Happy New 2010 Year

The agony of a New Year where most begin their new resolutions. Why torture yourself to begin something new? Setting goals is great. Setting goals must be realistic. Happy New 2010 year and it is another chance for us to get it right. Is it possible? I've learned there will be mistakes along the way. There has to be. It all can't be right. Mistakes are what molds us into who we are. We learn from them and become better than where we once were. My habit of making plans and molding my life is a daily event for me. Not just once a year. Thats called renewing of your mind every day. (Rom 12:2). The trials we recieve rejoice in them because it makes you into a better person. However, if you enjoy making those resolutions keep in mind several things. Set your goals in such away that it is in alignment with His purpose for your life. Second, have a new attitude in your mind. Ephesians 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. What makes a successful year? 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 our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess 5:23). Happy New Year!!

Three Roars of Attack

Looking at the past causes you to miss the road ahead. Let God be the Pilot and not the co-pilot. Enjoy the flight. Look to the future of new opportunities. Never regret your mistakes. Like grapes being pressed into wine & aging to goodness. We too will give the best of our years to Him. Another year approaches. Will you be sweet or be the grapes of wrath? Just depend on Him. No Worries! Life is so intoxicating!


Knowing the roads you travel helps to see how to look at opportunities ahead. Letting God be the pilot is allowing Him to be in control. Scary! Especially, when you want to be in control. One thing which has helped my faith is exercising my faith. Exercising your faith allows you to grow and to discern what is coming at you from the spiritual realm.

Satan likes to attack in three areas of our lives. First is our self worth (Emotions). Notice he went after Christ when he was vulnerable. Christ was hungry. Satan wants us to doubt who we are. He told Jesus, "IF YOU ARE the Son of God" (Matthew 4:3, New International Version). If we know who we are we can always diffuse the situation with the thoughts making them Obedient in Christ and "living on every word that comes from God" (Matthew 4:4, NIV). When we live on the Words of God we are living on truth and not on the twisted lies of deception and doubt of who we are and what we are capable of handling. Satan likes using our emotions to put us into control of things instead of God.

Second way of attack is doubting (Intellect) who God is in our life. When troubles strike we wonder at God's powers to calm the "sea". Satan said to Jesus, "He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands" (Matthew 4:6, NIV). We can't measure God and we should not put Him to the test. Since the first attack didn't work, he goes to the other extreme and tries to test the control of God. He attacks our intellect to see if we are going to trust in God and then blame or become angry with God when it doesn't happen. He wants to see if we are dependent on God to provide us security, safety, and salvation.

Third way of attack is fleshy (Physical) desires. Amazing how Satan knows Jesus came from Heaven and trys to tempt Jesus with temporary pleasure. Satan said to Jesus, "All this I will give you". We have to know who is the True giver. When our emotions are strong in our self worth and knowing that God counts us worthy and that He will provide, Satan will try his second attack. When the second attack is strong in knowing that God provides, then Satan will try to attack us using our physical nature against us.

Finally, Satan left Jesus alone for the time being. We fool ourselves into thinking that Satan will not bother us and that we are safe from attacks. Thus, we are to arm ourselves with the armor of God (another topic to discuss later). We have to be on alert for our adversary. He went after Jesus again through Peter. Peter said, "Forbid it". Satan didn't stop there. It was when Jesus was vulnerable again in the garden that Satan tried his final attack. Overall, Jesus won and so do we!

Think of P.I.E (Physical, Intellect, Emotions) and how well it tastes. God provides us pie to eat, but it depends on how well we exercise our faith. Faith is the shield in the armor of God to deflect the missiles of attacks.God has given to us everything pertaining to life and godliness. It is up to us to choose it. May we keep fighting the battle, but knowing the war has been won!

Do Not Fear

The beauty of Christians can be found in Philippians 4:6-7. Paul reminds us to be careful for nothing, but in everything in prayer. Fear is my own acronym for Forgetting Everything About Righteousness. When we fear we forget our righteousness with God. For Paul continues to say, "the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ." Fear is the absence of peace. When we don't have the right relationship with the Father then fear sets in. The Holy Spirit has sealed us into his Hands. What Christian would want to walk away from the loving kindness and a living peace to go into a world of confusion and fear?


John (1 John 4:17-19) reminds us, our love is made perfect so that we have boldness in the day of judgment. Therefore, let us not forget everything about righteousness, but to stand boldly in love before Him.
 
Can you imagine Mary? Standing or kneeling humbly before the angels? A Savior is going to be born and she was the chosen one. Through her fearfulness we were given a Savior. Through Him all have been made righteous. There is no fear when one has the right relationship with Him. What a gift. Merry Christmas! For there is much to be Merry about for there is much in Christ to be joyful.

A Letter to the Government:

Dear Senator Coburn,


Thank you for standing ground on abortion. I have written to you in the past in regard to parental rights being equal with fathers. There has been some progress and thank you.

Now I am writing to you because I feel my pursuit to happiness is in danger. If the government becomes destructive of these ends, is it the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government? I am not asking or wanting the government to be destroyed, but feel the government is not acting on the best interest of its people. There are false promises by President Obama have been made and has destroyed the pursuit of happiness. It has destroyed my liberty.

Why is the government becoming a socialist? No accountability on the heavy taxes my money went to bail out corporations who scoff and want more. Why am I going to be required to purchase health insurance or pay a fine? That destroys my liberty in my freedom to choose. A freedom that I fought for in the US Army. Government does not do enough for disabled veterans or veterans. The price is too much for us to pay in our families. Increase in disorders and divorces and then a cycle of broken families begin.

Why is the government failing the people? Money to be funded for Afaghan when we have hungry people here. Lost of jobs and homes. If the country was founded on the bible, then why are we trying to get rid of things, which was founded. Would it not make sense to do a stimulus for families with debt of 20K credit card debt to be paid off or forgiven to boost economy, instead of the banks?

I am at a turmoil as to why the people are being left out what the government should do.
Would you be able to comment and share with the government.

by my service to my country:
Steven Hudgins

Be Thankful!

As He entered a village, ten leprous men who stood at a distance met Him; and they raised their voices, saying, ""Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!'' When He saw them, He said to them, "" Go and show yourselves to the priests.'' And as they were going, they were cleansed. Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, ""Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine where are they? "" Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?'' And He said to him, ""Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.'' Luke 17:13-19

Amazing isn’t it? Does this story remind you of anything? Read that passage again. Do you notice anything? Only one person came back and thanked Christ. Notice what Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well”. What about the other nine? They were cleansed but notice what the passage says. He was a Samaritan. Samaritans were a mixed breed of people. The Jewish community considered them low lives and minorities. They were not a pure race and yet he came and thanked Christ. Not only was his physical dilemma healed but also his faith healed him emotionally.

Colossians 2:6-7. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” One phrase stuck in my mind like being stuck in the mud. “Overflowing with thankfulness." It began to repeat itself over and over in my mind. It’s almost like singing a tune that’s stuck in your head from hearing it earlier in the day. Overflowing in some translations brings the mental picture of the Thanksgiving spilling out an abundant harvest blessing. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." What is in my heart? Complaining? Selfishness? Pride? -- or Thanksgiving?”

Thanksgiving is an outward giving of myself and it blesses God the Father while my complaining points only back to me and feeds my pride and dissatisfaction. Thanksgiving towards God and man fits the Great Commandment like a glove, to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. What better instrument than thankfulness to express love? Thanksgiving Day has always been a time of people and families coming together.

When you gather together for the holiday of Thanksgiving be thankful. Some do not have enough to eat. Some do not have houses. Some do not have families. The next time you take a bite of turkey, ask yourself this question: Am I being a turkey for not thanking others for what they have done for me? Life is too short! It will gobble your time away if you don’t take time to roost and to think about the blessings you have encountered.

God, Thank you for my wonderful friend, playmate, lover, and soul mate Tanya. Thank you for my wonderful children, Amber, Jon, Krista and Daniel. Thank you for my adopted mom and dad Jim and Wanda Crownover in Lubbock, Texas. Thank you for my grandmothers, Granny and Mama. Thank you for bringing me through tough times. What a life Father. It is a wonderful life. Much to be thankful. I can't wait to hug you! Amen.

So, be stuffed and overflowing with thanksgiving and be glad. Jesus died for you in order for you to live this Thanksgiving Day! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Will

Several things have come to pass the last four months in my life. When there is trouble like Joseph had, God turns it around preparing you for the better. Lesson learned: not to get discouraged in what happens to you, when others weaknesses seem to interfere. That interference is God working and communicating in you.


Storms rise and sometimes like fog blinds where we are going. Doing a Master’s course in Statistical Counseling is the fog. Getting a D (last two weeks of class) seemed uncertain and I doubted myself. When there is uncertainty in an outcome that seems bleak, you pray. This is allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf. Sometimes withdrawing like Elijah allows God to feed us; when we seem uncertain of the outcomes. Then God shows His “face” to give you strength. Fortunately, I received a B in the course.

Finally, I learned to test my faith through God. Romans 12:2, is one of my top scriptures I repeat daily; “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” I have learned to test from Abraham. Yes, God told Abraham he will receive possession of the land. (Genesis 15:7 He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."). Abraham walked the faith and did what God told him. Notice what Abraham said, “ v.8 "O Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?".

Sometimes, we have to rely not on ourselves, test the Will of God and do it. I turned down two jobs. First job would have me in poverty even though it was a field of work I wanted to do. Second job was great money, but hours with family would have suffered. The third job was a temporary position. I prayed about it and said you provided this for me and I will follow. I turned two jobs down and followed Him. I am blessed. Today, I will find out if it turns out to be permanent. Praise God for whom all blessings flow.

When we face uncertainty I feel three things need to happen. First, step back and don’t doubt and allow God to feed you for a bit. Second, pray and allow the Holy Spirit to act on your behalf before the father. Finally, test the Will of God and allow Him to show up. It is when we allow God the opportunity to show up in our moments of uncertainty, that our uncertainty becomes most certain.

Flying High

Much has taken place since my last post. Needless to say people are going to talk no matter what. Even if they feel it’s a “concern” they feel it’s necessary to gossip. How this hurts those who are wounded and those who are healed to reopen the wound. What’s worse is they don’t have the facts straight.

In order for the world to be a better place it has to start with a renewing of the mind. This means we must sacrifice our flesh desires and look into the heart of spiritual matters. What does matter?

It matters that God values you no matter what others think about you. It matters that God sent His Son to pay it forward. We are sinless in His eyes as long as we continue to walk the journey with Him. What a journey. How is your journey?

Sometimes we tend to look down and see what we are walking on. What should it matter what we are walking on? Too often we take our eyes off of the prize. Peter walked on water. He looked down and took his eyes off the prize. He doubted what he could accomplish.

We can accomplish much when we recognize, we can’t do it alone. You are not alone. Life flows smoothly when God is driving. He is not the copilot. He is the pilot of your life. When He becomes the copilot you're saying you’re in control and only will talk to God when you get off course. Why not allow Him to be the pilot of your life. You will never crash. You fly high. Even when storms arise and He is more experienced in flying then you, and I are.

Ready to fly high?

Instant Replays of the Past

I enjoy baseball (St Louis Cardinals) and football (Dallas Cowboys). Popcorn in hand, a favorite soft drink or a glass of cold ice tea in hand are great snacks and comfort food when your team is winning or losing. Instant replays are great tools to find out if something was correct or the error stands on tv. However, it is the instant replaying of the past in relationships that can be damaging.


In marital counseling, I have counseled couples on bringing up the past. Bringing up the past is like throwing darts. Darts are the damaging words and the target is the human soul which has suffered and mended. It is damaging. I appreciate my spouse because we have a rule, we do not bring up the past. We forgive and our behaviors modified, and we move on.

I believe when one brings up the past that it is a form of anger. It is a form of anger that is leading to sin because your tongue is not bridled and like steamy darts that seem to find its way to the bull’s eye. It hurts and causes more damage and harm than trying to get over the matter that is present. This is why I have set a ground rule not to discuss anything with your spouse after 7pm at night. It’s been a long day at work. You’re tired. Kids need to get to bed. It doesn’t help when your mind is on tomorrow and the tasks which need to be done.

Using spouses or anyone’s past mistakes as ammunition against them is not only hurtful, but it is also a sign of disrespect. Things which happened 12 years ago that has no bearing on present time. The present behavior never did reflect the negativity back then nor in the present. This does not warrant resurfacing. Nobody is perfect, and we are all tempted to use the past as a weapon. Regardless of how we think how well our memories serve us.

These things don’t just happen in marriage. They happen in work places. They happen in churches. God forbid it happens in churches, but it does. When someone brings up a concern about something 12 years ago in church is simply a worship, which leads to sin. When leaders at work, ministers or leaders at church or your marital spouse brings up the past what purpose does it serve? It only makes the gossiper, regardless of their intention, look bad.

A person’s life is not a football game to recall or do an instant replay. I have seen couple’s divorce over such matters. I have seen people leave work. Quit church because of people’s misconception ideas thinking it does good to drudge up past matters against any individual that doesn’t warrant such pain.

Handling such matter warrants much prayer. If you are in a disagreement, then fight fair. Leave the past behind. If you enjoy gossiping did you know your soul is in jeopardy? Ever thought the person prays in fervent prayer to forgive the past as you do? Then why bring things up, which have no relevance and are forgiven? It’s immaturity to resort to such things and sinful by bringing others in on the malicious replays of the past.

We are to encourage and to uplift one another. Thus UPLIFTING CHRISTIAN and not to tear down each other. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called, t so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). Therefore, bite your tongue, break the rewind button of your mind. Look at souls, which are dedicated to God before throwing those ugly darts of the past and not what your tainted view is of your spouse or the individual. Thank God for grace! Be smart about how you handle another person's life for it may be your very own.

From the Heart

My parents and I have not spoken in over a year. I have reached out to them to wish them a happy birthday, as well as other means, and no response. However, this fits into the scheme of things God still is alive and is working. He uses the good, the bad and the ugly to benefit His kingdom. No matter our spritual differences, I still love my parents.

I sometimes long for the recognition from them, but the older I get the more I learn from the Spirit. Sometimes we feel we do not receive the recognition we deserve. If we seek the recognition then is it self serving? What benefits can we receive from praise? Are we not to be confident and strong in Him who has called us? Our relationships with friends and family may be strained. Maybe, we can’t muster up the seed of faith and swallow the horse apple of pride. There is a reminder of what we are to do. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13 as a reminder to self. Here is my interpretation and hopefully it will help see the true nature:

If I voice my opinion and do not construct it in love, then it falls on deaf ears. I can have faith as a mustard seed, but faith will do me no good if I can not share the mountain of love.

If I share everything I have and my motivation is not out of love, then I don’t gain anything by helping others, because others will not see the sincerity behind the giving.

Love is the example of Christ. It seeks out the interests of others first no matter how strained the relationship is between two people.

Love doesn’t look at the past, but looks at the present actions and it will protect and trust and hope in the relationship preserving it for the future relationship.

True love which is from Christ will never fail. When we mature in our Christian faith and love together then our immaturity will be done away. Putting away such doctrinal and selfish issues which are not done in love will be done away with and when reaching maturity, those things won’t matter. What matters is the heart of those who I encounter in my daily walk, because it will be fully manifested. Faith, hope and love are what matters in the relationship, but love will always remain the most important. Love covers all.

The key is how we want to view the world, no matter how the world views us. If the world crucifies Christ, then don’t you think they would crucify you as well? Even if you are not a Christian or consider yourself a part of a faith based group, the world will turn its back because it doesn’t know love. Look at the murder rates, hate crimes, terrorist’s acts and then your environment.


How do you help those relationships to get back on track? LOVE. Letting Others View Edification. Look at the cup half full. Placing your trust in God knowing he will pull you through even the mud messes you have created. You have to edify Him first before you can experience LOVE of others. Love doesn’t have to be expressed on Valentines Day. It can be expressed in everyday actions. Therefore, have a heart and provide that CPR (Christ Provided Resurrection) to others around. You never know who is watching and the impact you can make on someone. If you are struggling just knowing that God loves you no matter what you do and desires to have that relationship with you. Be uplifted and spread the symbol: The heart!

Pay it Forward

How much are you willing to love God? Is there a day coming which we will have to be tested to prove our love towards Him? Could our love be merely based upon our lack of faith in knowing we need to rely upon Him for the truth? How far are we willing to prove our love? Sometimes it is a limited faith which prevents us acting out on our love towards Him. God expressed to Abraham in Genesis 22:2, "He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

He tested Abraham's love by offering up what he mostly desired.... his only son.... Therefore, is Christian willing to give up their desires (doctrine, religion, idols or whatever prevents them to grow or to move forward) to love God as He commanded? What limits or boundaries are being placed in your life in order for you to reach your full potential? Drugs? Alcohol? Lack of self esteem?

Sometimes we believe in lies in which we tell ourselves, which limits our ability to grow. If you truly want to feel loved, so that you can obey the command which has been given to all mankind, “”love your neighbor as yourself,” then you must die to self. Difficult to die to self, and I am not speaking about picking up a gun or a knife and committing suicide.

When is the last time you gave up your last dime to feed someone who was hungry? When was the last time you gave up your favorite shirt to someone who was cold and needed something to warm them by when it was 40 degrees outside? Could you be willing to give up your favorite television show to just spend one hour visiting someone who was sick in the hospital? What about volunteering for big brother or sister and provide a healthy mentorship to a teenager just starting in their life?

Sometimes we have to give up what we want the most in order to find the true happiness only. He can provide. Pay it forward and expect something in return. For too long the feminist movement has expressed to love and expect nothing in return. God doesn’t work that way. He says to give and you will receive. Give your love to someone and sacrifice and watch how well you come alive again in love for other and a deeper love for Him.

Suffering from depression? Suffer from anxiety? Suffer from suffering? Have you had enough? Take the challenge. Pick up the challenge and run with the baton of life and hand it off to someone who needs that extra push in life. Like any race we run, we will win the reward, and you don’t have to be in the first place to reap the benefits. Pay it forward to someone in need.

A friendship was won when a person at work was suffering from a lack of water. The water line busted and flooded the front yard. She was devastated. Husband had no job and the income of $12 an hour was all they had to exist on. They already had a prior expense and talking about another blow from Satan when they were already down and out. Going on vacation I could have used that extra $100.00. Instead, I sacrificed it for her family and didn’t miss it. It was enough to know they could rest at night knowing they can take a clean shower in the morning. The lack of money on mine and their parts didn’t matter. What matters the most, was that God’s love is shared and the hearts were beating.

Sometimes it is a realization, we have to sacrifice things in our lives in order for us to feel alive again. Next time if you are in an argument with your spouse, sacrifice your desire to fight back and say a kind word and see what happens. Love is amazing. Love is the cure to depression. Pay it forward in the language the other person can understand.

Rotten Apples

We all have heard the expression one bad apple spoil the barrel. What do we say when we come across a rotten apple?


“Throw it away”

      “ That’s gross”

                  “It’s useless”

From our perception, we feel it is useless. Maybe a worm got into the apple and made it rotten? Could a worm be sin in our lives that makes us rotten? What if this rotten apple was in the kingdom of God? Do we consider people like Judas as a rotten apple?

Maybe we would from our perception. What if Judas was a baby during the time Jesus was a baby and Herod had all the male babies killed. What if Judas had been that one male baby that was killed? Would have there been a rotten apple? Would there have been one to have betrayed Jesus? Would have Jesus been crucified? We tend to act out in a reaction of something being negative and on impulse we try to shun or drive away the stench that is under our noses. There is one who has turned those rotten apples into use. Christ.

Ever felt your life was full of rotten apples? You think how I can ever turn back into a good apple. It’s impossible to do. Notice the first words in those thoughts. “HOW can I ever?” We can’t. Let’s change this negative view around. What good does a rotten apple bring?

You may not be able to make an edible apple pie. The apple brings life and it may be rotten. If you use it in your land, then it becomes like fertilization, and it becomes stimulating to the plants. The plants grow and it produces more food or apples. Sure, we may think Judas was a rotten apple, but he was used as fertilizer in the use of the kingdom to grow love for those who feel rotten.


How often do we think we are bad or people who have mistreated us as rotten apples? How many times have we misspoken and just wanted to chuck them aside? Don’t feel rotten. Sometimes we have to remove the worm (sin). We have to believe in a God, who is the God of the impossible and to make all things into the possible.

God can change your life around to a positive. Sometimes, in life things seem to be bleak. Losing a job recently seemed to forecast a shadow of the unknown. Did it seem like a barrel of rotten apples? Yes, it seemed to me, there were rotten apples. I could have sulked in the cider of it all and become bitter. However, I chose to look to God to change the situation into a positive apple pie. I have a great supportive church family, a great wife and a better job than the one I had before. Those were all the ingredients’ that I needed in my life and the limited income (oven) baked me into something better than were I was. A new person and refined into something better. 

I realized I became too comfortable in a setting that I thought God wanted me in. That’s the good part of this. What I thought was the stench of a rotten apple, He chose to pluck me out of the barrel (my comfort level) and use me somewhere else. What about the unknown? He tested me. We triumphed. The apple pie is in the oven. Salvation smells great.

At the moment, we may feel we are in a rotten or in an impossible situation and be like Judas. We can begin to think upon giving up because things are looking like the impossible (rotten) and there is no way that it could become the possible. David wrote that we need to sit patiently and wait on the Lord (Ps. 37:7). Sometimes, we have to become rotten in order for something better to blossom. Allowing it all to be possible, and it isn’t done by our hand, but by His hand. Three weeks I was unemployed. Jesus was in the grave three days and it seemed to be rotten to mankind at the time. However, God, rose His Son from what seemed to be in the barrel of impossible rotten apples into something better. I’m ready for some apple pie! Want a slice?

Word Up!

Interesting how words can either make a heart mend and feel a beat, or make a heart bleed when words penetrate through the heart. What about words which bring out the truth or words which bring out the false accusations. Joe Wilson wasn’t able to hold in what he thought was the truth. Yet, two words will go into history. You lie.


Now he stands before men being ridiculed and punished for speaking the truth. Have you ever felt this way? You know you did nothing wrong, and you stand for the truth which makes others mad. David felt this way. Want to know the remedy? A great passage can be found in Psalms 37 “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

It is difficult when you want to retaliate against those who scheme their ways against you. Things in your marriage can rather be difficult because sometimes if you do not fight in a healthy manner, attitudes can go into disarray. Want a healthy relationship in your marriage? Want a healthy relationship at work or with your family? Creating words through writing or journal through patience creates an ambiance of tender words, which is music to those who are willing to listen.

It isn’t hard to do. You have to exercise your brain like you exercise your body. David knew exactly how to react when others were bashing him. He waited patiently on God to give him the answers. What is the answer you may ask? “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. However, the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace” (Psalms 37: 5-11).

It becomes difficult when you want to do what the rest of the world says to do. Get even. People make mistakes. Kanye West made a mistake in taking the spotlight away from Taylor Swift. Sometimes in the heat of the moment we tend to lose sight of our steps, and we stumble over the words we spit out onto the floor. Yet, Mr. Wilson is demanded to make a formal apology to President Obama. There is nothing, off the record. Not even for the President. It is rather ironic in life how President Obama calls Kanye West an improper name and doesn’t apologize.

When you feel you been wronged, let it go. It isn’t worth the strife of muddling through the mess of words and exchanges of unkindness. David took it to the One, who can handle it all. “The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him” (Psalms 37:39-40).

When you feel down and out because of words take comfort and knowing this. There is one Word, which you can take to heart. There is one Word, which always will set you free. One Word: JESUS. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort, we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

If you are like Mr. Wilson, keep standing for the truth. If you are like Kayne West, apologize with sincerity, and believe that you are forgiven. If you are like President Obama be careful of your words for you don’t know who will be listening. Finally, if you are hurt by words and actions of those around you, remember to be patient and look to Him for comfort. The wicked will be like grass and wither away. Don’t try to get a word up for it may get you a word down and you don't always have to get a word up.

Playing Games

I enjoy playing family games with my family. Jon loves playing chess. Amber love playing monopoly. Daniel likes playing Star Wars on the WII. Krista loves playing scrabble. Tanya and I enjoy playing the WII.

When I was in the Army we use play games in the field. The field means out in the middle of nowhere sitting in our tents next to our Hummers with communication equipment. We would sit in our tents and play “bones” (dominos) or Spades and Hearts (card games).

If you don’t have a bible you can use a deck of cards to help you in a devotional time when you play solitary. Here is my version:

The ACE stands for God because we are to worship only ONE. (Exodus 34:14)

The TWO reminds me I can’t serve two masters. (Luke 16:13)

The THREE stands for the making disciples by the name of the Father, the Son and the Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

The FOUR stands for the gospels which recorded the events of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. (John 20:30)

The FIVE stands for the loaves and two fish as a reminder you will always be fed by Christ and the little we have can be accomplished by much through Him. (Matthew 14:19)

The SIX stands for reminding me I am just a man created in His Image. (Genesis 1:27)

The SEVEN stands for forgiveness and how often I need to forgive others when I am wronged. (Luke 17:4)

The EIGHT stands for salvation and how 8 lives were spared and how water saves me by washing away my sins (1 Peter 3:20, 21)

The NINE stands for reminding me how thankful I need to be and not be like the nine lepers who never came back to thank Christ for healing them, but to be like the only leper to be thankful. (Luke 17:17)

The TEN represents the commandments and rules to which Christ took away and gave one command to love others as myself and to love God with all my heart, soul and mind. (Matthew 22: 34-40)

The JACK represents a service and how I must serve others (1 Peter 4:10)

The QUEEN represents the willingness of Mary to bring a savior into the world. (Luke 1:38)

The KING represents Jesus Christ, since he is King of Kings. (1Timothy 6:15)

The JOKER represents Satan and how he tries to joke around with my life with his foolishness. (2 Corinthians 10:11)

The deck has four suits. A reminder of my relationship with the trinity: God as my father, Jesus as my friend and Holy Spirit as my comforter.

The deck has 13 suites as a reminder of Christ and his twelve apostles who followed suit in Christ’s steps.

Overall, life is not a game. Spirituality is not a game. I believe we are to be seeking God in everything we do and have a relationship, He desires. After all, He did give up His Son for you and that my friend, is no game!

Free At Last

It is rather difficult in this day and age in finding a belief which seems right. There are so many different faiths and religions, which makes the choices difficult. We are let down by some because what is preached is often not is. What is practiced within the community? It is granted we are human and we do make mistakes, but it is the repetitive mistakes which are costly to the cross of which Christians are called to bear. When we continue in the lifestyle, we lose sight of our faith.


I often wondered what the disciples were arguing about with the religious leaders in Mark 9:14. Maybe they argued on they didn’t lay their hands just right, or they didn’t say the right words to cast out the demon. Sometimes we go through life, and we wonder how we can get rid of our bad habits. For some maybe it is the demon of alcoholism. For some maybe it is the demon of pornography. For some maybe it is the demon of substance abuse. These are the chains which bind us to unbelief and lead to arguments of how to rid the chains.

It is interesting that Jesus had asked, “how long as the boy been like this?” First, we need to look at the conditions we are in. How long have you been in the state you have been in? How long have you been depressed? How long have you been doubtful? How long have you been drunk? How long have you been possessed in looking at pornography or substance abuse? Looking at how long can also reflect a problem to which we need to address. We try and try repeatedly to find that job and to no avail, we lose our motivation. We try and try to quit the very thing we don’t want to be in, and we lose our hope. How long have you been angry with God because you lost someone?

It is interesting how sometimes we go through life saying, “if you can”. Lord, if you can, please provide me a job quickly, so that I can feed my family. Lord, if you can, take my depressed feelings from my heart, so that I can feel joyful again. If is a word, that destroys our faith and beliefs of the possible and no action of making things happen, when action is needed to get rid of the state you are in.

Your mind is the same as your body. In order to get the best use from your body, there has to be an exercise. Exercise your mind by putting the positive thoughts and rid yourself of the negative thoughts. When Jesus said, “how long shall I stay with you”, is showing His patience to all mankind. All you have to do is seek Him to overcome your unbelief. It is easier said than done. Doing it is the hard part, living it is the easier part.

Finally, we can’t do this alone. Notice the disciples tried and they couldn’t, but in Luke 10:17 they rejoiced because they did. This is something they encountered, but this one is different. When we encounter things in our lives it serves a reminder, we can’t do things on our own. It takes prayer to move the mountain and to overcome the impossible. Exercise your faith through prayer. It is a baby step at first. Soon you’re running the race that is set before you. If you need a prayer, contact me. There are prayer warriors within my congregation who believe in a God, who can help you overcome, a Savior, who can help bring you through, and a Spirit to comfort you in your times. You are not alone in your depression. I have been in depths and snares of darkness. My chains are broken and I have been set free. Pslams 16:16

Unknowing the Fear

I had a great study last night, and it will be a four week study of the fear of the unknown. It looks at the life of Abraham and how he had the faith to endure the unknown. Leaving family and going to a place unknown to him. The question and answers in our group were interesting.

How do you classify fear? Fear could be (F)alse (E)vidence (A)ppearing (R)eal. What evidence do we see, which appear real to cause us to fear? I am not sure if it is fear of the unknown. You may disagree with me on the unknown. The unknown could be a word, we are afraid of and surely this is how prejudices start and misconceived ideas because we lack the knowledge of what we do not know. False statements we feed our minds are like wood to a fire. It stokes the fuel and feeds off of the thoughts creating a torrential flood of creativity of the what if’s and could be’s without having training or knowledge.

Fears start by the false lies we tell ourselves. We are fearful of losing a relationship. Lies such as I am not good enough for them. I am not worthy to be loved. Fears of losing a job and having to find another one could be another fear of the unknown. The false lies can set in after several weeks of rejection letters or no responses. What if I am not qualified? The economy is so bad there is no use in looking for a job.

Our thoughts control our actions. Our actions are controlled by our beliefs. What exposure have you had in your life with God? He says, don’t worry about your life (Matthew 6:25), don’t worry about clothes (v.28), what you will eat (v. 31), don’t worry about tomorrow (v. 34) and don’t worry about what to say when falsely accused (Mt. 10:19). I agree to make up your mind beforehand (Luke 21:14). This means we must take our thoughts and captivate them to make them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

I know what you are thinking. I use to think the same way of this is impossible. It is too hard to do. First of all, reread this first sentence of this paragraph. It is too hard to do. This is a lie, we begin to feed ourselves that it is hard. It is only hard as one wants to make it. Sure when I lost my job, I had the negativity, and it is being human. Then I had to remember who was in control. I prayed and asked for deliverance of those thoughts. I hit the ground running applying to positions to which I felt qualified to do. I prayed before I went to each interview. You have to make baby steps to get to the big steps of just walking the path with HIM.

There are conditions in our walk with Him. The condition is making an effort to try. Peter did when he walked on the water and was he ridiculed for failing to do it? No. He had a helping hand. Jesus asked him why you doubted. Peter didn’t doubt in the power of Christ. Peter doubted himself that he could do it, but became fearful because he took his focus off of the ONE, who made it possible.

The more I walk with Him the more amazed and the less fearful of the unknown. There has to be a repetitious deliverance. Just like walking. The more we learned to walk the more stable we become. It is when we take in the negative thoughts is when we begin to stumble around. It is like drinking alcohol, and you begin to relax your composure, and you don’t know how to act and you stumble and can’t walk very well. I have lived in the unknown and have walked on water. Actually, it was frozen water. The bay in Japan was frozen. I still had to have faith on walking on something solid. To conquer the fear of the unknown is ridding your thoughts and making them captive through obedience of Christ.

It is easier to fear. It is harder to have faith. Exercising the faith builds up the strength and allows God to work through our weaknesses. Are you ready to face the unknown? What are your fears?

Wall of Life

A long time ago, in a state far, far away, well maybe not that far away, where many memories of my childhood still linger. On my twelfth birthday, we moved to Rapid City, South Dakota. We moved from San Antonio, Texas where the heat during the summer was 105 and the winters were mild. I can only remember the snow twice out of the seven years of living there.

We moved during the fall and the first snow of the winter in Rapid City was relentless. Blizzards and no not the kind you can get at Dairy Queen. Blizzards like the ones Laura Ingals Wilder experienced on The Little House on the Prairie. There was no school and the mail usually runs because of snow tires and chains they used to get around. When I was getting ready to go outside to get the mail, I opened the front door, and it was completely white. A wall of snow stared right back at me, and it looked like a huge polar bear with its back up against the door, blocking my exit.

Literally, I had to go out the back door and dig myself out of the wall of snow, which blocked my front door. I have never seen so much snow that first year and the temperature had to be at least 10 degrees. One of the benefits of being a kid is shoveling snow for your parents and at the same time taking your time to play in it.
I never really thought about the wall of snow, but life can be a wall sometimes.

Ever been faced with a wall? Walls are a reminder to stop and to reflect and not necessarily to make you go around. In 2 Samuel 22 he writes, “You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into a light. With your help, I can advance against a troop; with my God, I can scale a wall. "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

Sometimes, the walls we face, serve as a reminder of One who is in command. I face a wall now in my life with a new career. It serves as a reminder, I can’t do it by myself. Walls serve not as a hindrance, but as a reminder that you can’t go through life and do things by yourself. The walls of Jericho were the first walls the Israelites encountered. They were used to doing things on their own and God was showing them to trust in Him. Balaam a prophet had his foot stuck between his donkey and a wall. There was an angel blocking his way. Balaam wanted to do things his way, but the wall served as a reminder of waiting patiently.

No matter what situation you are in and you feel you are up against the wall, walk backwards and reflect on the purpose of the wall. Walls are there to reflect and to draw closer to the one who needs you. Don’t give up because you can’t seem to get a job right away. Don’t give up. The walls can be tumbling down. Be encouraged to know there is One who can help you scale the wall or tear down those walls. Even walls in relationships can be torn down. Don’t lose heart. It is by FAITH (Heb 11:30) that your walls can fall. Are you willing for Him to help you overcome? Remember, it is a reminder you can’t go through life doing things on your own. As Samuel said, “the LORD turns my darkness into a light. With your help, I can advance against a troop; with my God, I can scale a wall. "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

Book of Life

The old saying, “Can’t judge a book by its cover,” is true. However, it raises one question to mind. What is the title of the book? Is it your birth right name? Names other people call you? Does it have a catchy title?

You are the author of your life. Your actions are the quill and the tomorrows are the blank pages ready to be written. Authors endorse other books they may like. Obituaries are those endorsements to your life at the end of the book. There are no manuscripts. Mistakes are made, but to the Editor (Christ) they are wiped out.

I had the pleasure of going to Boevers Elementary and sitting in a friend’s special education class. Vicky is a terrific school teacher. School teachers are like editors who help students write their pages of life. Connecting to children who have Down Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome, Austims, Spinal Bifida, and Intellectually Delayed (ID) is challenging. This is like picking up a mystery novel, factual biography, a romance novel and reading all of them at once, without mixing the stories up, while recanting a synopsis of each book. It is like trying to speak different languages all at the same time.

How is your book coming along? It’s full of mystery. It’s full of sorrows. It’s full of romance. It’s full of comedy. I still go to the mirror and laugh at myself! Each page is unique and each chapter presents a unique happening in your life. No matter how hard you try you can’t rip the pages of the book out. It is what it makes you unique and special. I want to encourage you to get to know someone regardless of what they seem to be on the outside.

As we get older the outside cover may have some tear and wear. There could be some mishandling of the book. We all have had those days that we felt that coffee stained days or spilt milk crying days. What matters the most is the impact you have on others. You may never see it now, and it is interesting in the paths of those who choose to judge us by our cover or be in our written pages of life.

Jesus said (Matthew 19:14), "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” and I wonder why He chose children. Here is the inspiration behind His calling. Children are pure and innocent. Children are full of laughter, curiosity and can forgive in a heartbeat. We need to be like children again, and I don’t mean not taking on responsibility of foolishness, but to have a heart easy to forgive, full of exploration and having fun.

It is easier to succumb to the dark side. Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader, Star Wars) was warned like Cain (Able in Genesis) was warned about the dark side crouching at the door like a lion. We have choices to choose. When you get discouraged; pick up a book and read. Be encouraged by it. Write a page in your life of how you overcame life. Like a teacher has an impact on children, you have an impact on your readers. May this encourage you in your writing days of life.Have a heart of child. Someone is enjoying the pages of your life. Be encouraged.
May your ink never run dry!

Head games

Preseason football is done and over. It is a game to test the will and strength, but a mind challenging game. On 4 September 2009, I am happy that my team, Dallas Cowboys won. They played their second string and by the first half, they were 14 in the hole. Wow! This reminds me of my life sometimes.

Sometimes you feel like Elijah and want to crawl in a cave and bury yourself in misery. However, there has to be a team effort. I enjoy the story of Joshua defeating the Amalekites. Moses, Aaron and Hur went on top of the hill. Almost like spectators waiting for the game to begin and root the team on to win. Moses held his staff up high. As long as the staff was raised Joshua would win. When his arms grew tired, they lowered, and then Joshua would begin to lose.

What is the strategy to winning? Find a support system which will help support your arms, while reaching for God. If there are anger or issues, which are causing depression, then learn to forgive. Outstretched and nailed arms did Christ forgive those who crucified him.

Sometimes, life can deal us with terrible blows. First instinct is to run and hide. It is what we call in counseling the flight or fight. How do you get rid of the trigger to fly? Build your faith in knowing you can overcome through the strength of the Spirit to get you through anything (Phil 4:13). If you begin to feel you are second string, just know that there is a good work beginning in you. Find you a support group like Aaron or Hur, who can come and hold you up.

Prayer is the ultimate key to success. I know sometimes it feels like He doesn’t listen. Problem was I had too much noise going on while being caught up in the storm. Remove the noise. Find a place you can retreat and meditate. Sure being laid off from a job is not fun. Human tendency is to retreat into fear and thinking how in the world are you going to pay your bills. My fear was the noise. I have to have hope and confidence in the Spirit to comfort me.

If the Cowboys are playing their second string and they can receive the ball and run a 73 yard touchdown, then so can you. You have to be willing to be the receiver and be able to run with the ball when it is given to you. Don’t let life tackle you! The super bowl is already won! Christ is your Quarterback. God calls the plays. Paul says to be fit and run the race. Therefore, run with endurance and be a wide receiver making those touchdowns. Hear others cheering you on!

Get out there and make the touchdown and rejoice in knowing you are a WINNER. You only lose when you don’t try. Is your head in the game?

If you think you are second string in life, then get your head in the game, and know that you can still make a touchdown in life! Grab the ball and run! If Cowboys can win coming from a large deficit and still win... so can you! Don’t let life tackle you! Remember your Super Bowl is already won! Christ is your quarterback. Are you a receiver? Go make a touchdown! You are already a winner!

Thoughts

Thoughts. Wondering. Pondering. Thinking. Sometimes you take a break and leave the blog empty. Now, thoughts roll in like a tidal wave crashing on top of you and you are trying to catch your breath as you drown in the sea of thoughts.

Sometimes we think we have everything just perfect in our lives. I believe that is why storms crop up and rear its ugly head within our lives. It rocks our boat of comfort to see if we will jump ship. It rocks our boat of comfort to see if we will fight the fight and bail out those issues which seem to make its way on deck.

Amazing how several men are professionals. Able to handle the troublesome issues within the realm of their profession, and yet in a single moment, the wind rocks the boat. Waves crashing. A furious squall batters at the boat and the passengers within.

Curious as to their thoughts and human thoughts create the fear and negative self-talk. “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
Teacher got up and said: "Quiet! Be still!"

I have never fully realized the context of Mark 4:39 and the power of three words. It is true the winds stopped and it was completely calm. Yet, I believe Jesus was talking more than just to the storm.

He is talking to you and me. We go into a panic mode and we forget our professionalism and lack of confidence and faith. We forget who is in charge of our lives. They forgot who they spoke to in the cabin below.

"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

When Jesus asks us to be still and to be quiet; why are we still afraid? Why do we lack in our faith during troubling times and when we make it through we wonder how we made it through.
When trouble strikes in your life the positive attribute is to think of being quiet and still. Don’t panic. Watch the thoughts and be careful of the tidal wave which could be too much to bear. Being a professional doesn’t mean you know or that you can control everything.

Why are you so afraid?

My fear stems from not allowing Him to control my life enough to allow the peace that fully passes all my understanding. Therefore, be quiet and be still and allow the spirit to reflect upon the Savior. Like water which may be churned, but still reflects the image it holds.

Be still

Put the pen down. Tuck away the keyboard. Take a break from life. Breathe in the air that God first put into your heart. Meditate on the words and feel the peace of stillness.

Fear factor

In his Pulitzer Prize winning book, “The Denial of Death”, Ernest Becker speaks of the fears that we grapple with in each of our lives. Some of those are fear of rejection, abandonment, failure, separation, and loss. However, are those mere manifestations of the one ultimate fear - the fear of death? Maybe he is right! How do we overcome that ultimate fear?

Faith. It is the only antidote that will exercise the demons of fears that can haunt us. For some, death takes away our control of our life. Can death be seen in divorce? Can death be seen in alcoholism? Can death be seen in abuse? Death is after destruction of a storm that has weathered in our lives. Death can be seen in divorce as an end to a relationship. However, the haunting of the other spouse continues to rehash the pain and there is no control.

Death can also be seen in alcoholism as it kills relationships with others, or the body and sometimes the consequences of drunk driving. There is no control when a drunk kills. Death does take away the control of life. Have you ever seen the movie “Meet Joe Black”? It is the spin-off of an earlier movie entitled “Death Takes a Holiday”. There are no boundaries when it comes to human life. When people are faced with death, hair turns white and the skin turns pale like white ash. Death is like a black blanket overwhelming your breath and you lose control to its powers. You find yourself surrendering helplessly into the blackness.

Stephen Crane wrote a poem: A man said to the universe, "I exist." "That may be true," said the universe, "however that has never created in me a sense of obligation to you." There are many of us who can relate to Crain and have cried out in pain and despair. The cries can be heard or sometimes we turn to our own self-devices to ease the pain. We usually pray and expect something to be done.

What do we really expect God to hear, to care, to act? Or, are we only talking to ourselves? On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.

A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Mark 4:35-41

People who loved Him deeply asked two of the most compelling questions in the New Testament of Jesus. When a fierce storm threatened to sink their boat in the Sea of Galilee. His disciples asked, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" (Mark 4:38). On another occasion, Mary was listening to Jesus, and Martha being upset and furiously barged in from the kitchen and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? (Luke 10:40)

People who had seen the power of Jesus and expected Him to step in and relieve their anxiety asked both questions. When it seemed that the Lord was ignoring their situation, an element of exasperation was added: "Don't You care?" I woke up one morning at 4am and heard my daughter crying in her room. I gently called to her as I was getting out of my bed to go see her. “Amber… Amber. Are you okay?” She said she was scared and I explained to her to come with Daddy. I held her in my arms and we fell asleep. The next morning as I was taking her to school she held my hand and looked at me with tender eyes and said, “Thank you for cuddling me and keeping me safe last night.” We do not know the voice in which Jesus spoke to his disciples but I can only imagine He could have used a gentle voice like I used with my daughter.

Listen and imagine Jesus saying the following, “Why are you so fearful?" "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things" When we're feeling alone or overwhelmed by our circumstances, we often cry out, "Lord, don't You care?" But when Jesus calms our storm and speaks our name, we realize that we have much more to learn. What can we truly learn from all of this? Have you really read the scripture? Let’s pull something out of it and examine it more closely. Notice these men were fishermen! They have been through storms before! They were veterans and they were confident in their own strength. Jesus was fast asleep and the storm didn’t bother Him. When we begin to rely on ourselves we begin to think that we don’t need God. We try to fix our problems by ourselves. When we have God in our lives we can sleep through the storm and be at peace in knowing that He will take care of us.

We know what it feels like at times to wonder whether God cares or whether we matter. Then it happens in our life, much like it happened to the disciples. Suddenly, Jesus speaks a word and the storm is over. It has passed. On the surface it would seem that the problem of the disciples had been solved, and they would cheer in celebration. But understand what the text says because the implications are great. Rather than removing their fear, Jesus multiplied it. They had been afraid of the storm. Now everything was up for grabs. Everything they had known and everything they had experienced was questioned. This person could speak a word and calm the wind and the water!

When God is working in our life, the peace is so overwhelming we become afraid of it. Maybe God has put someone special into your life and you are overwhelmed by it. We are much more comfortable when we can explain things, when we are able to categorize and to use God’s message in our lives. However, when God breaks through the storms in our lives, sometimes He has to calm the child and not the storm. God has to enable us to trust in Him.

Nobody is trouble-free. God's people are not exempt. When faced with troubles, we often turn to God and see Him more clearly or in a new way. He often molds our life through trouble. Will your trouble make you bitter or better? If your storm is still in your life then God is trying to calm you and hold you. Sometimes the Father is already calling you and wanting to invite you into his arms of safety.

When was the last time you looked with tender eyes and said “Thank you for holding me last night and keeping me safe”? Let go and let God control the storm. Let Him calm the inner child within you by being aware of the signs and messages He gives you. Peace be still. Are you ready to let go of the control in your life and let God weather the storm for you? Don’t be troubled by many things for this only strengthens the storms in your life. Don’t let the fear of death take you away from God.

Peace be still.

Say it over and over and soon you will have peace. Just fall asleep in the boat of your life and let God bring you safely through the storms of your life. Peace be still in your heart. You don’t have to worry about the economy when you know your riches are in Him who will provide as long as you have faith.

May God bless you and let Him calm your soul.God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, Psalms 46:1-2

Gone Batty?

Bats are the only true flying mammals that are primarily nocturnal animals. Occasionally, sometime before sunset, many fly early in the evening capturing insects. Being mammals, bats have hair and they give birth to living young and feeding them on milk from mammary glands. Bats are more abundant in the tropics and there are more than 900 species of bats worldwide.

Beyond the common myths that bats can’t see, it is scientifically known that bats can see better than we do at night and many bats can “see” in the dark by using echolocation (or sonar). Echolocations are pulses of very high-frequency sound (inaudible to human ears) at a rate of a few to 200 per second. Bats listen to the echoes reflected back to them and they can discern their flight path. Their ability is so acute that they can avoid obstacles such as a thin piece of thread in complete darkness and are also able to capture tiny insects while in flight.

In the world of pain and sorrow and prayers that seem to go unanswered, sometimes there appears to be no hope for the future, especially when you cry out and all you can hear is an echo. Climbing high into the mountains one can scream and hear the echo pierce the sky ringing back with what seems to be an answer. “Hello?” The echo comes back repeating in harmony: ”Hello?” It’s almost like looking in a mirror. You can see your reflection and now your voice comes back giving you the same reflection you once blurted out. “Where are you?” Still being consistent, the voice rings back: ”Where are you?” Sometimes we get frustrated with the answers we get back. Then we blurt out, “I’m here stupid” and as it forcefully goes out into the land, it bounces back threefold as it answers to you, ” I’m here stupid”.

Perception plays a key role as we begin to communicate. Sometimes we do not realize what we are sending off by our body language or by our words. Without thinking or realizing the surroundings that we put ourselves into, we get upset. Sometimes through frustration or anger we blurt out, “You’re the one that is stupid”, and yet life throws its same response in unison to us as it echoes back from the mountaintops, “You’re the one that is stupid.” Have you ever gone into a cave or a cavern? You can make a sound and it echoes back to you. Whether you are on top of the world or whether you’re down in the earth, there is always an echo wherever you go. Does it ever make you stop and think, realizing that most likely you will get back what you are putting into it?

“Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:38

Hello!”

The echo rings back positive with no question as it shouts back, “Hello!” You can hear the enthusiasm coming back in your own voice from the echo. Mustering all the strength you have left in you, you begin to yell. “You are a great person!” And being in consistency, it rings back like if you were looking at a reflection of yourself in the mirror. “You are a great person”. Whatever we put into our lives is what we will receive back.

There might be a person that perceives you different than you perceive yourself. When you believe you are a good person knowing that you give to others and someone indicates that they don’t think you are, it causes you to evaluate yourself. When you know your own heart, then you will know their perception is not a true reflection of who you are. It is just a delusion that may force you off your beaten path of service if you allow it. It is my prayer that you won’t let that happen.

Life is filled with negativity. I wonder how many of us are negative against life or even ourselves? Want to stop the cycle of feeling bad? Want to stop the cycle of wondering if someone will treat me right? Want to stop the cycle of feelings of how you feel?

Listen to your echo in life. Just as the bats use echo to guide them in the darkness, we too can use our echo of our voice to guide us through our times of darkness. Listen to the echo and be like a bat and allow the echoes to guide you. If we are made in HIS image shouldn't the Bible be an echo to our life? Remember what we give out to others is what we will receive in return. If we are judgmental, then others will judge us in the same manner. If we are forgiving then others will be forgiving in the same manner as we are. If we play with people’s emotions then it will be returned to us. “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31

Okay. I know what you are thinking because I have been there too. There are some that you give to and you feel spent because there is nothing coming back in return. Remember echo has to have something to bounce off of. What if a person is foggy like a mirror? You can’t see your reflection. What if a person doesn’t realize how to give and has not elasticity to return anything to you? This is when we have to move in a different direction until we find an echo that is able to give.

Hello? Hello? It makes a difference in how we believe in ourselves. It makes a difference in how we believe in ourselves. I did that on purpose so you may understand that you are a good person. God made you in HIS IMAGE. If HE gives us His love shouldn’t we love as well? What about the person that can’t give back? You just keep on loving them and maybe one day it will return to you. Remember everything we do is in HIS timing and not ours. Follow HIS voice. “And He was saying to them all, ""If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:34 Hello! You can do it! Just believe! It will be measured to you as it runs over into your lap. Are you listening to your echo? Does it reflect Jesus in your life?

For Better or For Worse? Doing the impossible: LOVE

Job 1:20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

On 21 June 2001, a dark day for a successful family man that also worked for the NASA's Johnson Space Center. Russell Yates had five children. Their mother, Andrea Yates, had drowned four sons and one baby girl in the family’s bathtub in Houston, Texas.

Andrea Yates, 36, could face the death penalty if found guilty of killing her five children. Mr. and Mrs. Yates were married for eight years. Mrs. Yates suffered from postpartum depression after the births of their two youngest children, and was also distraught over the recent death of her father. These events sparked another lapse of depression. '

'I've got really two tragedies: one is my children and the other is my wife,'' Yates, 36, said. ''What happened was just incomprehensible . . . . One side of me blames her because she did it, but the other side of me says she didn't.'' "She wasn't in her right frame of mind. She loved our kids. Anybody that knew her knew that." ' 'I've got to remember she wasn't herself. . . . And Andrea, if you see this, I love you.'' (taken from watching CBS News)

Can something good come out of something so tragic? I will let the one that reads this message determine this answer. This is a tough message to write as I struggle within to pull something good. However, I didn't have to pull anything good out of it. It's already there. Can you find it? Do you see the good?

Perception is everything. To perceive is to pay attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a conclusion or come to the realization of events or facts that has taken place in one's own environment. When one has the right perception without being deluded with false information or false ideas, one can have a clear perception to handle accurately the situation that occurs around one's own environment. The focus and perception must have God centered first. One can not change what happens to them but one can change how one thinks and believes about those situations one encounters.

Two people came together eight years ago and were married. For better or for worse are vows that both had made in a commitment before God and to each other. The worse has happened and notice what he said. "And Andrea, if you see this, I love you.'' No matter what she had done he still stood by her and told her he loved her. It reminds me of this verse, 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

No matter what a person might do in one's life God will always love. David knew the love for he expressed it in his writings of Psalms. Psalm 136:26 Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. I am not condoning what she did was right. I am thanking Mr. Yates for his example. Whether he is a Christian or not, his behavior and commitment is an example to everyone. The question remains within this message: Can one maintain the love one has after the tragedy this man has gone through? It's a matter of one's own perception.

Do you know that when one may sin in one's life that God will also continue to love? 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.Just as Mr. Yates is patient with his wife and I'm sure he doesn't want his wife to perish.

The point of this message is not to say to keep sinning, so that God's love will keep flourishing. The point of the message is to continually trust in God even when you do wrong and to know that His love is unfailing. Psalm 52:8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

One should examine to see if one could have the attitude of Mr. Yates and be able to continue to accept and to love another person. Second, one should trust in the Lord when tragedy strikes and not to blame God. Job didn't blame God. Third, recognize that when one sins, one can be forgiven. Finally, remember that it might seem impossible to forgive or to love but with God all things are possible. Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Keeping in mind with this attitude one can do anything and to forgive and to love one has a much happier life because God gives that peace that passes all understanding.

When tragedy strikes in one's life just remember how to look at it with God. Allow God to work in your life. Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Love others no matter what happens and be able to forgive, BECAUSE OF HIM, He continues to love us and continues to forgive us. How much are you willing to love?

Forgiving the unforgiven

Wherever one may go in life they must remember the Spirit of God that has called them to freedom. Sometimes one has allowed friends, jobs, or family to quench the freedom and kill the life within. Soon, one could find them burned out and imprisoned to the earthly things of which one has been called to freedom. Thankfullness for life disappears.

Prison or jail is not fun. When I was working in the Criminal Investigations Unit for the United States Army, I was able to go to a prison and sit in a pod and watch the inmates. I often pondered what they did in life to put them in this predicament. There were some in prison for being a murderer, some were dealing drugs, some were being a drug addict and in all these cases a wrong or an injustice was made upon a victim. Just being physically imprisoned is nothing into comparison to being emotionally imprisoned.

Many relationships are destroyed by the unwillingness to forgive. Some people want to be able to forgive others or even ones’ own faults and mistakes made in life. Some want to hang on to the suffering and never see closure, in which causes them to be a victim to themselves. Some want to destroy other peoples lives for mistakes which were made to them. Hanging on to a wrong is like keeping a slow stewing volcano within ones soul. The next wrong being done can cause an extreme explosion of anger and violence.

Don’t believe me? Remember Columbine High School shooting? What about a spouse that holds on to a suffered wrong and then lashes out in anger because something else just lit the fire. Holding on to suffering from wrong doings is painful and it keeps one stuck in the tar pit. Being stuck in a tar pit like a dinosaur. It will only devour one and soon makes one a living fossil. How can one be able to let go and let God? It is all in perception and attitude of how to encounter the situations one may face. The reality is recognizing that God is in control and that the power to choose to forgive comes from the strength of God.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

If I had a bucket full of rocks is it full? Some have answered yes. If I had a bucket full of water is it full? Some have answered yes. However, if I had a bucket full of rocks it isn’t full. I can still put gravel in, along with sand and water. Then the bucket becomes full with substance. If I had the bucket of water then it is full and if I was to add other things to it, the water would over flow. This was the meaning behind Paul’s message in Colossians. One must put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Notice that Love is the last mentioned and it could be that Love is the hardest to obtain over compassion or being gentle. Love covers a multitude of things.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.When one has love it is easier to choose to forgive than to hold anger within and never to forgive. Take a big rock and drop it into the bucket of water. Notice how it splashes everywhere. That is anger without forgiveness. Take gravel and pour it into the bucket of rocks. Notice how the gravel blends and melds with the rocks? That is compassion working with gentleness and allowing humility to offer forgiveness when sand and water are added in and together it binds it in love. What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is a way of releasing the pain from the actions of others. From the release one ceases to be a victim and it releases the judgment against the offender. Forgiveness is not just for the offender but mainly designed for the forgiver.

Forgiveness is a release from the pain and wrong doing that one has suffered. It is a gift and comfort of peace that mends relationships. What do I mean? Joseph suffered wrongdoing by the hands of his brothers. Genesis 50:17 `This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept. Forgiveness started from God. Man sinned from the beginning. God sent His Son down for one to be able to be forgiven of one’s sin. Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. It is because of HIM all are forgiven. Be free today and forgive others and one will begin to see the burden will be up lifted. Forgiveness is as if nothing has happened and you work together in rebuilding the relationship.

Depression is caused by many things and not forgiving and harboring bitterness is one of them. Jesus could have harbored ill feelings to those who wanted to kill Him but instead, He asked God to forgive them. Life is better when you let go of the wrong which has been done to you. Open you heart and forgive and you can see the burden lifted. God forgave us and that burden of wrong has been lifted. Someday He is coming back to take us home. Don't let an unforgiving or spiteful attitude bind you to the cross. Let go and let GOD uplift your spirit. It's all about Him. Yes, we all make mistakes and yet we are all forgiven. Thanks to the Father for the gift of Grace.