Pastor and author Vance Havener once wrote that more lies are told over a hymnbook than any other place. How often have I sung the hymns in church because that's what was being done at the time? Knowing the hymns by heart doesn't really mean they're in my heart and changing it. Sad. Since I've read Havener's comment, I've made every effort to pay attention to what's being sung. Setting truth to music is to benefit the believer and zoning out is not only losing the benefits, it makes me a liar.
Not long ago, Ravi Zacharias made the comment that our relationship with Jesus Christ affects all of us, including our emotions. In fact, Luke 2:52 says that Jesus grew "in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." His intellect grew, He grew physically, He grew spiritually, and socially. Campus Crusade for Christ taught me that it's important for those four areas to grow in order to be healthy. Dr. Widder, professor at Moody Bible Institute, taught that when all of those areas are in sync, emotional health is stable as well.
Zacharias stated firmly several times he was not talking about frenzied emotional acts that passes for worship, but a deep response to who God is and what He's done. If that deep response is absent, there's something wrong with my relationship. His words convicted me, like Vance Havener's writing.
It sent me on a search for the Lord with my whole heart. I felt that my first love had grown cold, like the Lord had accused the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:4. My relationship was restored and refreshed by the Lord. It was nothing I did, except search for Him wholeheartedly. It started Sunday morning when my granddaughter and I attended Easter Sunday service at the large Baptist church we had attended the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The orchestra began the service by playing a medley of Easter hymns. I can't even tell you which ones now, but it brought tears to my eyes.
I like this particular church that we visit. They are a huge church of thousands and 2, maybe 3 services each Sunday. This has never been the type of church we're accustomed to attending or joining. The church we belong to now is less than 200, but it's family and truth is being preached. It's also a church that sings hymns and Gospel songs rather than choruses. Going into a huge church means the music is going to be different. There's no hymn books. Power point means that singing is "Off the wall" according to one man. Since I'm unaccustomed to the music, it's hard to join in.
This particular church, however, has a pastor who loves the old hymns and at least one is sung during the service. It makes the music more meaningful to me. It enhances worship. This particular pastor also preaches truth. His Easter message was a strong sermon on how to be sure we truly know Christ. The message and the final song continued the powerful emotions that were coursing through me. I doubt anyone knew what was going on in my heart and that, to me, is the way it should be. It was worship that God knew and that's all that's important.
But, that service was in Jacksonville and it may be months before we get back there. Even here at home, services are not ongoing. I am not putting down my own church. Truth is preached and hymns are sung. Unfortunately, 200 or less singing is not quite so amazing as 2,000. Obviously, there's more to life than attending church and singing hymns, so how do I nourish that first love in everyday life in Sebastian?
Enter the internet. Over a year ago, I mentioned to a friend that the Christmas song, "Ten Thousand Joys" is the most beautiful Christmas carol I ever heard, but I only got to hear it once. My friend said to pull it up on youtube and listen to it at home. Well, duh. I did as she suggested and will each Christmas God leaves me here on earth. Unfortunately, until yesterday, I never thought to take that advice for other hymns.
Now, as well as spending time in prayer and Bible reading, I listen to heavenly voices lifting praise to the Lord and my spirit is nourished. I don't have to listen to the news, to the bickering, the lies, the rudeness, the vulgarity. Thank you, Lord.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Thursday, March 17, 2016
What's my problem?
Those who know me, have seen me, and stuck with me, have done so through thick and thin. I've been gaining and losing weight since is was 13 years old. Each time I lose, I am so confident it's the last time I'll have to endure that and before long, I'm back where I started. Of course, over the years, the number on the scale has climbed higher and higher.
I've always known obesity is sin because food becomes my idol. If I'm not dieting, I eat everything in sight. If I am dieting, I'm obsessing about what I can eat, when, and how much. I'm a comfort eater, an anger eater, a frustration eater, a social eater, an "it's time to eat" eater. I've even said I eat anything that doesn't bite back. But, it's no joke. It makes me miserable and consumed with guilt at being such a failure.
But, God is so faithful. Sunday, Ravi Zacharias spoke about guilt being very destructive to love. He used the illustration of a brother and sister. The brother had a large bag of marbles and his sister had a bag of candy. He asked if she wanted to swap and she agreed. Before the swap, he discovered he had several very good marbles he decided he'd keep. She'd never know. That night, after the swap, she slept like a baby, but he didn't sleep a wink. Why? He kept worrying that she'd not given him all her candy. He ended his message asking if we're suffering from guilt, what have we not surrendered to the Lord?
Next came the pastor's message on I Thessalonians 5:23-24. "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it." Pastor pointed out that the spirit guides the soul (intellect, will, emotions) and the soul guides the body.
All these years, I've been doing it backwards. I've believed getting the body under control will help the emotions and that will make me feel better spiritually. NOT. Years ago, Pastor said we experience God in our spirit, express God in our soul, and exhibit God in our body. And it never happens backward. We cannot become Christians by good works and Christian talk if the spirit has not been quickened. (Ephesians 2:1) I've known that about salvation, but never thought about it in regard to my weight.
Monday, I saw my neurologist. I'd gained another 6 pounds in 3 months. I explained to him I was searching for intrinsic motivation and diets are extrinsic. That's why they fail. They "do nothing to restrain sensual indulgence." (Colossians 2:23)
Yesterday, I was reading "God's Smuggler" with one of the students. Brother Andrew tells of his lessons on faith while he was in school for missions. The school was 100% by faith and naturally, finances were a challenge. At one point, Brother Andrew was looking in gutters for pennies. It made him realize that it wasn't about money, it was about relationship. When he worked at the chocolate factory, he expected to be paid for his work and he was. He had to trust the Lord to meet his needs just like the factory paid him for his work. That made me wonder if I've been obedient to the Lord, expecting Him to meet my needs instead of basing it on love-on relationship. Christianity is not about quid pro quo. Was I trying hard to be at a normal weight to prove I was in a right relationship with Him, rather than a right relationship with Him controlling my weight? What part of Matthew 6:33 did I not understand? "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you."
This morning, Sarah Young said, "Trying not to think about something is usually ineffective and counterproductive. The effort to stop think about the matter keeps you chained to those thoughts. However, you can beak free by focusing your attention on Me and what I'm doing in your life." Jesus Today page 71. Seeking God's Presence instead of wondering what I'm going to fix for dinner, my allotment of protein and carbs, what that new treat would taste like, etc, has been more fulfilling. Jesus said He came to give us abundant life and I've missed so much by seeking abundance in the kitchen or my appearance. Dieting or gorging-and there's never been a middle ground-has been all about the food.
Above all, I'm grateful that He promises "The One Who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." I know me and I know I can't do it without Him.
I've always known obesity is sin because food becomes my idol. If I'm not dieting, I eat everything in sight. If I am dieting, I'm obsessing about what I can eat, when, and how much. I'm a comfort eater, an anger eater, a frustration eater, a social eater, an "it's time to eat" eater. I've even said I eat anything that doesn't bite back. But, it's no joke. It makes me miserable and consumed with guilt at being such a failure.
But, God is so faithful. Sunday, Ravi Zacharias spoke about guilt being very destructive to love. He used the illustration of a brother and sister. The brother had a large bag of marbles and his sister had a bag of candy. He asked if she wanted to swap and she agreed. Before the swap, he discovered he had several very good marbles he decided he'd keep. She'd never know. That night, after the swap, she slept like a baby, but he didn't sleep a wink. Why? He kept worrying that she'd not given him all her candy. He ended his message asking if we're suffering from guilt, what have we not surrendered to the Lord?
Next came the pastor's message on I Thessalonians 5:23-24. "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it." Pastor pointed out that the spirit guides the soul (intellect, will, emotions) and the soul guides the body.
All these years, I've been doing it backwards. I've believed getting the body under control will help the emotions and that will make me feel better spiritually. NOT. Years ago, Pastor said we experience God in our spirit, express God in our soul, and exhibit God in our body. And it never happens backward. We cannot become Christians by good works and Christian talk if the spirit has not been quickened. (Ephesians 2:1) I've known that about salvation, but never thought about it in regard to my weight.
Monday, I saw my neurologist. I'd gained another 6 pounds in 3 months. I explained to him I was searching for intrinsic motivation and diets are extrinsic. That's why they fail. They "do nothing to restrain sensual indulgence." (Colossians 2:23)
Yesterday, I was reading "God's Smuggler" with one of the students. Brother Andrew tells of his lessons on faith while he was in school for missions. The school was 100% by faith and naturally, finances were a challenge. At one point, Brother Andrew was looking in gutters for pennies. It made him realize that it wasn't about money, it was about relationship. When he worked at the chocolate factory, he expected to be paid for his work and he was. He had to trust the Lord to meet his needs just like the factory paid him for his work. That made me wonder if I've been obedient to the Lord, expecting Him to meet my needs instead of basing it on love-on relationship. Christianity is not about quid pro quo. Was I trying hard to be at a normal weight to prove I was in a right relationship with Him, rather than a right relationship with Him controlling my weight? What part of Matthew 6:33 did I not understand? "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you."
This morning, Sarah Young said, "Trying not to think about something is usually ineffective and counterproductive. The effort to stop think about the matter keeps you chained to those thoughts. However, you can beak free by focusing your attention on Me and what I'm doing in your life." Jesus Today page 71. Seeking God's Presence instead of wondering what I'm going to fix for dinner, my allotment of protein and carbs, what that new treat would taste like, etc, has been more fulfilling. Jesus said He came to give us abundant life and I've missed so much by seeking abundance in the kitchen or my appearance. Dieting or gorging-and there's never been a middle ground-has been all about the food.
Above all, I'm grateful that He promises "The One Who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." I know me and I know I can't do it without Him.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Consequences
Our youngest son graduated three weeks before five of his classmates were at a party that ran out of drugs. The boys, already high, returned to town over a very busy, two lane mountain road to replenish the drugs. Our neighbor, a highway patrolman, confirmed the report that the boys were doing between 110-115 miles per hour, passing everyone in their way.
Until they topped a hill and met a family in a station wagon coming the other direction. All five boys died, one burned beyond recognition. Two of them were younger and never knew the sense of accomplishment from a diploma. The parents in the station wagon were also killed and the two children in the back seat will suffer dreadful health issues as long as they live.
Just two weeks ago, an 18 year old bought a car and the very next day, drove past our place doing 100 miles per hour (speed limit is 45). This road is also two lanes and very busy. He struck a pickup backing out of the driveway and was killed. The driver of the pickup is still hospitalized.
Tragic circumstances in both situations. The perpetrators of the incidents all paid horrible consequences. However, sometimes consequences are paid by the innocent. Certainly that family who was struck head on were innocent of wrong doing, as was the driver of the pickup.
Drugs and alcohol can have consequences on other innocents, too. I saw the consequences of the substance abuse combined with a sexually active lifestyle that is so prevalent today when I worked in the pro life ministry. Poverty, disease, broken hearts, and families in chaos, to say nothing of the burden on responsible family members, society, and tax payers.
Now, I'm seeing it even more as I work with the boys on the ranch. So many of them come from single parent families. Many have parents in jail because of drugs. One boy's mother died while he was a student here. Drug overdose.
While it may seem like the boys at the ranch are just fine, they're not. They only come to the ranch because they're having problems. Many have fallen behind in their schoolwork. Since the school is 100% faith based, almost all of the boys are living in poverty at home. The only thing the family pays for is uniforms and that's to give the families an investment in their child's education.
Several of the boys are living with relatives because the parents are in jail. Some of the boys don't even know who their father is. Social maladjustment is rampant. Many come to the school because public school has expelled them for fighting. They need attention and plenty of it, but even with our student/teacher ratio, sometimes it's not enough.
The boys didn't ask for the problems they have. Inability to concentrate, inability to get along, no work ethic, poor neighborhoods that exacerbate the situation when they return home on week ends and vacations. They're paying the consequences for the poor choices their parents made and continue to make. How will they learn better skills to make good choices for themselves as adults?
And yet, society continues to glorify such behavior. Movies, books, television seem to think "everyone" is doing it. When I mentioned purity until marriage to one boy, he said, "Nobody thinks that way anymore." He's the young man I'm proudest of in the 12 years I've worked here. He has his head on straight about everything else but that. He is strongly opposed to abortion and says he'll never marry. So what happens when a girl tries to trap him? Consequences.
My mother used to say when I would whine that everyone was doing it, "Everyone's going off a bridge in Pittsburgh. Are you going with them?" At the time, my teenage mind was anything but happy with her response. I knew the answer to my request was an unqualified no. If I had been allowed to go to those parties where alcohol was rampant, would I have participated rather than suffering the ridicule that was bound to occur by refusing? Would I have taken up smoking and ended up with diabetes as many in my family have? Would I have done anything to keep a boyfriend that was leaving anyway? I fail to see the glamour and glory in the consequences that movies, television, and books fail to mention.
As a great grandmother, now I can see the wisdom of my parent's sheltering me. Back then, the dangers of teen aged behavior was not nearly so costly as it is today. It is my hope that their strict upbringing for me helped me in rearing my sons and it will have good consequences for their children and grandchildren. Praying that's the case.
Until they topped a hill and met a family in a station wagon coming the other direction. All five boys died, one burned beyond recognition. Two of them were younger and never knew the sense of accomplishment from a diploma. The parents in the station wagon were also killed and the two children in the back seat will suffer dreadful health issues as long as they live.
Just two weeks ago, an 18 year old bought a car and the very next day, drove past our place doing 100 miles per hour (speed limit is 45). This road is also two lanes and very busy. He struck a pickup backing out of the driveway and was killed. The driver of the pickup is still hospitalized.
Tragic circumstances in both situations. The perpetrators of the incidents all paid horrible consequences. However, sometimes consequences are paid by the innocent. Certainly that family who was struck head on were innocent of wrong doing, as was the driver of the pickup.
Drugs and alcohol can have consequences on other innocents, too. I saw the consequences of the substance abuse combined with a sexually active lifestyle that is so prevalent today when I worked in the pro life ministry. Poverty, disease, broken hearts, and families in chaos, to say nothing of the burden on responsible family members, society, and tax payers.
Now, I'm seeing it even more as I work with the boys on the ranch. So many of them come from single parent families. Many have parents in jail because of drugs. One boy's mother died while he was a student here. Drug overdose.
While it may seem like the boys at the ranch are just fine, they're not. They only come to the ranch because they're having problems. Many have fallen behind in their schoolwork. Since the school is 100% faith based, almost all of the boys are living in poverty at home. The only thing the family pays for is uniforms and that's to give the families an investment in their child's education.
Several of the boys are living with relatives because the parents are in jail. Some of the boys don't even know who their father is. Social maladjustment is rampant. Many come to the school because public school has expelled them for fighting. They need attention and plenty of it, but even with our student/teacher ratio, sometimes it's not enough.
The boys didn't ask for the problems they have. Inability to concentrate, inability to get along, no work ethic, poor neighborhoods that exacerbate the situation when they return home on week ends and vacations. They're paying the consequences for the poor choices their parents made and continue to make. How will they learn better skills to make good choices for themselves as adults?
And yet, society continues to glorify such behavior. Movies, books, television seem to think "everyone" is doing it. When I mentioned purity until marriage to one boy, he said, "Nobody thinks that way anymore." He's the young man I'm proudest of in the 12 years I've worked here. He has his head on straight about everything else but that. He is strongly opposed to abortion and says he'll never marry. So what happens when a girl tries to trap him? Consequences.
My mother used to say when I would whine that everyone was doing it, "Everyone's going off a bridge in Pittsburgh. Are you going with them?" At the time, my teenage mind was anything but happy with her response. I knew the answer to my request was an unqualified no. If I had been allowed to go to those parties where alcohol was rampant, would I have participated rather than suffering the ridicule that was bound to occur by refusing? Would I have taken up smoking and ended up with diabetes as many in my family have? Would I have done anything to keep a boyfriend that was leaving anyway? I fail to see the glamour and glory in the consequences that movies, television, and books fail to mention.
As a great grandmother, now I can see the wisdom of my parent's sheltering me. Back then, the dangers of teen aged behavior was not nearly so costly as it is today. It is my hope that their strict upbringing for me helped me in rearing my sons and it will have good consequences for their children and grandchildren. Praying that's the case.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Mustard, Ketchup, or Mayonnaise?
Urban Mission in Ohio where I worked as a VISTA, with the assignment of procuring goods and services for the mission, had a four story storage building. It was an old building and moving goods around was sometimes difficult because the floor was uneven. The wooden ramps kept breaking and I was asked to get an unbreakable one so the forklift could move across the floor with less difficulty. The fellow who ran the forklift grumbled, "If you can get an unbreakable ramp, I'll eat my hat." We had a titanium ramp the next day-unbreakable.
In the staff meeting that morning, I asked Ronny if he wanted mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaise with his hat.
I may have to do the same with my words regarding voting. I have adamantly insisted that I would not vote for Trump, but would do a write-in vote. I was quite sure. Now, I'm waffling. Not, I assure you because I believe I would be voting for the lesser of two evils. Nor because I'm afraid of the current administration continuing on its destructive path. All of which may happen regardless how I feel. And definitely not because I have changed my opinion of the man.
When I said I would do a write in vote, I believed I was taking a stand for what I believed to be right. But, then the Lord reminded me when Israel was taken captive to Babylon, He told the people to settle in, work, build homes-in other words go on with life as though they were still in Israel and not captives in Babylon. Some did, some didn't. The disobedient ones suffered.
It reminded me that we are to occupy until Jesus comes. He doesn't promise that our occupation will be in a rose garden. Even if it were, roses are thorny beauties, so there's problems no matter where we are. I'm also reminded that the Lord chooses our leaders.
Someone recently told me that God was voting in the election. No, He's not pulling the lever, campaigning, or filling in an absentee ballot, but the choice is His. If Donald Trump is God's choice, He has His reasons and I'm called to trust Him, no matter who wins. At this point, it looks more and more like Donald Trump. Pass the mayonnaise, please.
In the staff meeting that morning, I asked Ronny if he wanted mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaise with his hat.
I may have to do the same with my words regarding voting. I have adamantly insisted that I would not vote for Trump, but would do a write-in vote. I was quite sure. Now, I'm waffling. Not, I assure you because I believe I would be voting for the lesser of two evils. Nor because I'm afraid of the current administration continuing on its destructive path. All of which may happen regardless how I feel. And definitely not because I have changed my opinion of the man.
When I said I would do a write in vote, I believed I was taking a stand for what I believed to be right. But, then the Lord reminded me when Israel was taken captive to Babylon, He told the people to settle in, work, build homes-in other words go on with life as though they were still in Israel and not captives in Babylon. Some did, some didn't. The disobedient ones suffered.
It reminded me that we are to occupy until Jesus comes. He doesn't promise that our occupation will be in a rose garden. Even if it were, roses are thorny beauties, so there's problems no matter where we are. I'm also reminded that the Lord chooses our leaders.
Someone recently told me that God was voting in the election. No, He's not pulling the lever, campaigning, or filling in an absentee ballot, but the choice is His. If Donald Trump is God's choice, He has His reasons and I'm called to trust Him, no matter who wins. At this point, it looks more and more like Donald Trump. Pass the mayonnaise, please.
Friday, March 11, 2016
Betrayed-again
If I don't have to tutor boys at school, I read. Last week, I had the privilege to start reading, "A More Perfect Union," by Dr. Ben Carson. Or so I thought. Until this morning. Ben Carson is supporting Donald Trump and speculation as to why is going through the roof. I won't speculate, but I have thought of the Scriptures that remind us to remain faithful. I don't see Dr. Carson as having done that.
Ben Carson's biography told how he rose from abject poverty and a mother who waffled between moments of brilliance and hospitalization for emotional breakdowns. If only all mothers could achieve the success she did in rearing her sons, this world would be a better place by far. Carson's autobiography is a study in how God places those in His hand who place their trust in Him. To rise from a failing student to the world's greatest pediatric neurosurgeon is a feat only God could have directed.
And, until this morning, I read his book in amazement. He nailed so many principles on which this country was built. I had planned to copy many of them to reread once I had completed the book and passed it on. I was especially taken by his sentence on page 32. It reads, "As soon as we begin overlooking abuse of power by an official who is a member of our own party, we become part of the problem."
Barry Goldwater said in his first book one thing he admired (envied) about the Democrats was their loyalty to their party. I agree. Democrats, from my perspective, tend to vote their emotions and their loyalty. Until this year, I had thought that Republicans voted their logic. Sometimes we've had to hold our noses while voting because Republicans weren't that much better than Democrats. Now, I'm not so sure they're any better at all. Over 60% of Republicans agree with me on the current front runner.
It's often been said by many Republicans that Trump is no Republican and indeed, he's never indicated what he's donated to Republicans, but donations to Democrats have been many and large. It was Trump who took the debate to the gutter. He's pandered to the angers of the middle class instead of raising us up as did Ronald Reagan. He took the first debate to the boxing ring and the only time he left was the debate in which he refused to appear. Apparently, he behaved himself in last night's debate and, fortunately Rubio didn't go down to that gutter Trump rose out of. (I didn't watch because the debates had gotten so vile and embarrassing.) As for Trump, his statement of how everyone was so civil reminded me of a dear friend. She used to say she was tired of our boss throwing manure and coming out smelling like a rose. That, to me, fits Trump to a T. How could Dr. Carson have been so duped?
Dr. Carson seemed rather reluctant to forgive Cruz and had he refused to back him, I would have understood, but to back someone who likened him to a pedophile, well to be honest, his move this morning boggles the imagination, muddies the waters, and disappoints me beyond words. I trusted him to the point I was going to write his name on the ballot if Trump were the nominee and I was going to use Carson's very words to support my decision.
Is it any wonder my favorite verse during election times is Psalm 118:8? "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in men."
Ben Carson's biography told how he rose from abject poverty and a mother who waffled between moments of brilliance and hospitalization for emotional breakdowns. If only all mothers could achieve the success she did in rearing her sons, this world would be a better place by far. Carson's autobiography is a study in how God places those in His hand who place their trust in Him. To rise from a failing student to the world's greatest pediatric neurosurgeon is a feat only God could have directed.
And, until this morning, I read his book in amazement. He nailed so many principles on which this country was built. I had planned to copy many of them to reread once I had completed the book and passed it on. I was especially taken by his sentence on page 32. It reads, "As soon as we begin overlooking abuse of power by an official who is a member of our own party, we become part of the problem."
Barry Goldwater said in his first book one thing he admired (envied) about the Democrats was their loyalty to their party. I agree. Democrats, from my perspective, tend to vote their emotions and their loyalty. Until this year, I had thought that Republicans voted their logic. Sometimes we've had to hold our noses while voting because Republicans weren't that much better than Democrats. Now, I'm not so sure they're any better at all. Over 60% of Republicans agree with me on the current front runner.
It's often been said by many Republicans that Trump is no Republican and indeed, he's never indicated what he's donated to Republicans, but donations to Democrats have been many and large. It was Trump who took the debate to the gutter. He's pandered to the angers of the middle class instead of raising us up as did Ronald Reagan. He took the first debate to the boxing ring and the only time he left was the debate in which he refused to appear. Apparently, he behaved himself in last night's debate and, fortunately Rubio didn't go down to that gutter Trump rose out of. (I didn't watch because the debates had gotten so vile and embarrassing.) As for Trump, his statement of how everyone was so civil reminded me of a dear friend. She used to say she was tired of our boss throwing manure and coming out smelling like a rose. That, to me, fits Trump to a T. How could Dr. Carson have been so duped?
Dr. Carson seemed rather reluctant to forgive Cruz and had he refused to back him, I would have understood, but to back someone who likened him to a pedophile, well to be honest, his move this morning boggles the imagination, muddies the waters, and disappoints me beyond words. I trusted him to the point I was going to write his name on the ballot if Trump were the nominee and I was going to use Carson's very words to support my decision.
Is it any wonder my favorite verse during election times is Psalm 118:8? "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in men."
Sunday, March 6, 2016
A great big IF
I learned a lesson this morning that may not be pleasant but it was necessary. Our church has a dinner almost every other week after the service. The meal is provided, but women in the congregation are asked to bring desserts. (The men at the ranch cook the meal) I try to pick up a dessert on Saturday, but didn't get it done. so I raced off to Subway this morning and bought 2 dozen cookies before the service. The woman who waited on me was delighted to hear about the meal at the church and I invited her to come anytime she had off. She laughed at the idea of being off work on Sunday. It hit me. As a Christian, when I shop on Sunday for any reason, isn't it rather hypocritical of me to want everyone to worship and yet, my actions rob them of the opportunity? This has been jokingly discussed on several occasions over the years. I intend to not only repent but to remember to make the Lord's Day truly His. I'll stay out of any business as much as I can.
Having confessed, I also have to confess I've been thinking about hypocrisy regarding Trump over the past few days. I have said on several occasions I will vote for him only if I have to. However, if I vote for the lesser of evils, I'm still voting for evil. This, too, has often been discussed among Christians. I am disenfranchised regardless who I vote for if I vote for someone who's hypocrisy is so evident. Kimberly Guilfoyle remarked refusing to vote for Trump is a vote for Hllary and there has been a time I have agreed with that.
However, I have come to see Donald Trump as a male version of Hillary Clinton and vice versa. Therefore, a vote for Donald Trump is still a vote for Hillary Clinton. Their policies and prevarications are so similar.
Then, too, Trump's complained that the reason the IRS is auditing him is that he's being persecuted because he's a Christian. Really. Christianity begins in the spirit, not good works. That spark in the spirit comes by responding to the call of the Holy Spirit. Mr. Trump has said he's never felt the need to ask God's forgiveness for anything. Really. No matter how much he does in the way of good works, it won't make him a Christian. And, it's been said he's done good works. He's been generous to many people, I'm told. Good for him.
But, God's Word says we are saved by grace through faith and it has nothing to do with ourselves so we cannot boast about anything. We can shout from the housetops that we are Christians, but the truth is only God knows who is and who isn't. We can, however tell a lot from a person's lifestyle and his lifestyle hasn't been all that Christian. From all appearances, he's depending on his works. I assume that's why he brags about them so much. God also says if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing. (Gal 2:21) Who would want to belong to a god who could be so cruel, he would send his son to die for everyone else's sins and still allow other ways to him? There is one way to God and that's through faith in Jesus Christ. Not because I said so, but because God said it.
The hypocrisy continues. Trump has pronounced at every opportunity that manufacturing jobs need to return to America. Mr. Trump, how about your clothing factory in China? If he really believe that it would go a long way if he would be the first. He needs to be noble, live up to his statement. Let others follow his example. To do otherwise would be hypocritical.
Talk about shouting from the housetops. He's talked ad nauseum about illegal aliens and how he'll send them back to their own country-or to Mexico, at least. Yet, who is doing construction on his buildings? Hypocrisy.
Do I have the right to call his actions hypocritical when I started by admitting my own? Yes. We all at some point or another say one thing and do another. I try to recognize mine and correct it. And, I'm not running for the most powerful position in the world. Yes, my hypocrisy hurts those who know me and grieves my Lord. I guess I'm just trying to say I don't understand people who will vote for Trump no matter what, totally blind to his hypocrisy. The Bible says to speak the truth in love. My words may not seem loving, but warning others of danger is loving, no matter how they're taken.
Having said all that, I have come very close to the decision that if Donald Trump is the nominee for the Republican Party, I will make my statement that I am a Christian first, a conservative second and a Republican third by writing in another name. If those 54 million Christians who didn't vote in the last election would do the same, we'd stand a better chance to defeating Trump/Clinton or Clinton/Trump.
I will vote for Trump IF he:
1. Brings his clothing factory back to America from China:
2. Sends the illegals back to their own country and hires only Americans in America:
3. Learns to be quiet when his opponents are talking:
4. Owns up to all his many business failures:
5. Settles the university lawsuit out of court with full recompense:
6. Stops calling his opponents names:
7. Treats women with respect:
8. Releases his tax and financial statements:
9. Announces in detail policies, instead of vague, illegal promises he has to walk back.
10. Somehow manages to get his wife's nude photos off the internet.
11. The Lord sends a very strong sign that it's His will I vote for him.
Like I said, it's a very big if.
Having confessed, I also have to confess I've been thinking about hypocrisy regarding Trump over the past few days. I have said on several occasions I will vote for him only if I have to. However, if I vote for the lesser of evils, I'm still voting for evil. This, too, has often been discussed among Christians. I am disenfranchised regardless who I vote for if I vote for someone who's hypocrisy is so evident. Kimberly Guilfoyle remarked refusing to vote for Trump is a vote for Hllary and there has been a time I have agreed with that.
However, I have come to see Donald Trump as a male version of Hillary Clinton and vice versa. Therefore, a vote for Donald Trump is still a vote for Hillary Clinton. Their policies and prevarications are so similar.
Then, too, Trump's complained that the reason the IRS is auditing him is that he's being persecuted because he's a Christian. Really. Christianity begins in the spirit, not good works. That spark in the spirit comes by responding to the call of the Holy Spirit. Mr. Trump has said he's never felt the need to ask God's forgiveness for anything. Really. No matter how much he does in the way of good works, it won't make him a Christian. And, it's been said he's done good works. He's been generous to many people, I'm told. Good for him.
But, God's Word says we are saved by grace through faith and it has nothing to do with ourselves so we cannot boast about anything. We can shout from the housetops that we are Christians, but the truth is only God knows who is and who isn't. We can, however tell a lot from a person's lifestyle and his lifestyle hasn't been all that Christian. From all appearances, he's depending on his works. I assume that's why he brags about them so much. God also says if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing. (Gal 2:21) Who would want to belong to a god who could be so cruel, he would send his son to die for everyone else's sins and still allow other ways to him? There is one way to God and that's through faith in Jesus Christ. Not because I said so, but because God said it.
The hypocrisy continues. Trump has pronounced at every opportunity that manufacturing jobs need to return to America. Mr. Trump, how about your clothing factory in China? If he really believe that it would go a long way if he would be the first. He needs to be noble, live up to his statement. Let others follow his example. To do otherwise would be hypocritical.
Talk about shouting from the housetops. He's talked ad nauseum about illegal aliens and how he'll send them back to their own country-or to Mexico, at least. Yet, who is doing construction on his buildings? Hypocrisy.
Do I have the right to call his actions hypocritical when I started by admitting my own? Yes. We all at some point or another say one thing and do another. I try to recognize mine and correct it. And, I'm not running for the most powerful position in the world. Yes, my hypocrisy hurts those who know me and grieves my Lord. I guess I'm just trying to say I don't understand people who will vote for Trump no matter what, totally blind to his hypocrisy. The Bible says to speak the truth in love. My words may not seem loving, but warning others of danger is loving, no matter how they're taken.
Having said all that, I have come very close to the decision that if Donald Trump is the nominee for the Republican Party, I will make my statement that I am a Christian first, a conservative second and a Republican third by writing in another name. If those 54 million Christians who didn't vote in the last election would do the same, we'd stand a better chance to defeating Trump/Clinton or Clinton/Trump.
I will vote for Trump IF he:
1. Brings his clothing factory back to America from China:
2. Sends the illegals back to their own country and hires only Americans in America:
3. Learns to be quiet when his opponents are talking:
4. Owns up to all his many business failures:
5. Settles the university lawsuit out of court with full recompense:
6. Stops calling his opponents names:
7. Treats women with respect:
8. Releases his tax and financial statements:
9. Announces in detail policies, instead of vague, illegal promises he has to walk back.
10. Somehow manages to get his wife's nude photos off the internet.
11. The Lord sends a very strong sign that it's His will I vote for him.
Like I said, it's a very big if.
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