A Cuckoo Conversation

Unhappy Cuckoo

I never had been formally introduced to a cuckoo (bird, that is) before today. This meeting was not one of niceties, but of necessity.  

This one made a bad decision; a really bad decision. He flew into a garage. Mind you, that in itself isn’t such a bad thing – unless you don’t know the way out. He didn’t.

After a long while of avoiding his rescuer and trying to fly out of the ceiling and knocking down the garage door rails, he tired enough for my husband (you will remember Mr. Tall Dark & Handsome) to nab him.

Mr. TD&H presented his catch to me wrapped in a chamois, from said garage.  Mr. Cuckoo was a mess. His bloodied little head told me he butted against walls with all his little bird strength to find his way out. A closer inspection (much to his disliking) revealed that his little head feathers were broken off at the nub. Just a guess but, he might have a stubborn streak.

Once a rehabber, always a rehabber (you may remember my adventure with Oscar the extraordinary hummingbird, baby blue birds…) I gathered supplies. Rubber gloves, paper towels, water, aloe were my initial tools for this job.

We found a spot in the shade and started to work. From the look in his eyes he didn’t appreciate it one little bit, but he needed attention so, I took the end of a paper towel and wet it to clean his bloody head. His protests quieted so the cool water must have been some comfort. After a few dabs I found no lacerations, so I finished cleaning and applied a little aloe for healing.

With him safely wrapped like a chamois cuckoo burrito, and turned him over. There were no other obvious wounds. His screams of protest began again when he was upright. I can’t give you an exact translation because I am not fluent in Cuckoo. I can tell you if Mommy Cuckoo was listening, he may be in for a “washing of the beak!” The video only includes his "nice words."

We found him well enough to try for a release. With his patience with me drawing to an end, I took a picture. Notice his "sweet smile?" Stubborn and unhappy. 

We no more than unwrapped his burrito than off he flew. No thank you. No tender good-byes. Off to the nearest tree and life as before. He may have some explaining to do about his head injury but, should be fine.

If the little guy had used a helmet – he could have avoided his injury. I am sorry he had such a rough day. Because he didn’t listen when Mr. TD&H tried to explain the way out for him, he probably wouldn’t have listened to me either. We did what we could in light of his situation. It is up to him whether or not he learned any lessons.

The same is true for us. The helmet of salvation protects us from injury to our heads. Indeed our enemy wants to get in there and bloody us up with false teachings. He is the father of lies and will do his best to fill our heads with them – unless we have our helmet.

Things I learned

• Without God, we are likely to go places and be found in situations that cause us harm and from which we can’t find our way out.
• When (Christian) help comes, it would be beneficial to listen.
• When offering help (Truth) to one in distress, you may encounter screams of protest. Be willing to wait and offer Truth anyway. Earnestly contend for the faith.
• When offering Truth you must be prepared for both reception and rejection. Offer Truth anyway.
• When you give life-saving Truth to one and they reject it today, it may open a door to another day. Don’t be discouraged – one plants, another waters – God gives the increase.
• If you reject the Truth, you can expect to make harmful decisions over and over again.

If you see a little guy who looks like this,
 tell him I said "hi!" and he is
welcome to come back and visit,
and finish our conversation.

Cuckoos are considered “brood parasites.” They often lay their eggs in another’s nest. If you find a cuckoo in your nest,

• Take care of them as if they are your own.
• Teach them the Truth.
• Give them access to a helmet.
• Realize – the decision is theirs.

“Stand firm therefore,

HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH,

and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION

OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 

in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith

with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God. “

Ephesians 6:14-17

  

Dear Father in heaven,

I confess that I was just like this little bird, lost without a clue how to get out of my sin. Thank You for Your patience and love toward me while I was still flying on my own.

Father, it was Your love that provided my escape from sin. Your love paid a price above comprehension to rescue me from the eternity that I deserved. Thank You for your provision for eternity and Your provision for today. I especially thank You for Your Word that lights the path for my feet, that I will not stumble or stray.

I pray for all those reading this right now, that they will know You and know of Your love for them. Make Yourself known to them in a real and personal way today. Help them to see the need for You and help me find ways to minister to those who need to hear.

I am so thankful that You have provided all I need for the battle while I am here on earth. I trust You with my today and my eternity.

I pray in the precious name of Jesus, my Rescuer and Redeemer, 

amen.

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For more faith-filled stories, including a hummingbird I named Oscar read the first chapter of our story here.

Submission and Standing in the Gap

My job is to be in subjection to those in authority over me, to pray for our leaders, all of whom are there because God has established it. (Read Romans 13:1-7 here) Having said that know that I pray for my elected leaders. I pray that God will guide and direct them. I pray that they are submissive to Him in every aspect of their lives and their decisions in regard to their position. I pray that for myself too. 

I am obliged by Scripture to be obedient to those in authority over me. The only exemption for that submission is when those rulers go against the Word of God. I will render unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar, but I am also going to stand in the gap of a crumbling wall of righteousness. 

I will not endorse those who call right wrong. My standard of right is according to His standard of right - His Word. The Word of Truth. I will not bow to political correctness and "fairness" according to what others believe. I stand on the Word of God.

I will not endorse those who believe more government will bring us into line, because I bow to God alone. My freedom came at great cost - from Him. More government is NOT the answer. More God is the answer. 

Illegal is illegal. If it is against the law, that equals illegal. Illegal is not subjective. We have slid into a country that finds an excuse to argue escape from consequences. Aborting an inconvenient child, lying to avoid punishment...the list is long. The fact remains that sin earns a reward - punishment.

We are all guilty of sin. Those who bear the name of Christ, who are forgiven under His grace and mercy, must not shy away from calling out the Truth. I stand unashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for salvation! If the truth is not accepted, then our sin is not recognized!

We are in the middle of a heated election. Regardless of the direction the U.S.A. takes, we MUST stand for God. We must stand for truth. I encourage you to recall the words of Daniel. This is spoken about the Antichrist - but applies today. “By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action." Read Daniel 11:32 here. Much of this land has turned to godlessness. It is up to the believers who know God to display strength and take action.

I believe that action is to preach the gospel in and out of season. I believe our job this very day is to proclaim the truth of God's Word, that people will recognize their sin, turn from their wicked ways and turn to Him.

• Submit to God and His truth. Everything else will fall into place when that happens. To find His truth, study His Word. His Word will not change, It will not contradict Itself, and in It your life will find direction. study It diligently, over and over. 
• Submit to the fact that you are a sinner. There are two types of sinners. Those who are saved (by His grace and mercy) and those have not. They are either in denial of their sin (perhaps trying to justify according to man's idea of right or fairness or what they think they deserve) or do not realize they are going against the will of God.
• Submit to the truth that the payment of sin is death. Granted, both the saved and the unsaved will lose their earthly lives. The unsaved will serve out the payment for their sin in an eternal Hell. The saved have their eternity in Heaven because their sin debt was paid by Jesus. 
• Submitting to Jesus changes everything. Submission to Him means you admit your sin, turn away from it and accept His payment for that sin. It allows Him to direct your life in a right path going forward. 
• Submitting to Him requires you submit to those in authority over you.

For those who carry His name, are called Christians, our commission (job) is to share that good news! To make disciples of those who have not heard this truth! Submitting to those in authority does NOT mean we submit to things displeasing to God or stop sharing His Word!

• Stand in the gap as Daniel's friends, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, (you may remember them by their Babylonian names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) who obeyed the King who held them captive until they were told to bow before a golden statue and worship it. They did not. It is against the law of God to worship any graven image or any god other than the one Almighty God. They didn't launch a riot or a revolt they simply did not comply. It cost them a plunge into a furnace. You remember Who was there with them? Read their story here, in Daniel 3. God was with them and chose to allow them to go through the furnace unharmed, without even the smell of smoke.   The King recognized their faith, and the power of God.
• Stand in the gap as Daniel who did not hide his prayer. When evil men made a decree against praying to anyone other than the King, they would cost them a visit to a den of lions. Daniel could have hidden to pray but he did not. He could have caused a scene, he did not. He simply prayed in the open window in unashamed obedience to God. It cost him a trip to the lion's den. Read his story here in Daniel 6. God was with him and he was not even touched by the lions. The king recognized his faith and the power of God.
• Stand in the gap as Ezekiel who lived in a time when the judgment of God was upon his land. The people had turned from God and brought corruption into the land and their worship. God asked for someone to stand in the gap of the crumbling walls of His sanctuary to prevent this corruption, and there was no one. Read from Ezekiel 22:30 here. Their sins (in chapter 22) included profaning the holy things of God, making no distinction betweeen the holy and the profane, not teaching the difference betweeen the clean and the unclean. Sounds familiar. 

Dear friends, I fear we are in a similar time, facing the judgment of God for our wickedness and our lack of standing in the gap. I pray you will both submit to Him in every aspect of your life today AND share the truth with those in your reach that sin is sin. Their sin will require payment and the days are growing nearer and nearer for the payment to be due. 

Merciful and gracious heavenly Father,

I see sin so rampant that it physically hurts me. I see those immersed in sin that will cost them an eternity of horrific punishment if they do not repent. Help them today to become aware of their sin. Make their hearts tender to You, that they will repent and serve You.

Father, I see leaders on every level that have misguided goals. I see so many that neglect You and Your will. I pray You will make Youself known to them and they will seek You. I pray they will take a stand for Your Truth that will filter down to all those under their authority. Give an extra measure of strength and purpose to those who are serving You.

I pray for my brothers and sisters in the faith. I pray we will be diligent to give proper honor to those You have put in authority over us. I pray will be will faithful to honor You above all. 

I pray these things in the name of Jesus, my Savior, Redeemer, and my Rock upon which I stand.

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For faith-filled stories, including a hummingbird I named Oscar, 

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Anger Without Sin

Devotion, anger without sin.

“BE ANGRY,

AND yet DO NOT SIN;

do not let the sun go down on your anger, and

do not give the devil an opportunity.”

Ephesians 4:26, 27

Dear Father,

My words and actions can never be undone and are now listed in the sin debt You paid for me. Forgive me for causing You to suffer even more because of my sin.

Father, I see the danger of harboring anger and listening to the lies of my adversary who speaks about unfairness and revenge and hatred. I see the wisdom of Your truth that speaks about humility and love and forgiveness and the wisdom of settling disputes before the end of the day.

I choose today to follow Your way, the way that does not leave an opening for the devil and his lies to jump in. Today I will have victory over him because I will follow Your way instead of his. Let the habit of my life be to always seek out and follow Your righteous paths.

I pray in Jesus’ name.

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For more devotions like this click here. 

Rings, Rainbows, and Reminders

September 10, 2014 rainbow. Photo credit: Ben Sturner @leverageagency

It was a beautiful sight. A rainbow formed in the heavens and anchored at the World Trade Center building on the eve of the 14th anniversary of an attack on that very site.

September 11, 2001 the United States was attacked. A date that will live in infamy, and be etched on the hearts of this generation. Each anniversary of that date there are many celebrations of heroism and stories told of those nearly 3,000 souls whose lives were taken that day. We have now erected new buildings and memorials as we both celebrate the heroism and mourn the loss of people who most likely did not wake with the idea that day would be their last.

Rainbows are a reminder from God that He made an everlasting covenant with every living creature of all flesh on the earth, His sign to us that “never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh.” Genesis 9:15. What a precious sign we have, a visible reminder that God remembers and keeps His word. I like to think of it as God's wedding ring to us. He reminds us He is still wearing His.

A significant part of the promise is not to be overlooked. God did look on the earth and saw that it was filled with corruption and violence, and the wickedness was great and the thoughts of the hearts of men was only evil continually. His judgment was destruction of the unrighteous. There was a righteous man, Noah. He and his family were preserved through this judgment and the rainbow was given as a sign that God will always keep His promises.

We need reminders, because it behooves us to remember. The events of September 11, 2001 came at the hand of those who do not believe in God, and do not know Him. They will face a time of judgment, for God is still righteous and still sees. He will return “dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9.

We need to remember that

• He sees our wickedness and thoughts of our hearts,
• He is the righteous judge and will execute judgment,
• He will return and bring with Him retribution for unbelievers,
• We need to earnestly trust Him,
• We need to eagerly seek and share Him for we do not know which day will be our last.

Father,

We see reminders all around us of our own wickedness, and still see Your promise shining in the heavens. We know You alone are righteous and we must be clothed in Your righteousness in order to enter into Your kingdom. Thank You for coming to earth as a man, taking our sins upon Yourself, and paying the penalty for our unrighteousness. Thank You for the reminders all around us that You are with us.

I pray that each person whose eyes read these words will look to you before their last days on earth, and give their hearts to You. I pray You will help us to be aware of Your presence and share Your truth with all those who need to hear. Give us prompting to point the world to You – our only hope.

Interested in more stories of faith? Read

Oscar the Extraordinary Hummingbird 

and 

Other Tales From Life In My Father's World

available on
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Freedom/Bondage Truth/Lies

We all yearn for freedom...

Bondage is being bound by something or someone - physically or emotionally tied to them.  Our actions are based upon the one who holds the cords, as a bridle directs a horse.  Sin is like that. Like it or not, we are all born with a sinful human nature. That human nature and its desire to do what feels good to us leads us to act in ways that are pleasing to us and our greed and desires, but are not acceptable in the eyes of our Creator.  Ironically, the more we want to hold our own reigns, the more bound and entangled we are to our sin nature.

Truth/Lies catch us all at some time or another. Most young children upon being caught in a punishable offence will lie and declare their innocence. We have all seen the videos of children with brown smeared faces denying they got into the chocolate stash. It is our nature. We don’t like to be told we are doing something wrong, and we don’t like to be punished. We just want to do things we want to do. So, like our young semi-sweet smeared faces, we still find ourselves listening to the lying voices in us that say,

“It will be so good! Try it, you will like it!”

“Go ahead – no one will find out”

“It’s your life – do what YOU want”

 “No one is getting hurt – why not?”

Sin is sneaky like that. It will tell you what you want to hear and believe, and cause you to think that it is the truth. Truth is, we are all born slaves to sin – in bondage to it, when we allow it to lead us into temporary pleasures we want, that God has warned us against. He is good about that – giving us warnings so we can recognize truth and error. But, without that Truth, it is hard to recognize a lie. So we fall into a pattern of following lies that seem good, while neglecting the Truth that would guide us in Truth. Sin becomes a driving master and we its willing slave galloping along our own little trail leading to destruction.

Shakespeare correctly said “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” In modern language – one lie leads to another.

Freedom from that sin-master only comes one way - Jesus. He is the only one Who can release you from it. He is the only way to find truth. “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,” He said. He should know, He is God Who came to live on earth. The same God Who created all of heaven and earth by simply speaking it into existence.

He knows the Truth and came to set us free from the bondage, power and penalty of sin. We can’t undo our sins but He, and His payment on our behalf, releases us from the consequence of all our thoughts, and words, and deeds that are unclean in the eyes of God. The consequence we all deserve for our sin (even the ones we consider the smallest of “white lies”) is death. An eternal one at that. No entrance into heaven. He alone has the keys and we must come to Him for entrance.

Because we live in bodies that still want to do what it wants to do - He even takes up residence within our hearts and minds to help us make correct decisions about our thoughts, and behavior, and speech moment by moment. We call it having the Holy Spirit within us. Everyone who trusts Jesus for salvation has this, plus the ability to call God Abba (Daddy) and Jesus our brother-a joint heir to all the kingdom of God our Father.

In the United States of America, we celebrate the fourth of July as a date upon which we declared an independence from “political bands which have connected” us to another “whose character is…marked by every act which may define a tyrant,…unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”  We appealed “to the Supreme Judge of the world”, and declared a “firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.” We acknowledge God as Supreme Judge above all rulers on earth and our reliance and submission to His protection. Simply stated, our founding fathers saw the need to release us from bondage under a tyrant and submit instead to God, in Whom we could trust. So, our beginnings were that of both freedom and submission.

How is it possible to have freedom while being in submission? We are either slaves to what we want or slaves to God. The difference is that we are held as slaves to sin, but give ourselves as slaves to righteousness in serving our new Master – God Almighty. We were demanded to be obedient to a tyrannical king, but willingly submitted this country to the rules of God, and received blessings because of it.

However, we cannot expect to continue to receive blessings from a God we do not serve. We cannot expect anything but judgment from the Supreme Judge Who is still (and ever will be) in office. Remember that when we believe lies, we become enslaved by those lies, and become deniers of the Truth that could set us free. No matter how strongly we believe, if it is a lie, it remains a lie and separates us from truth. Satan has long used lies disguised as “semi-truths”.  I can sincerely believe that “the Earth is flat” until my dying day. Regardless of the depth of my sincerity, I would die sincerely wrong.

Until we acknowledge God, seek His face, and turn from our wickedness of hearts, and minds, and actions we have no reason to expect Him to stand by us individually or as a nation. The firm promise that “He will never leave us nor forsake us” is valid for those who have put their trust and faith in Him.  The equally firm promise of destruction awaits those who deny Him, and thus deny the Truth. 

Why can’t I just do what I want? What is the benefit of just trading one master for another master? The only problem with trying to be our own master, is that we are not God. He is. He is the Potter, we are the clay. How foolish would it be to recognize the Potter Who created us, then decide we know what is best regardless of the warnings from our Potter. I am only an expert at what seems good to me, He is expert of all and over all. He is worthy of our trust, wholly and completely. He will guide us on the path that is filled with righteousness. Are you willing to turn over the reins of your life to the One Who gave it to you? You can trust Him to handle it correctly and lead you to the Truth that sets you free!

Dearest Father in heaven,

We celebrate Your lovingkindness that has given us our freedom from our sinful ways. We have lived in a sinful nature that makes us worthy of death and separation from You.

We have seen that no freedom is free – a ransom must be paid. We thank You for paying that debt we owe and giving us freedom from our sin nature and a means by which we can approach the Throne of Grace and Mercy.

Much of the world seems to be deceived by the lies of sin and in complete rebellion to You and Your Truth. Help us to share the Truth, Your Holy Word, and hold fast to it alone.  

Thank You for living in us and guiding us as we walk this path.

Gaither Vocal Band
Let Freedom Ring

Chris Tomlin

My chains are gone...

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Click here to read the first chapter

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Hidden, not

Frog in the rocks.
“There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13

If you haven’t noticed yet, there is a frog nestled up against the brick. He looked like a rock to me, and I didn’t see him until he moved. I'm thankful (he probably is too) that I didn't step on him. Although I didn’t see him right away, God knew he was there, and knew where I was too. He always does, and always has.

Do you ever feel alone? You are not.

Do you ever try to hide your sins? You can’t.

Do you ever wonder if He notices and cares? He does.

Father, how we thank You for reminding us that You see all. Help us to remember that You see our good and our bad, and live mindful of that. Thank You for loving us even though You know every thought we have.

Click here for more about me
and read more stories of faith in Oscar the Extraordinary Hummingbird

Oscar the Extraordinary Hummingbird 

and 

Other Tales From Life In My Father's World

Amazon -

http://www.amazon.com/Oscar-Extraordinary-Hummingbird-Other-Fathers/dp/1490882197/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1434117054&sr=1-1

Westbow Press -http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000990255/Oscar-the-Extraordinary-Hummingbird.aspx

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oscar-the-extraordinary-hummingbird-lisa-worthey-smith/1122075111?ean=9781490882178

Tree limbs, fences and broken plates

Broken plate.

One of the greatest things to have in your life is an encourager, someone who nurtures you and builds you up to be and do your very best. Whether they know it or not, you probably know at least one person who has lived their life in such a way that you want to follow their footsteps. To have a mentor that will invest in you and walk alongside you leading you in the proper direction is indeed a great treasure. You might share a family name with them, live with them, or even be one of them.

On the other hand, you might also know people who just want to be left alone and do their own thing or even do things harmful to themselves regardless of your pleas. “I’m not hurting anyone else, it is my body and my life and I can do with them as I like”, is a common line of reasoning. You might share a family name with them, live with them, or even be one of them. 

The problem is that the belief that any damage is only theirs, is wrong. One of the hardest concepts I have tried to explain, is that everyone IS making a difference for good or bad whether they believe it or not. 

Then, I saw this, and it made sense to me.   

This beautiful plate was created for both beauty and function. One day it was bumped onto the floor.  See the crack? Yes, right across the middle. I repaired it the best I could, but it will never be “unbroken” and suitable for its intended purpose again.

Damaged fence.

A similar story with this fence that has been quietly doing its job for 20-something years by keeping our animals in and predators out. It was stalwart in its mission until broken by a fallen limb. The tree has been growing near the fence, doing its job of growing tall and providing shade and shelter for deer, rabbits, squirrels, lizards and a wide variety of birds. Its leaves have grown each summer and fallen each winter giving a blanket of compost for the forest floor.  Its seeds have been food for a multitude, and been scattered to provide little replicas of itself. 

The plate, the fence, and the tree were all given functions to accomplish, and did so until affected by an outside force. The tree grew old and was un-nurtured in the forest, thus developed weak branches. Wind took advantage of one of its weak branches. The tree now an “amputee” without a limb. The fence, not equipped for such weight and force, bent under the fallen limb, and although now repaired, it will be forever damaged.

Isn’t it like that with us? We were created and designed for our mission in life. No matter how strong we are, we can become damaged by the actions of others. A person who falls (into bad behavior) can take many lives with them, lives influenced by their actions now forever scarred by the betrayal or injury. They can neither undo the fall nor the effect. Like the fence hit by the crash of the limb, we can be permanently scarred by the actions of others.

When Christians become negligent in an area of weakness, we fall just like everyone else. The difference is, that our falls are widely discussed. The old question about a tree falling in the woods…in this case when a tree falls, not only does it make a sound, but everyone hears it. Especially, if the tree was a longstanding pillar, the sound will resound to many. Questions always accompany these “fallings” Should I believe anything they have said? If they could fall, what hope do I have of standing? Or, if it was OK for them, then why shouldn’t I pursue that path? The fall of one absolutely influences the faith and lives of others.

Before we piously shake our fingers at those around us, let’s consider some areas of possible weakness on our part. 

·       Sexual temptations are rampant. Bedroom clothing worn outside the bedroom, sexual innuendo, pornography has become mainstream, and sexual perversion is titillating comedy of the day. Adultery, fornication, and homosexuality are now perceived by many to be normal, alternate lifestyles of consenting adults, and are commonplace and without shame. You don’t have to be a celebrity to affect family members, or acquaintances who see and hear of your behavior and then follow in your footsteps. 

·       Marriage is throw-away if it becomes less than perfect. It is no longer a covenant but convenience, based upon the feelings of one party or the other. If it hurts, or needs work, it is tossed aside with tho hope of something better on the other side of the fence. Every time that happens, it makes it a little easier for someone else to justify the same decision.

·       Anger has hit epidemic levels. Retaliation for opinions on social media to being in the front of the freeway line is a rapidly growing movement.  Patience is considered weakness, and retribution is the way to get your own way, and prove your strength and superiority. When we try to justify our actions with “heat of the moment” excuses we fail to take responsibility and certainly will encourage others to do the same. 

·    Chemical dependency is not new at all, but is rampant. Painkillers are wonderful when used correctly. They also produce terrible results when misused. Alcohol is touted as having many health benefits, but only when used properly. Marijuana may have medicinal benefits, but also alters your state of mind, and ability to think clearly. Dabbling leads to dependency. Dependency takes away from your responsibilities elsewhere, and of course – tempts more to follow the same path.

·    The name of the Lord is precious - the most precious of all names - yet it is used casually and irreverently. We attach it to the beginning of phrases when we become angry, frustrated, or even startled. Sometimes we even try to pretend it isn’t really His name, just a sound-alike phrase or initials of a recognizable phrase. Without a reverence to His name, we lack an understanding of who He is, drawing all who hear us speak this way away from Him. 

Like the fence that did nothing wrong, yet was permanently damaged by the fall of the tree limb, always bearing the scar from the fallen limb, what we do with our lives can damage those close to us. If someone who loves you has asked you to stop doing something that endangers your life, your strength, and your testimony, then your actions are hurting someone, someone who loves you, at that. 

If I stepped on your toes, don’t worry, mine are pretty bruised too. I don’t want to lead someone to make bad choices, and I doubt that you do either. 

What can we do? Start by recognizing that;

• o  Our words can hurt someone far deeper than we imagine.

• o   Our anger can bring out words and actions that can’t be undone.

• o   Our actions leave prints, bruises, and scars that will remain for a lifetime.

• o   Our choices have an impact on all those around us – for good or bad.

• o   Our neglect to recognize our weak (limbs) will eventually cause damage to us, and others.

Where then, do we go from here? We can’t go back and change anything in the past, we only can purpose in our hearts to have a different attitude from this point forward. How? Three good ways to start.

1.      . Draw nearer to God. 
•     Study His Word to know what He expects so we will recognize sin as sin, and 
•      ask Him for forgiveness for our sins.
1. 
   
2.      .  Seek His wisdom BEFORE we act.
3. 
   
4.     .  Give our words, our actions, our anger, our decisions to God 
•     rather than making those choices based on our feelings.

Father, we are in the world that is so full of sin we forget to call it sin. Thank You for showing us the truth about sin, and for Your provision for the forgiveness of that sin. Help us to be mindful of seeking You rather than responding to our feelings, or desires, or following the path of one who has fallen. Draw us nearer to You and than the world. 

What characteristics would you want to see in a mentor for your life?

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Snow From Heaven

Snow coated winter

We are basking in the beauty of a snowfall here in Alabama.  I understand that many of you are sick and tired of snow after this long snowy winter, but it is a rarity for us.  I beg your indulgence while we share our pictures and pull out our measuring sticks to brag about the depth at our house.  We make snow angels and snow cream while those north of the Mason Dixon are praying for their snow to go away.

Yesterday the view out our kitchen window was grey.  Today it is white, with almost a foot of snow on the ground, and delicately balanced on the twigs of the trees and shrubs.  As the cardinals land on a limb, the fluffy snow drifts down in slow motion.  It is a captivating scene for us, because we know it will not last long and it may well be the most snow we see in our lifetime!

So, as I take in every detail, I have considered the magnificence of a Creator who can take our grey winter landscape and coat it in beauty.   His hand alone could paint every tiny twig with tiny white flakes of glory, bringing out the detail of every little unnoticed limb.  Snow capped landscape lights glow, and birdhouses have extra layers of insulation.  As the sun is beginning to come out, the extreme reflective brightness is impossible to behold without shading our eyes with glasses or squinting our lids so just a bit of light comes through.

I imagine the presence of God sort of like that, full of unimaginably bright light and beauty.  My sins however, make me grey and dull.  Every little one of them that may go unnoticed by you.  Together all our grey landscapes just all blend together into a grey world.  Of course, my entrance into His presence would bring all my dirty grey, but He loves us so much that He has washed my sins whiter than - guess what?

Dearest Father in heaven, how I praise Your holy name for the magnificence of Your creation. Thank You for giving us a glimpse into Your power and holiness and our complete unworthiness.  Help us today to be eager to share the good news of Your provision for our sin in this cold grey world that so desperately needs to hear of You, even more than our desire to share pictures of the lovely snow.

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Fifty Shades of Grey - The Popcorn Effect

Fifty Shades and the popcorn effect. Why I am NOT watching.

Fifty Shades of Grey is a popular book which has been made into a movie.  I haven’t read the book and don’t intend to.  Same with the movie.

From the title, I would suppose that the premise deals with wrongs in shades of wrong/grey, with the excuse that it is only a little wrong, or that it is OK because…..Sounds like situational ethics, and that doesn’t appeal to me.  If it is wrong, then it is wrong regardless the circumstance. 

From the discussions I have read and heard, it (the book/movie) apparently deals with lust and sex.  “What’s the big deal?”  “If we are adults, why not?” “I’m not really doing anything, only watching - it is just entertainment” are some of the comments I have heard.  The idea that merely watching but not participating is thought of as okay, bothers me.  Here are some of my reasons.

    1)  Matthew 15:18-20a “The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man.” (notice that even evil thoughts are included alongside the murders that defile man.)

2)   James 1:14, 15 “…Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.  Then lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” (notice that the start of sin is our lust)

3)    Romans 1:18-32 (paraphrased) the wrath of God will come against everyone who is unrighteous.  We have no excuse for not knowing about God because evidence is all around us in His creation.  Those denying Him and His truth are foolish, and 24“God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity”.  26 "God gave them over to degrading passions”, 28“God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil…32 those who practice such things are worthy of death, they (who know the ordinance of God) not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”

                   

Personally, I don’t see the grey there.  It seems to be pretty well explained.  So, I don’t want to put into my mind things that defile both my mind and my heart.  When I put lust in my mind, that gives birth to sin.  Filling my heart and mind with lustful things even causes me to give approval to others who do them.  God warns us to do away with evil in our lives, but will allow those who continue to practice these things to continue in them - with the result being impurity, degrading passions, depraved minds, all of which are worthy of the wrath of God, and death. 

Consider walking into a room where fresh hot popcorn has just been popped and buttered, and salted, and you inhale that aroma. Doesn't that make you want to taste some? It works the same way with sin.

 I have made my decision, and also encourage you to “not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead (saved) and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” Romans 6:12, 13 As you have seen, the consequences are dire.

Father in heaven, 
we see Your presence all around us in Your marvelous creation.  Help us to see clearly Your desire to protect us from the danger of being enticed by the things in the world.  Help us to discern Your truth and not be misled by those things that encourage us to go against that truth.  

Thank You for giving us Your word, and equipping us to live in the world without being like the rest of the world.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

                                                                                                            

If the movie is about paint chips, I apologize.  As always, I invite your comments.

Carman  - Temptation Boogie

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