the foot could slip at any given monument. There were times when there were holes you fell into because others failed to build a bridge or provide a covering to avoid the pitfall. Many times this took place because things were done out of order.
How do we get back to ordering our lives? If we look at order biblically it tells us in I Corinthians 14:33 (NASB) “33 for God is not a God of confusion but peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” Peace is a result or product of living with ordered steps. Confusion makes your steps unsure and hazardly. Looking for peace? Order your steps! I Corinthians 14:40 says” 40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.”
Order allows you to come and go properly in sequential order. When you take life out of order, it doesn’t give you much to look for when you’ve done things before their time. A classic example of misguided order is teen pregrnancy. They skip marriage, relationships, youth and developmental processes, needed to give them a semblance of clarity for a full life. They propel themselves into adult responsibilities before they are mature enough to know the vastness of life itself. If they would have done life properly and in an orderly manner, then life would not have become so overwhelming. Their out of order sequence caused them to function in an off -beat rhythm. That’s how their life became unbalanced.
To restore your balance you will need to order your steps by living in a proper manner. Living the stages of life the way they were intended to be lived according to the Word of God. Find ways to live among people with the least amount of friction establishing a good reputation, character, honesty and integrity. Do what is right for you and others so that when you lay your head down at night you will rest in peace. Put your business affairs in order and keep them current. Owe as little as possible to man but owe your life and how you live it to God.
Ordering your steps requires intentional effort and lots of energy. Once you have spent that energy you will find that you will be renewed again and again to walk in God’s ordered steps.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9

The Healing

It was spring cleaning time and I set out to do some deep cleaning. I came across a stack of cards that had been sitting for a while and decided to take a look at the stack to determine where their final destination might be. As I sat and began to read I noticed my feelings began to come forth. I guess I didn’t realize how far I had come in the way I looked at life. A few years ago I had made up my mind that I would not let people and the havoc they could bring in my life and others get to me anymore.
I decided to care with only a minimum affect on where I was. I would not let people hurt me anymore nor would I spend a large amount of time trying to figure them out. If someone hurt, let them hurt. If someone had trauma in their life I would not enter in their emotional stress. I built a wall that was a safer way for me to exist. I had so much mess going on in my life that I needed a way to escape. This was the easiest way for me for I felt that God had turned His back on me and He would get to me when He did. Since I had no hope that God would acknowledge my pain anytime soon, I needed to have some relief from my strife.
Now don’t get me wrong, I prayed and went to church continued in my ministry, and I looked as though I was living a victorious Christian life. People in general do not take special note of each other unless they are doing something way out of the ordinary. Since I looked normal and was not causing people to look at me with concern on their face, they naturally assumed that I was doing just fine. Nothing was further from the truth. I was in a holding pattern self-inflicted. I could not move forward or backward.
For a while I felt that I had made the right decision. I would not cry or feel or re-act to adversity. It happened; I looked, observed but did not respond to whatever the situation. I just went on through my daily life on automatic pilot. This was what I did for several years as I felt if I had any more pain it would surely cause me to consider ending my life as it was. If I was going to make it, something had to change. I suppose that was not the best decision but at the time there was no one whom I felt I could go to too hear me and understand what I was feeling. At the time I talked to God only. I wasn’t sure if He was listening but I went with what I knew to do.
As I got to my middle fifties I began to cry again. I could feel pain and joy just by watching a program on TV or a movie that I may or may not had seen before. This happen several times before I realized that I was responding that way. I’d asked myself when I took note why are you crying, or why do you let that bother you. Perhaps I was beginning to heal from some of my deep seeded pain. Maybe by keeping in touch with God through reading His word and praying helped me to stay grounded although that was not my primary focus. I just wanted relief from all the pain.
I am into the fourth month of being sixty. Just as I entered being sixty, I once again encountered physical sickness. I received many cards with prayers and thoughts for a swift recovery. I was given love and care. As I read the cards again with better appreciation for the thoughts penned to me I felt love as my eyes began to tear. Good I said to myself you’re allowing God to bring you out of the highly built wall of I don’t care. Its okay to feel and respond healthily to what’s going on inside of you. The cards read that people wanted for me what I wanted for them in the every day.
I was in the hearts and prayers that they were sending my way. One card summed it all up for me and made me thankful that I could feel God’s love shown to me through others. The card read: “To celebrate your birthday means to celebrate your life. I celebrate your faith that reaches out to him, Your love that reaches out to others, your character that the Lord’s hands have shaped to be an expression of His grace, and your heart that is fixed upon Him and is tender to His ways.” Another card said “Because you listen, because you understand, times spent with you are special to me- They’re times I will treasure, as I treasure you. These words went straight to my heart as I knew that God feels the same way about me as I strive to do His will.
My wall has begun to crumble not as fast as the walls of Jericho, but nevertheless they will fall. God will receive the glory. I have the sweet assurance of His constant love and care. I now know that He will give me encouragement to refresh me, and strength to renew me and healing to restore me.
“Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed… for you are the one I praise.”
JEREMIAH 17:14 NIV

The World Goes On

I was watching a movie star today on TV when I heard her say the world goes on even when I want to get off for a while. She had just lost her father not to long ago and wanted to stop what she was doing and spend some time grieving her lost, but her lifestyle did not give her the opportunity to do so.
No matter what goes on in your life, the world does not pause and wait for you to catch up. When trials come upon you such as death, heartache, betrayals, sickness and any other hardships we tend to look at others and not comprehend why they are so lively. Can't they see that I'm hurting? Stop, look at me I need to be comforted! When we see people from day to day we may never know what is going on inside of them and we very seldom stop to ask what it is. We don't know how many of them are ready to jump off this twirling world.

The lost of a loved one often propels us to this state of mind. The sorrow of everyday living is personified to us through the death of a significant person in our lives. It causes us to stop and take inventory of our own life. Sorrow and grief take on a new life and we begin to look at the decisions we have made that have a significant impact on us and those who live in our world. We look at the "what ifs."
We begin to weave a cocoon around our grief and feel as though no one understands where we are. This is when we want the world to stop so that we can get off for just a little while.

Day to day happenings still go on such as you have a job to go to, they only give you so many days off to grieve and then you must return and perform as if you never had a lost of any kind. You received the cards and flowers and the comforting phrases, but life had to go on. After a couple of weeks everyone expects life to return to normalcy. The world goes on in spite of what you are feeling or going through.

The world goes on whether you are happy or sad. We all have days that we wish we could stop the rotation. When we are happy, we want to stop the world on its axis so that the feeling will never go away. We want to bask in the goodness of the moment. When we are sad we want to stop get off, feel better, stop being responsible for a short time, then hop back on. But, we know that this is not going to happen as the world still goes on either way.

Because the world goes on no matter which way things happen, we must learn to cope with the different situations that may crop up in our lives. One way to cope is to have a grounding factor in your life that never changes. Now you say to yourself that there is nothing in this life that never changes. There is only this one thing that never changes and that is the love of Jesus and how He'll always love you. This love will always be available to you if you choose to accept it and even if this world goes on without you the love of Jesus never stops for you get to live with Him forever once you have left this world.

Seek Him now while He may be found. The world only offers temporary solutions to life's ups and downs. Yes the world goes on with or without us. Make your time here count by becoming a child of God. Accept Jesus as your personal savior and become a part of His kingdom which transcends this world as it goes on.

When Change Is No Longer An Option

My pastor shared a book with me by Long and Chand. The title is Rechurch. This book had six key facts that we should put into practice in our daily walk when a change is needed. A change that is needed to transform our way of handling our business.

Let's look at the first fact: Pre-contemplation. Pre-contemplation often starts with a dream a thought that has taken root in your head and refuses to go away. It's like a song that you keep singing, but wish you could stop singing. No matter what you do the thought remains and becomes an intricate part of your thinking. As the process festers, you slowly move to the contemplative stage.

Contemplation propels you to talk to someone intelligently about the thoughts that have become a constant companion. You begin to make sense of why you can't get these thoughts out of your head. Perhaps there is a purpose a reason for them to have found a resting place in your head. The thoughts begin to take shape. Something you can focus on and bring to fruition. Ideas flow and a picture comes into view as if you were painting like an artist working on a masterpiece. Your imagination soars as you make the choice to do something with your thoughts.

Now that the Decision is made a plan is formulated. You begin to assign words, sentences, paragraphs and for some pages of what your project should look like. The sharing of the plan when presented to others affirms the direction you're going in. Because of those affirmations you move closer to the completion of your thoughts. It's time to put your plan in action.

Action requires you doing something. Not sitting down with your feet propped up waiting for something to happen on its own. For some, action is seeking out people, places, knowledge, finances and whatever it takes to make the plan go forth. You must take action to do something if you want your plan to take flight. Give your plans wings so it can soar in the clouds of your imagination.

When you have done the first four key factors then you move to Follow-through. Here is where you determine what needs to be sustained. Follow-through must be a repeated process. It makes the process doable but not to the point that it becomes institutionalized. In order not to become just doers and maintenance people you must Re-contemplate what you have done.

Re-contemplation requires revisiting your dreams, your goals your plans. You will need to determine if what you started out doing is still working, needs to be changed or tweaked. Here is where you ask the real questions. This is the time to strategize, find out how to bring about a change that will maximize your original dreams.

Finally we should look at Re-contemplating by Re-tooling, Re-structuring, Re-ordering, Re-covering and then Re-connecting. This book has 68 short pages that are packed with information that can help you move forward in your life as well as your church life. I encourage you to go on a reading journey and as you unpack each garment of truth when you return; apply the principles so that you will be well on your way to Re-tooling your life.

By Invitation Only

In the mail a couple of weeks ago I received an invitation to a wedding from someone in my distant family. Will I go, probably not for I don't have a clue as to who they are. I just know they are part of my extended family, but I was still invited. My assumption was that they wanted me to attend and celebrate in one of their lives important events.

When people send out invitations they are asking you to be a participant in the special events of their lives. The events are generally made up of people whom you have relationships with and have created a bond. You want them to share in your most precious memories to live over and over again as you reminisce with fond thoughts. You were invited because you were important enough in the invitee's life to be asked to commemorate this special ocassion with them.

As you live your life you will receive several invitations. It will be your choice to decide to accept or decline. Whether the invite comes from a family memeber or close friends you determine by choice whether you will be a part of their celebration. A very important choice is made in your life when God invites you to be a part of His royal family.

Jesus said "I stand at the door and knock." He gives an open invitation for you to come in and sup with Him, to become a heir in His family, His kingdom. The invitation is open at any given time of your life. The offer always stand as Jesus stands at the door to your heart seeking entrance. You must personally invite Jesus to come in. He accepts your invitation only when you address it to Him. He opens the invitation with much joy and gladly celebrate with the heavenly host.

Do not expect Jesus to come and be a guest in your life unless you have personally invited Him in. In order to be a part of His kingdom you must first issue the invitation. Jesus comes by invitation only. He never crashes the party. Jesus said "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Rev. 3:20 NIV

You will be invited to weddings, birthday parties, special events that honors a person's accomplishments, anniversaries, graduation and many other forms of festive occassions. The reason you attend is because you are personally invited. Extend that same invitation to Jesus so that He can be a participant in every aspect of your life.

Remember Jesus will not force His way into your life. He comes by invitaion only.


09-13-09

Wise Advice

Have you ever heard of Jethrogation? In the book of Exodus chapter 18: verses 13-24, the story reads how Moses in a conversation with his father-in-law realized that he was facing burn out. As his father-in-law observed the many duties that Moses performed for the Israelites, he saw that Moses would soon be over burdened. Moses was doing too much alone.

Moses felt the need to listen to the people all day with very little breaks. The lines were long and the problems he listened to were many. Moses explained to Jethro how the people came to him to seek God's guidance. When conflict arose, Moses was the person who they came to to settle the case. He was the one who informed the people of God's decision and further teach them God's instructions. Moses felt responsible for the people he was leading.

As Jethro listened to his son-in-law he informed him that this was not a good place to be. It was time for him to re-think how he was conducting business. Moses needed to have a better plan, a plan that would allow him some time for his family. Moses' family, his wife and two children lived with Jethro. Moses was a busy man ministering to the Israelites. He was so busy that he had left the responsibilities of providing for his family to Jethro.

In his wisdom Jethro decided to present Moses with his family again and give him wise counsel as to how to keep his family a priority. Jethro proceeded to tell Moses that the job was to heavy for him to handle alone. Jethro offered Moses a word of advice with the blessings of God. Jethro proceeded to tell Moses that he should continue to be the people's representative before God. Tell them God's decisions, teach them God's laws and instructions and show them how to conduct their lives.

The next statement that Jethro made freed Moses to minister to all with the help of some. Jethro told Moses"find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups. These people will serve the people resolving day to day ordinary cases. Lighten your load."

These judges helped Moses carry the load. "If you follow this advice and if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures and all these people will go home in peace." Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions. The key word is that Moses Listened, then he followed through with the wise advice given to him. His family life was restored to him and his father-in-law was able to return to his home. Jethro's mission was accomplished and God's will was done by Moses listening to the wise advice of his father-in-law.

Wise advice is given at different seasons of our lives. Following this wise advice blesses us and those who we come in contact with. It helps us to gain a proper perspective of where we fit in the scheme of life itself. Wise advice allows us to be grounded and to choose with wisdom the proper battle to fight. Choose wisely who you listen to and whose advice you take.

09-20-09

Other One Giving

Peace on earth good will towards men” is a phrase that is said so many times that it is hard to keep count during the holiday season. During Christmas season you hear the songs with this sentiment everywhere; in stories, in cars, in malls, on the radio, homes and many churches.
When we worship from Sunday to Sunday we hope that those who come into the sanctuary in turmoil will leave with “Peace on Earth.”

“Peace on earth good will towards men” is this just a seasonal thing that we do or should this be a year round happening? Do we all seek to live in peace on this earth and have good will towards men in spite of how they react or respond to you? Peace brings about calm to a tumultuous happening. Peace is calm response; eternal rest (after death); free of strife or discord; harmony in personal relationship, especially with God.

Most of us would love to live free of strife or discord and would like to stay that way until we come to an eternal rest, which is death upon this earth. While we are on this earth we seek to have harmony in our personal relationships but should diligently pursue an up close and personal relationship with God our heavenly Father.

“That brings us to good will towards men.” How do we show that? Good means kind, profitable, excellent, and morally right. Properly partnered with will which is decision-making capacity, indicating a power of choice then together they give us the power of choice to act kindly at all times to be morally right and kind to others year round and not just seasonally. When we make goodwill a non-stop process then the gospel message becomes profitable to you and others who have received the peace on earth and good will towards men at all times.

The next time you use this greeting, song or phrase, remember that Peace on earth good will towards men is not seasonal; it’s the way we all should live our daily lives.

12-20-09

The Gifting

“Tis the season to be jolly, Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.” How many times did you hear that tune this holiday season during the Christmas celebration as you decked the halls with your various decorations? This is the season that from, midnight of Thanksgiving we go into a shopping frenzy to buy gifts for friends or love ones and sometimes use this time to buy a gift or two for ourselves. It’s probably one of the world’s greatest times of giving. We sometimes give to those who we don’t particularly like or even know just because of the Christmas season. There are many who give to their employers and employees because it’s just expected regardless of how we feel about them. Not a lot of thought is placed on the gift and very little sentiment is wrapped within.

As gifts are opened on Christmas, the reactions come in a vast array of emotions from young children to the oldest adult. From screams of glee to humph! The gifts emotional language is short lived. For some the gift is placed down quickly only to open the next one to receive a greater or lesser reaction. Most gifts bring only temporary satisfaction. Sometimes because a person receives a gift they look forward to more and more and more; therefore the satisfaction quota is hard to fill. Because the quota is so hard to fill, the gifting process becomes an event they don’t look forward to. After so many years the gifting becomes a duty, an obligation an ok I’ll do it because it’s expected event. It’s done without any more feelings and the pleasure of giving has been hidden.

One may ask the question: How do I re-birth my gifting? How do I return to being jolly for the season where I could sing Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la again with joy in my heart? I first should look to the greatest gift to receive. The greatest and best gift should be given to you first; that is the gift of Salvation. Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior the ultimate gifting. Accepting the gift that was given to the world during the birth of Jesus is the gift that keeps on giving. God gave his only begotten son as a gift to us to take away the sins of the world. The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is a gift that keeps on giving throughout eternity. It never loses its ability to satisfy the hunger of our souls. It manifests itself through having an intimate relationship first with Jesus and then those who we encounter during our lifetime.

As you give your loved ones a gift this year and not only at Christmas, consider giving them the gift of communication. Make it a habit to talk and interact and fellowship with them. Become more active in their lives and allow the same for you as well. Give them the gift of presence being there when necessary and when needed but also just because you care and want to be there for them. Give them the gift of touch. A handshake, a touch on the shoulder or a hug to show you’re special to me. Give them a touch of warmth just because you’re you.

Think of other ways you can give not only in material things but in ways that will always bring about fond memories when others think of you. Gifting is very important and the reasoning behind it as well. Let your gifting be a blessing to the receiver and then pass the goodness on to those who you encounter during your life.

SPW

12-06-09