Fear

There is a lot of talk in the recent days about fear. The kind that is caused by what people hear and interpret as a real threat. The Paris attacks and the days afterwards has set off a lot of fear.  I mean have you been afraid more so than after possibly the 9/11 attacks?  Do you remember the initial reaction you had? I do. Listened to intermittent reports that the manager of our group had the tv setup for us to hear.  Tried to work. Tried not to think about it especially after all those people lost their lives. I was suppose to go to Pittsburgh the next week.  With all the flights grounded for an unknown period, our plans became conference calls. That was a relief but at the same time what if I did have to go... Would there be another attack, would there be another 9/11? 

We, as Christians are suppose to have faith, to trust God, to believe in the best of people. But we don't live in a perfect world. The world is broken but God created us before the world became broken. He said I haven't given you a spirit of fear but of sound mind and judgement(a).   We have His spirit living in us. The fear is from the fall of mankind. But once we accept Christ,  the fear should be turned into Trust. We should trust God is still in control even when it doesn't seem like it. We should believe His word, take it for face value. We shouldn't let our doubt cloud our judgement.

We should be ever watching and waiting. We should not be deceived.

In the last days there will be many saying look there he is,  but he will not be there (b)

A“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

http://bible.com/72/2ti.1.7.hcsb

B ““If anyone tells you then, ‘Look, here is the Messiah! ’ or, ‘Over here! ’ do not believe it! False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Take note: I have told you in advance. So if they tell you, ‘Look, He’s in the wilderness! ’ don’t go out; ‘Look, He’s in the inner rooms! ’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the carcass is, there the vultures will gather.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:23-28‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

http://bible.com/72/mat.24.23-28.hcsb

The church in me

Needless to say, I am really disappointed with my church and life group. Especially my life group. I have yet to attend any of the new fall gatherings because I am disappointed. After surgery and 5+months of still not being able to walk,  not one call or home visit.  I am thinking, am in the right life? And am I in the right church?

Life. God did not intend us to walk through life alone. He did not intend for us to be singled out, isolated, tossed aside. He meant for our relationships to mimic the relationship that we have with Him. A close personal interactive relationship.

So why do most people feel disconnected from society? Or even worse swept up into the wrong crowds, or organizations. The Bible is clear. But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!
2 Timothy 3:1-5 HCSB
http://bible.com/72/2ti.3.1-5.HCSB

A word of wisdom. If these are the types of people that are in your life, you should find another group to be involved with, another church, another organization. Yes, I am speaking to myself as well. But, what do you think?

Life today not tomorrow

Sorry it's been so long. Between a move,  surgery,  and the long recovery from surgery (5+months and counting),  I would say that this post is long overdue.  Moved about 20 minutes from my job,  which worked out for me.  Surgery was elective to repair damage from a broken ankle 10+ years ago.  Recovery was going good until I put weight on it and end up with stress fractures (yes you can say ouch).

I am truly blessed to have my life. However,  today my heart is heavy for those who are going to be laid off at my work. Especially since we don't know how far this cut will take us and how long before another round will occur. It will be sad to see many coworkers let go during this downturn in the energy sector (I won't get into the political side saving that for Twitter).

I leave you with a word. Faith.
Faith in God is the only thing that can either make you or break you.  It is at times of trial that your faith in Christ should shine even brighter. It is times of despair that the only name on the tongue should be Christ. Not in cursing but in reaching out. The lips can say a name so casually but the heart and mind holds the truth.

For those wondering around looking for a reason to hope,  He is there.  There is a popular song with the words, "say my name,  say my name"  He is waiting with baited breath for you to say His name.

GPS Directions

With today's technology, we can get everywhere by just punching in some coordinates, putting in an address, or saying the name of a business.  Can we be sure that we get there?  Most of the time, but I can think of a few misguided maps of a populate phone product that took us off course.  

How can we be sure of where life takes us though?  Are we following God's word?  Are we doing what He says?  It's sad to say that we all have doubts.  We all try to live by faith.  We all want to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  But sometimes we just don't.  

On Sunday, my church had a guest speaker who compared a GPS directional device to that of God's word.  Yes, that's right.  But not in the way you might think.  You see God's word is never wrong.  It can never misdirect you.  It will never return with a purpose.  There is never a reason for things to happen the way that they do.  He stated that once he was driving and trusted the GPS to take him where he was suppose to go.  Then God said to him, 'Jorge, you trust a GPS, but you won't trust me at My Word?"  How many times I have done this myself.  How many times have I known the direction but failed to take it.  How many times have I failed God.  Too many to count.  

God's GPS - aka Jesus - can live in our hearts and try to tell us what to do.  We the stubborn people that we are, tend not to listen to those words of Jesus.  We block them out or run screaming down the halls with fingers in our ears going, 'I can't hear you, lalalala.'    Funny that we did that as children and still do it today as adults, only this time it's to something much greater than our childhood playmates.  It's to God.  How stubborn can we be....apparently pretty darn stubborn.  

As I step out in faith, I listen.  Faith.  And a willing heart.  One that is open and ready to listen to him when he speaks.  Ready to act.  

Frustration.

Have you ever been so frustrated that you feel like crying.  Yep that's me too.  It seems like when there is a trial, it always comes when things look bright and cheery.  Frustrated, angry, disappointment,  all wrapped up in a pretty package ready to be unwrapped.  Just hand it to me lets get this over with.  To our shock and surprise, the present isn't a present.  It's that moment, you say awe, you shouldn't have.   But they did and you fight back tears.   Praying that the emotions don't show on your face.  Trying not to be angry in your disappointment.  Trying to hold it together.

What lesson is in this for me?  Gulp.  I gasp for air as I try to breathe.  Every time you think about it, the emotions come back to the surface.  Seriously, Lord, what lesson is in this.

This morning I received the answer from the previous day's questions.  The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. (Psalms 23:1 NLT). But that's not all, a devotions that reinforced. Key was "insert my name" trust me, I know what's best. -GOD 

Don't we serve an awesome God!

Hardening of the Heart

It's a hard thing when you loss something you love. The lost pet, the loved one, the favorite toy. But as we get older the loss becomes more bearable. We become accustomed to loss. That is what I experienced today. The child becoming a little more hardened by the death of her cat. I practically had to force her to look for her in the first place, but I gained more insight into why today. 

We a Christians suffer from the same thing. A hardening of our heart due to loss of relationships, friendships, divorce, loss of anything really. Gods reality though is he can fix it. He is God almighty. All powerfully, all knowing, healer, redeemer, master of everything.

Don't let a hardening of the heart bind you mind, but be in constant communication with God as part of the renewing of your spirit. Let God renew you mind and bring you to peace.

My disappearance

One day I will go away

And you will say, where did she go

They will explain me away

But chaos will ensue

You will say in your heart 

Now I know she was right

But it will be too late

One day there will come a man

He will say all is well

There will be peace once again

You will be greatly deceived

He will continually say, it's okay

In your heart, you will know

You must believe in the only one

Who can come a take it away

One day you will say 

Oh God, take this away

He will only be able to say

My child, I gave you bread today

This mark you must obey

In order to see another day

One day we will say

Oh God, save us today

All our troubles will go away

As we sing praises all day

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