Food for thought: .. Days like Noah...

Are you ready? Have you thought about why there is a global economy crisis? I know no one can predict tragedies or predict the coming day that Christ will return. However, do you remember the days of Noah?

Genesis 6:3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years. 5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.

The days of Noah, men were corrupt in God’s eyes, and the earth was filled with violence. What does Noah have to do with today? Well Jesus stated, “Matthew 24:36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

Interesting, statement that the Son of Man will return it will be like it was in the days of Noah. Well, how do we know if we are in the days of Noah? Here is a thought: Ever looked at the statistics of people living to the age of 120? On the High end and by the year 2050 they are estimating 4,218,000 people will be over the age of 100 (See the chart). Interesting we are living longer. Well, thanks to medical science, that it does help to improve our health and our age.
What about the violence?

The United States Crime Index Rates Per 100,000 Inhabitants went from 1,887.2 in 1960 to 5,897.8 in 1991. By 1991 the crime rate was 313% the 1960 crime rate. In 1996 your risk of being a victim of a crime in the United States was 5.079%, and of a violent crime 0.634%. In 1960 these rates were 1.89% of being a victim of a crime and 0.161% of becoming victim of a violent crime. Our Index of Crime Statistics cover the period from 1960 to 2000. They cover the total reported crime, and compare population to the total crime reported by Index. Categories include Property, Murder, Forcible Rape, Robbery, Aggravated assault, Burglary, Larceny-theft, and Vehicle theft.
United States: Uniform Crime Report -- State Statistics from 1960 – 2007
http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/

It is interesting that our crime rate has risen. Are you seeing the big picture? Jesus said there will be signs. What about natural disasters as signs?
"Number of natural disasters (10 or more people killed, 100 people affected, a state of emergency declared or a call for international assistance made)

1900-09: 73

1910-19: 107

1920-29: 99

1930-39: 112

1940-49: 176

1950-59: 294

1960-69: 588

1970-79: 964

1980-89: 1900

1990-99: 2720

2000-09: 4650"

/The Economist - The World in 2007 - A year of fear - Leo Abruzzese/

Now see the big picture? More living closer to the age of 120, crime rates are up, and natural disasters are doubled in the last decade. 2 Timothy 3, God condemns those who are "lovers of themselves"—all involved in "self." He condemns those who focus their lives on money and wealth—"lovers of money” and those who are "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." Now see why we have global economic crises?

This is just a food for thought that I have had for several months. What would you do if you had one hour left to live?

Parenting Part two--- Being a father

It is interesting some of the classes I am taking for counseling in family marriage. Last month I held a men’s seminar and spoke about men and David’s mid-life crises. Men need to learn how to be fathers and husbands. Father’s to step up in taking care of their children and husbands to their wives in a manner worthy to God’s calling.

If a father is constant and maintains his faith 93% of the families will follow the father. However, with no father only 43% of women and children will attend, if the mother is faithful. Amazing if a father shows love towards his children, they will follow. A man needs to build his relationship with the Heavenly Father and set good examples for their children.
Several years ago I was working for a company and drove a truck. On the job I had accidently backed up into a residential mailbox. Boy was I embarrassed. I spoke with the lady and gave her my cell phone number and reassured her I would be back out on Saturday and will personally replace her mailbox. She gladly accepted.

I drove to Lowes and bought the better mailbox than what she had before. I also bought the tools and other pieces of equipment I would need to make the mailbox look good. That Saturday morning I dropped daughter off at a friend’s house and my son and I drove to where I broke the mailbox.

He looked at me and asked where we were going and I explained to him what I was going to do. He asked why I would want to do that. I said because when we make mistakes we need to own up to them and take responsibility. If we have broken something we need to replace it as equal as or better than what that person had and to ask for forgiveness. We got there and he helped me to replace the mailbox. When the homeowner got home and called me she was more than happy with the results.

My son and I bonded and learned how to stand up and make things right. There are several key things in which I think fathers need to express and to teach their children.
They are:
1. Mentor. A father can be a parent but to be a mentor is a step farther. It is okay to set rules and make sure your kids follow the right things. To be a mentor is being a role model that does what they explain. This means to make sure your children watch you living consistently what you teach. Not to be saying and doing something different from what you explain. Mentoring means not listening to music which is not appropriate and then ensuring your children are doing the same. They won’t follow someone who does one thing and doesn’t follow their own advice. That is why I enjoy Christian music. They can’t refute what I listen too. I find teaching moments when I can and help them understand their environment around them.

2. Praying. Your kids need to hear you lead prayers. Not just lead them, but to pray with them. When they have a rough day at school, pray with them and pray about a situation at work, but also you need to be discrete in your prayers. Remember, children are children, and don’t need adult information. Fathers need to be praying with the mothers, so that the children will learn how to communicate effectively with others, as well as the Heavenly Father.

3. Service. Children need to see you give. Not toys or something for them or for your family. Allow your children to see you serving others, so our children understand it’s not about them, but what we do for others is important. Two commands Jesus gave and the commands we are to carry out is to love others first. It is important to reach out into our communities. Help our neighbors. My son enjoys helping me do the lawn and then helping our next door neighbor with his lawn.

4. Reading. Teach your children to spend some alone time in peace and quite. Share with them and teach them the simple stories in the bible. Daniel and the Lions den is a good example. Teach them no matter if they are in trouble, that God will see them through it as long as we have faith in trust. Show them how to read and understand the message about forgiving, serving and loving one another. Have them read stories which inspire the imagination like the Chronicles of Narnia.

5. Family time. We have once a week family time. We call together a family meeting and we discuss how our families have been in the past week. Talk about school and how things are going. Learning about their friends and discussing problems which may happen in school or within our own family. We allow them to plan events or trips like going to the zoo. Things they would like to eat this week and children love to feel important and inviting them into your world, opens a door of communication. Play Nintendo or board games with them. Go on a family camping trip or to the zoo.

6. Cry. Joy. Don’t be afraid to shed a tear. Fireproof was a tear jerking movie. My wife knows I am sensitive. Watching a movie with the kids they can see my sensitive side and the laughter when we watch Ms Doubtfire. Don’t be afraid as a father to share your emotions. Don’t ever be angry in a form which is not conducive to biblical teaching. Laugh when they make funny jokes.

7. Truth. Always be truthful with your kids. If they ask, are you Santa Clause, well don’t lie about it. Be honest and just say, yes. Ask them in shock, how did you know and how bright you are for finding me out. When we lie we teach our children to lie. Always be truthful and be on their level.

8. Going to Worship. Going to worship is critical for children. They need to see a father worshiping the creator. They need to understand Jesus and what He has done for all mankind. However, when leaving worship don’t let yourself be in a hypocritical state. If you praise God on Sunday, don’t be on the highway cussing the man out that cut you off. Allow them to see you’re trying to give praise and thanks for all that God has done and blessed you in the family.

9. Relationships. Teach your children on how to build loving and lasting relationships. If you don’t treat your wife in such a way your prayers are hindered. Father’s must see the loving touch and careful words he uses with his spouse. Teach your children on appropriate ways to discuss and handle arguments or disagreements in a healthy manner. Get to know your children. Learn what they like and dislike. Do you know their favorite colors, movies or places they enjoy eating out? Teach them your relationships when you go to the store. Be friendly to the cashier. How you speak to someone on the phone. How you deal with difficult people. Teach them skills on how to work through difficult relationships.

10. Love. Love is the hardest to achieve. Also show your children you love them. Not buying them things but showing you love them. Writing love notes or emails, and let them know before they go to bed and when they start out their day. You never know when it is your last day on earth will be. It’s important to touch your children. Hug them. Tuck them in at night. Love is being tough, but also showing mercy. When you show love they will love you back even when they don’t express it back. Always forgive them and never turn your back on them no matter what they have done.

Be a father. Read how Jesus related to His Father and bear fruit in the relationships you have with your children. They are the fruit of your loins. Treat them with respect. Get to their level and talk eye to eye. They will respect you if you give them a chance to express your love. I still enjoy those homemade cards. The Father loves us now be uplifted and uplift your children. Nothing better in knowing our Father will bless us in our families if we do what is right.

Click on the title Parenting part two and it will download David Mid-life crises seminar.

Parenting-- Instructions?

Are you able to look at a manual which has words and pictures, showing you how to be putting something together? Try being up at 3am and putting a bicycle together, so that your child will be surprised at the new gift Santa left under the tree. I love giving surprises to my kids, whether it is during Christmas or during the week. Sometimes, I wonder where the manual went on being a parent.

I’m attending Liberty University finishing my Master’s degree in counseling. I have done five years of pastoral counseling and I want to help others who are hurting and searching for truth. Ten years ago, I began looking and searching for the truth. I thought the truth could be found in books, or what the preacher had to say. No, Jesus said the only truth is through Him. Now, that I am a parent, I have learned there are no parenting instructions, but there are five things which God has taught me.

There are parenting instructions which were given by God and Jesus. His message was lived through His Son. My eyes have been opened and a philosophy of being a parent through the eyes of my creator has taught me these five things:

1. God loves when I interact with Him. I love my children deeply. I enjoy interacting in their school activities, programs, sports, going to church and no matter what it is they want to talk about, I am willing to listen. Jesus took time out to talk to the Father because He knew he would listen. I love to hear how my children’s day is going. When we go to the movies or watch a movie we talk about it. What did you learn? What if you were that person, how would you handle it? What did you like the most about that movie?

I wondered how God felt when He heard Jesus praying in the garden. The pain and the hurt Jesus was fixing to bear. The one thing which hurts me the most is when my children don’t want to talk when something is bothering them. I give them space and give them the free will choice to come and talk. I love talking and interacting with my children. Whether it is breakfast on weekends, or at the dinner table through the week, it thrills me when I can hear the creativity and thoughts which run through their minds.


2. God loves being in a relationship. The greatest events in my life are when my children were born. Holding my daughter in my arms. Holding my son in my arms. Relationships are important with God and what He has taught me is how to have a relationship with my children. I enjoyed doing a father and son campout. Being able to go one on one and learning the things he likes to do. We both are learning to shoot bows. He’s still a better shot than I am. My daughter enjoys shopping and eating out. I enjoy teaching her how men need to treat her. Opening the doors. Communicating. Learning about each other and sometimes it’s a challenge. My other two I enjoy being able to play games and interacting with them. Wow. Four kids. Yep. I love them all. Even though they still can beat me when we play Nintendo. My special blended family has taught me how God accepts everyone and the love He shares.

3. God never turns His back. One thing I have learned about being a parent is never turning my back on my children. Sure it hurts, when they do wrong, but they have to learn things on their own. My heart breaks when I explain to them the things we do not approve of. NEVER, will I stop loving them no matter how much they hurt me or don’t want to be around. They always come back. Why? Because love overlooks all kinds of wrong doings. They are my flesh and blood, but most of all they are my children.

4. God has taught me not to worry. Well, I must confess, I am still learning on that lesson. I know it is frustrating worrying about your children. I know I am a good father. I worry about if they will make good decisions and no matter what, I will be there for them. I have to let go and let God take over and not worry so much. I wonder if that’s another grey hair in my head.

5. Finally, LOVE. Love. I can’t say this enough. 1 Corinthians 13 is one of my favorite passages. Even John 3:16 is a favorite passage. Love covers wrong doings. Love doesn’t seek its own. Being a parent there are many sacrifices one has to make. I use to be a general manager of retail and restaurants but money was great but not for my family. I sacrificed money for my family. We live within our means. We spend time in playing games, reading together, doing things as a family and most of all eating at the table. Love learns to communicate in family discussions.

Therefore, for someone to say there are no parenting instructions, these are the five I have learned through the instructions of God’s love. God gave us His son, so that we can have a relationship with Him. I love my children and if need be, give my life up for them. I love you! Remember who you are.

Spend time with your kids, no matter what they feel, say, or do and NEVER turn your back on them. Receive them home and throw a party for we once were prodigal children. Thank you, Father for loving me, and sacrificing your son on the cross. There you have it, short and simple, five small instructions on parenting. I love my four children because my Father first loved me. Thanks for the great lessons!

Jesus Wept

I remember being in college and a group of us went spelunking. Laying out in the open and gazing into space. Wow! Stars to numerous to count. I wondered how Abraham felt when he looked into the heavens and was told to count the stars. In space it is an amazing showcase of colors being displayed. Stars, which appear upon earth as falling, are they merely stars or comets shooting across the heavens. Great medical discoveries have been made in outer space, but what impact does space have on the human body?

In space, astronauts cannot cry because tears cannot flow without gravity. Tears contain chemicals and hormones produced by your body. When you become upset, the mind overreacts and works overtime by producing chemicals and hormones. Crying helps eliminate the hormones that we don't need in our system. As your tears flow, the hormones disappear from our body. Tears help sooth our minds by withdrawing the extra hormones. This is why many people feel calmer or more refreshed after crying. As an infant you cried and it was your way of communicating. Then, as you grew into a child, you learned to speak instead of crying. When you were hungry, you could communicate that you were hungry and don't have to cry. At this point, crying begins when one becomes emotionally upset or tears of joy. You were given the natural ability to feel.

Sometimes women cry and they don't know why they are crying at times, because the hormonal level in women is very high and there has to be some type of release. What has happened between the times we were children to being an adult? As adults, some do not know how to handle hurt or how to let the tears fall. When you were a child and you felt the hurt of something, you began to cry. There is no time limit on crying and when you finished, your hurt disappeared. Why? It disappeared because you let go of the hurt through crying. You felt all your feelings and emotions. This is the natural process of feeling and letting go of your hurt.

Why do we forget this process, as we get older? When we were young we were been taught by our parents to fight the process. For example, some parents have said that boys don't cry or it's not proper for girls to cry." What about, "Men don't cry." This process teaches us to avoid our hurts. It hinders the healing process by stuffing our feelings inside and not letting them out. No matter how hard you try to hold back those tears, they will always come out. Fighting will only delay the healing process. Try not to avoid your hurt. You can't get away from it. You will continue to experience these feelings whether you want to go through them or not. Stuffing your feelings and holding them inside can sometimes cause illnesses such as stress, anxiety and even the extremes of breakdowns or coping disorders. It is your choice to heal or to be sick.

"Jesus wept." John 11:35 The shortest verse in the bible and yet so explosive in imagery! The Son of God crying can be seen as God's love and compassion etched into the scriptures to share the emotional compassion He shares with man. Jesus weeps at the tomb of Lazarus, his friend, the one he loves. How can one find such passion? He loved Lazarus and His heart of compassion allowed Him to cry, even though Jesus knew He could raise Him from the dead. How is it possible our crying can release the hurt?

By releasing your hurt, you have to be willing to experience the hurt, and by reassuring yourself it is okay to feel this way, you keep on crying. Crying is releasing your hurt. If you resist feeling hurt, then feelings and thoughts of worthlessness begin to take over and soon you feel like a failure or that you're not good enough to be loved. Then it becomes destructive. During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7 Jesus cried for us. He still cries for you to listen to His voice and to release your pain and hurt to him. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

When you let your tears flow you begin to heal your hurt and from healing, your life will begin to change. From this change you release the fear and upset. You then can fill your life with love. You can restore your life through Christ by allowing Him to create the life of peace. We have to be willing to release the feelings of fear and begin to trust. This unwillingness to let go destroys relationships with others as you begin stuffing your hurt deep inside. Life becomes more unbearable because you're also fighting yourself from releasing your pain. When you find peace in Christ, love begins to develop because God is love. When love exists in your life, take notice of how happy and free you feel. There are no more burdens. You become confident and effective in allowing Christ to control your life. This is the experience of love. This is what we want in our relationships and in our lives.

It is evident in Psalms; David stuffed his feelings and chose not to deal with them. Examine the following passage: When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Psalms 32:3,4 To create a life that works, you need to create action of crying and developing love and not resisting your tears to come to your eyes. David realized the power in confessing and releasing his pain. Examine the following passage: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah Psalms 32:5

If you feel so overwhelmed its time to ask God what David asked: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10 Now is the time for you to rid your feelings and cry out. Once you are able to empty your bucket of feelings then God will fill your bucket with love. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalms 63:3 Don't worry about failing. Let God support you. When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. Psalm 94:18 The next time you don't feel like crying, think about how Christ cried in the garden for you. Then think about how He died on the cross for you and cried out in a loud voice. It's time to let go and let God in. You cry. God will heal and can raise your heart from the dead to live again.

Set of Prints

Can you hear the whisper? Sometimes it is in a gentle thunder. Can you see Him? Sometimes He moves so fast, that it leaves light streaks in the sky. Can you smell Him? He is like fresh rain that falls, renewing everything it touches. Can you hear Him? I haven’t been able to hear Him. Why? How can I? If I don’t read the word and digest and chew on the thoughts He has passed on to me, how can I? David has taught me, “Be still, and know that I am God (Psalms 46:10)”. If I am so busy at work, school, family, and social life then how can I really hear? My mind is occupied and I am unable to hear. Turning off TV, radio and pulling myself into a quiet room, allows the peace. Most will say an idle mind is Satan’s way.

In a world where vocal thoughts are constantly projected, what is it that I hear? Too many negative thoughts and they permeate my very being:
It doesn't matter WHAT I DO, I will never be able to measure up!
There is nothing I can do that is never good enough.
I give it my best shot, and I will fail!
I am not a vital person to for others to notice! I am easily replace and forgotten!
I'm not making an impact.
I don't make a difference.
I am a burden on others.

Wow! What lies that steal the pleasure in knowing who I really am. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image (Genesis 1:26)”. When I struggle no wonder I can’t seem to move. My wheels spin as if they were stuck in the mud. I can’t get myself out and I have to call for help. When my thoughts swelter and crush me like thorns to a new vibrate plant, and then I know death will follow. Often I have compared myself to others on TV or in real life. This doesn’t help shape me in the image. Therefore, who am I?

I am a child of God. I am innocent and pure in His eyes. No wonder I struggle when I don’t hear. When I don’t digest and consume the thoughts and wicked man that I am when I fester and stew on falsehood of lies. “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. (Psalms 32:10).” Part of hearing is learning to trust. When I begin to trust then His unfailing love surrounds me. When I am surrounded by His love then I know who I am. Are you struggling with thoughts? Are you still trying to figure out who you are?

Don’t take one knee in prayer. That is only giving God half of you. Go to both knees. Humble yourself in the sight of our Father. Listen to the good things He has to say. What more do you want? “Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:3)”. When you’re having problems ask yourself, are you listening? There is a way He has provided. Which steps will you follow?

In the snow, my footsteps are large compared to my son’s. My son wanted to venture out and I advised Him to follow into my footsteps. He didn’t listen and ventured out into the snow. Needless to say the snow swallowed him up. I picked him up and set him on my path again. I looked back and can see my foot prints and then his inside of mine. Take a look and see are you seeing no steps or two?

When you fall don’t be afraid to allow Him to pick you up and start life over again. You can start life over. Once you do start it over allow Christ to be your pilot, Holy Spirit as your co-pilot and allow God to be your fortress. Remember to keep looking for those set of prints. If you need someone to listen to you and to give you a hand up, I am here. May God bless you. Your not a failure. God only turns it around to make a Yes for the Kingdom which brings glory and honor to Him.

Watered Coffee?

Have you ever had a thought about water? I can remember my school years and a particular class that challenged most students. Biology class. Exploratory surgery on a frog and the next year was a pig; Biology class was interesting, especially for boys, at the age they are ready to explore. As long as you had a teacher that kept things interesting, biology wouldn’t be so bad. However, having a teacher with a monotonous voice doesn’t help make anything interesting. In Biology class, we had to memorize the basic elements model. What a burdensome task! Now I have some idea about the weight donkeys have to carry when I ride them. I thought, I would never be able to memorize the elements table. However, the easiest and most memorable ones were for water (H2O). H2O is Hydrogen and 2 parts Oxygen.

Water is in everything. This brings up an interesting fact about water. Steam and ice are forms of water with all three having the basic element of H20. Steam, ice and water have different characteristics. Water is a liquid and is present in everything. Water heated up becomes something powerful, which is steam. Steam is like a ghost appearance. Ice is the solid form of water. All three have different characteristics, but all exist as one element of H2O. I have a lot of questions on how God work in our lives. The only way to explain it is in this way:H2O is the basic element of water. The Godhead can be equated to H20, which means it is in everything and it is the basic element. God can be an element of water, which means He is present everywhere. God also took on a solid form. Jesus can be an element of ice, which means He took on the solid form of the Godhead (H2O). The Spirit can be an element of steams, which means He is present like God everywhere but is a Spirit. Like steam looks like a Ghost. God is everywhere and is the element of Life. Without water you can not exist. Jesus is the solid form. When you add Him to your life He cools off the condemnation. The Spirit is present and is like steam that irons out the wrinkles in our lives. Everyone has different characteristics. Some are like carrots. You can peel way the layers, but underneath they are still hard, and if you try to bend them, they break in half. Sometimes they are the “root” of problems. Some are like eggs, which are very fragile and difficult in handling. Some are like coffee beans. They can be hard on the outside, but have a sweet fragrance about them. When life throws punches, how will you react? Like a carrot, hard but add them into the water they can become soft, but steamed they can bend. Add them on ice and they are preserved. Are you like an egg, fragile with a thin outer shell and when tossed you break? Yet, when life’s punches come like boiling water, you become hard on the inside and refuse to mold. You frantically fall to pieces but trying to hold it all together. However, when you add God to the coffee bean, what happens? It yields, but together with God you become a sweet aroma. I believe Paul wrote it in this way, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Cor. 2:15).” Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.

We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 When trouble start to brew, be like the coffee bean and remember the water, the ice and the steam all three is what makes the aroma in your life sweet and pleasant to those around you. "When troubles arise, know it’s the Lord who has you in His hands working out those things which for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" Phil 2:13. If you need help email me as a life coach, I can help direct you in a peace that passes all understanding. When you drink your cup of coffee remember it has to have water and without it you’re just a bean. Why not yield your life to God to be much more than what you can be? Never be complacent for improving.

Clay to Pottery

I enjoy spring and fall. Watching the Monarch butterflies migrating in August and September is breath taking. Ever watch a caterpillar become a butterfly? A caterpillar cannot become a butterfly without the struggles of coming out of its cocoon. If you give the butterfly help it will die. The struggle it endures strengthens its wings in order for it to fly. When there is no struggle the butterfly is weak and will die.


How does this work with people? Moses stuttered. John and Mark were rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob lied. David had an affair. Solomon had too many wives and concubines. Jesus was too poor and wasn't schooled in the right religious institutions. Abraham and Sarah were too old. David was too young. Peter was impulsive. John had a temper. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer, as was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed. Elijah was burned out. Martha worried too much. Matthew was a despised tax-gatherer. Noah had a drinking problem."


Wow and I thought I had problems. Trying to shove these skeletons back into my closet before they start wanting to party. After going through the situations I have been through I have noticed it made me stronger. God also uses our weaknesses for His purpose and His glory.

It was the thorough breaking down of Jacob’s natural strength at Penile that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was by breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb by the stroke of Moses rod, which it let out the cool waters to thirsty people. It was when the three hundred elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, which the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support. It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the whole house. It was when Jesus allowed His body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear that his inner life was poured out like a crystal ocean for thirsty sinners to drink and live.


It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by death that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus on and on, through all history and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual life, God must have “Broken Things”.
Surely God wouldn't want to use broken things. However, those who are broken in wealth, in self-will and in ambitions, broken in beautiful ideals and in worldly reputation; oft-times in health, despised, utterly helpless and forlorn, God seizes upon them and uses for His glory. It is the “lame that take the prey” Isaiah tells us. It is the weak that overcome the Devil. God is waiting to take hold of our failures and nothingness and shine through them.

Some people are like wheelbarrows; useful only when pushed, and very easily upset. The time to stop talking is when the other person nods his head affirmatively but says nothing. God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.

Sometimes your medicine bottle has on it, "shake well before using." That is what God has to do with some of His people. He has to shake them well before they are ever usable. The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps. We must step up the stairs.

2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Philippians 4:13 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Thank God, He isn't through with me yet. I am thankful and yes, hindsight is twenty-twenty. Now instead of looking back I look at the present in the way God provides opportunities to use my weaknesses and problems to help further His message. I am still the clay and He molds me and forms me into His pottery to serve others.


God loves you no matter what situation you are in. God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him. Don’t look at your life as having problems. Look at it as God is preparing you and strengthening you to become a better person. Don’t give up hope. Be patient and open your eyes to the unseen world that God works in us to help spread his message:
God loves you! No matter what situation you are in.