“I called on your name, Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief.” You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.””
Lamentations 3:55-57 NIV. http://bible.com/111/lam.3.55-57.niv
It is so easy to panic and overrun with despair. Our world is spiraling to the end times. In the past, I have laughed at others who have shared the same thoughts. I truly sense the end. I do not know how long the end will take. I do not fear it. In fact, I rejoice in the idea I will be seated with the God. Even though we are stuck in the depths of the pit , God is with us. He will deliver us. I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are being tortured and murdered. They are suffering directly for Christ. If we continue to call on the name of the Lord, we will be blessed. We will be protected. We will live in paradise. God is near! Praise God he is near!
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Monday, October 17, 2016
Sadness
“It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end he thrust them from his presence. Now Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.”
Jeremiah 52:3 NIV. http://bible.com/111/jer.52.3.niv
For the past month I have been studying the book of Jeremiah. I have to tell you, it's been a little depressing. I can't help but see all the parallels to my own country. I am so saddened by the complete rejection of God. I just read a facebook post of 28 popular celebrities that are devout atheists. I was saddened to hear Amy Grant's theology. It doesn't much look like my own. Yes, I am saddened our country is turning away from God. We are rebelling just like Jerusalem. We have turned our backs on the creator of all things. I fear the punishment of the Lord for our blatant, unrepented sin.
It's times like these we need to remain steadfast in the Lord. It's times like this we need to cling even tighter to our loving savior, lean on him, and trust in him. I praise God because he has promised to never forsake those that follow him. We need to focus on that Love while the world collapses all around us.
For the past month I have been studying the book of Jeremiah. I have to tell you, it's been a little depressing. I can't help but see all the parallels to my own country. I am so saddened by the complete rejection of God. I just read a facebook post of 28 popular celebrities that are devout atheists. I was saddened to hear Amy Grant's theology. It doesn't much look like my own. Yes, I am saddened our country is turning away from God. We are rebelling just like Jerusalem. We have turned our backs on the creator of all things. I fear the punishment of the Lord for our blatant, unrepented sin.
It's times like these we need to remain steadfast in the Lord. It's times like this we need to cling even tighter to our loving savior, lean on him, and trust in him. I praise God because he has promised to never forsake those that follow him. We need to focus on that Love while the world collapses all around us.
Friday, October 14, 2016
A nation divided
“This is what the LORD says: “Look! The enemy swoops down like an eagle, spreading his wings over Moab. Its cities will fall, and its strongholds will be seized. Even the mightiest warriors will be in anguish like a woman in labor. Moab will no longer be a nation, for it has boasted against the LORD.”
Jeremiah 48:40-42 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jer.48.40-42.nlt
I fear for our nation. Isn't it said "A nation divided can not stand!" Yes, I believe it was Abraham Lincoln, as he talked about the civil war, that rightly stated we can not survive apart. We are more divided now than ever before. I , maybe naively, thought Trump could unite us. I thought that his allegiance to no single ideology could bridge the divide. He isn't a strong republican and neither is he a democrat. He has taken stands that have been supportive of both parties. Somehow his personality has lit a firestorm and we are embroiled in minutia. His threat to the status quo was too much. An all out war has been declared by both sides to tear down the other. The American public are collateral damage. We accepted a president who had an affair and illicit sex while in the whitehouse, now it is the death nail for a candidate to have the same failures. We have had gangster rappers invited to share their craft and are completely appalled by private talk no different than those "hallowed" lyrics. I am disgusted by both sides. Our morality is gone. I agree we need a Godly man or woman in the leadership role in our country. We don't need a sexual maniac running our county. We also don't need a pathological Liar with complete hate for the opposition appointing Supreme Court justices. Unfortunately no Godly man or woman is on the ballot. They are not only both vehement sinners, they also both think they are not. They neither one could care about God. How can I say that? Just look at their actions. God fearing people don't do what they are doing. God help us!
I have complete disdain for the beliefs of 50% of our citizenry and that same 50% believes I'm deplorable, dumb, and irredeemable. 50% believe it's a sin for me to say all lives matter. 50% believe the unborn child is equal to an appendix. 50% believe God has no place in our daily lives. 50% hate that I define marriage between a man and woman. 50% hate me - a white, Christian, male and think I have been given undeserved success for my hard work, 50% believe the government knows best. Yes we are split, we are divided. Just like in THE CIVIL WAR, families are torn apart. Even some of my own "kin" say as much. Yes, we are in a civil war. Really, it's not very civil but it does look a lot like war. Shots have already been fired, casualties are pouring in. The battle lines have been drawn. Trenches are being dug. The fight will change us forever. The fight wouldn't even be necessary if we had not rejected the Lord. Now we face war because we have ignored God for so many years. We have turned from him and tried it alone. Doomed. Doomed. Doomed. We are all doomed. UNLESS..........
Sadness would overwhelm me except for one warm thought. This is not my country. I am just a tourist. My home is with Jesus and regardless how bad this civil war gets, I know where I will spend eternity and it's not in the USA. My joy can not be stolen. I can only hope and pray, Jesus returns soon. Come Lord Jesus. Until then our nation is divided and will fall. We are headed into the abyss.
Jeremiah 48:40-42 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jer.48.40-42.nlt
I fear for our nation. Isn't it said "A nation divided can not stand!" Yes, I believe it was Abraham Lincoln, as he talked about the civil war, that rightly stated we can not survive apart. We are more divided now than ever before. I , maybe naively, thought Trump could unite us. I thought that his allegiance to no single ideology could bridge the divide. He isn't a strong republican and neither is he a democrat. He has taken stands that have been supportive of both parties. Somehow his personality has lit a firestorm and we are embroiled in minutia. His threat to the status quo was too much. An all out war has been declared by both sides to tear down the other. The American public are collateral damage. We accepted a president who had an affair and illicit sex while in the whitehouse, now it is the death nail for a candidate to have the same failures. We have had gangster rappers invited to share their craft and are completely appalled by private talk no different than those "hallowed" lyrics. I am disgusted by both sides. Our morality is gone. I agree we need a Godly man or woman in the leadership role in our country. We don't need a sexual maniac running our county. We also don't need a pathological Liar with complete hate for the opposition appointing Supreme Court justices. Unfortunately no Godly man or woman is on the ballot. They are not only both vehement sinners, they also both think they are not. They neither one could care about God. How can I say that? Just look at their actions. God fearing people don't do what they are doing. God help us!
I have complete disdain for the beliefs of 50% of our citizenry and that same 50% believes I'm deplorable, dumb, and irredeemable. 50% believe it's a sin for me to say all lives matter. 50% believe the unborn child is equal to an appendix. 50% believe God has no place in our daily lives. 50% hate that I define marriage between a man and woman. 50% hate me - a white, Christian, male and think I have been given undeserved success for my hard work, 50% believe the government knows best. Yes we are split, we are divided. Just like in THE CIVIL WAR, families are torn apart. Even some of my own "kin" say as much. Yes, we are in a civil war. Really, it's not very civil but it does look a lot like war. Shots have already been fired, casualties are pouring in. The battle lines have been drawn. Trenches are being dug. The fight will change us forever. The fight wouldn't even be necessary if we had not rejected the Lord. Now we face war because we have ignored God for so many years. We have turned from him and tried it alone. Doomed. Doomed. Doomed. We are all doomed. UNLESS..........
Sadness would overwhelm me except for one warm thought. This is not my country. I am just a tourist. My home is with Jesus and regardless how bad this civil war gets, I know where I will spend eternity and it's not in the USA. My joy can not be stolen. I can only hope and pray, Jesus returns soon. Come Lord Jesus. Until then our nation is divided and will fall. We are headed into the abyss.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Getting caught up!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV. http://bible.com/111/jer.29.11.niv
I've been swamped lately. I just can't get ahead at school and at home. I have a break coming up on Friday. I'm looking forward to working from home and getting caught up.
Stress has a way of draining you. I am so thankful the Lord is my refuge where I can turn to when my life gets crazy busy. I can rest that he has a plan. He knows what I need and when I need it. He gives me time to get done the things he wants done. I just need to rest in him. Praise God for his marvelous and wonderful plans for my life! I love you Lord!
Friday, September 23, 2016
Repetition! Repetition! Repetition!
“For twenty-three years—from the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day—the word of the Lord has come to me and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened. And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention.”
Jeremiah 25:3-4 NIV. http://bible.com/111/jer.25.3-4.niv
I remember my Dad constantly telling me to shut off the lights. I have told my grandkids a hundred times to close the door. As a math teacher, I can't even count the number of times I talked about y=mx+b, the Pythagorean theorem, or pi r squared. I might have to repeat those things a hundred times in a week. It has taken 23 years in education to develop patience with my math students.
God feels the same way about me and you. What special message does he constantly repeat to you? For me it's the idea I don't have to be in control. I say I'm listening but in all honesty I need it repeated over and over again. Out of all the traits of my loving Heavenly Father his patience is most amazing. He has been so patient with me in all my stubbornness. I praise him for his love and that love shows up when he gently tells me not to worry. He shares this calming message every day, every hour and sometimes minute by minute. Thank You Lord!
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