Time to get with God.
Then . . .
+ Get up.
+ Get going.
+ Get breakfast.
+ Get out.
+ Get working.
HAVE MORE – – – WANT MORE
March 23, 2024 By Leave a Comment
If you have more, you want more.
Does every human being have this problem ?
Many people who have less, have less problem wanting more, than those who have more.
Question:
Is it really easier to be content, when you start getting more, and more ?
Consider the frequent statement of people commenting on their years growing up ‘poor’:
“We didn’t know we were poor, because we had each other, we had family.”
– – –
Does every human being want more ?
Severely persecuted Christians gain a perspective for us to ponder, on this question.
More than anything else, they ask us to pray—
— pray that they are not forgotten.
— pray that they will forgive their persecutors.
— pray for strong faith, to endure, and to continue boldly witnessing for Jesus
— pray, not for their deliverance, but for their perseverance
— pray for non-persecuted Christians to experience the closer, sweeter walk with Jesus like they have through their persecution.
That takes care of the human condition of wanting more than we need.
When all is stripped away that we usually want more of, then we want to be closer to Jesus, and closer to other Christians, through suffering and sacrifice.
“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”
– – –
How much do we want ?
How much do we need ?
How much, to be content ?
– – –
Have less—Have more.
Have more—Want more.
Pray for . . . More ?
Pray for . . . Contentment ?
– – –
I recently realized that ninety percent of my prayers were asking God to make life easier.
Valid prayers ?—but there’s a higher plane.
Praying for more ?—or praying for contentment.
“I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.”
A WOMAN HAS A RIGHT TO HER OWN BODY
March 23, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Every woman has a right to her own body when her mother is pregnant with her !
DEVISE
March 20, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Definition:
concoct; to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
Synonyms:
invent – – – construct – – – design – – – produce – – – manufacture
contrive – – – come up with – – – think up – – – conceive
fabricate – – – drum up – – – hatch – – – cook up – – – make up
envision – – – imagine – – – trump up – – – improvise – – – visualize
dream – – – coin – – – vision – – – fantasize – – – daydream
extemporize – – – picture – – – ad-lib
– – –
How many of those synonyms seem to apply in America today . . . ?
+ politically—
Reread the list, with politics in mind.
invent – – – construct – – – design – – – produce – – – manufacture
contrive – – – come up with – – – think up – – – conceive
fabricate – – – drum up – – – hatch – – – cook up – – – make up
envision – – – imagine – – – trump up – – – improvise – – – visualize
dream – – – coin – – – vision – – – fantasize – – – daydream
extemporize – – – picture – – – ad-lib
+ culturally—
Reread the list, thinking about the cultural tsunami wiping out everything in its path.
invent – – – construct – – – design – – – produce – – – manufacture
contrive – – – come up with – – – think up – – – conceive
fabricate – – – drum up – – – hatch – – – cook up – – – make up
envision – – – imagine – – – trump up – – – improvise – – – visualize
dream – – – coin – – – vision – – – fantasize – – – daydream
extemporize – – – picture – – – ad-lib
+ morally—
Reread the list, observing the moral freefall today.
invent – – – construct – – – design – – – produce – – – manufacture
contrive – – – come up with – – – think up – – – conceive
fabricate – – – drum up – – – hatch – – – cook up – – – make up
envision – – – imagine – – – trump up – – – improvise – – – visualize
dream – – – coin – – – vision – – – fantasize – – – daydream
extemporize – – – picture – – – ad-lib
+ spiritually—
Reread the list, in light of the ‘no man’s land’ with eroding spiritual foundations.
invent – – – construct – – – design – – – produce – – – manufacture
contrive – – – come up with – – – think up – – – conceive
fabricate – – – drum up – – – hatch – – – cook up – – – make up
envision – – – imagine – – – trump up – – – improvise – – – visualize
dream – – – coin – – – vision – – – fantasize – – – daydream
extemporize – – – picture – – – ad-lib
+ financially—
Reread the list, and wonder what we’ve really created.
invent – – – construct – – – design – – – produce – – – manufacture
contrive – – – come up with – – – think up – – – conceive
fabricate – – – drum up – – – hatch – – – cook up – – – make up
envision – – – imagine – – – trump up – – – improvise – – – visualize
dream – – – coin – – – vision – – – fantasize – – – daydream
extemporize – – – picture – – – ad-lib
– – –
I came up with this ‘word for thought’ as I was reflecting on how many Americans ‘revise’ Jesus’ words about money.
I thought to check out if ‘devise’ was a real word that might fit.
WOW !
Fits all over today.
YOU HAVE A BABY !
March 20, 2024 By 1 Comment
You have a baby inside, now !
Your baby started living before you knew it.
Your baby started living from conception.
Your baby started growing since conception.
Your baby will keep growing until it is ready to come out.
Your baby will keep growing after it is born.
Your baby will keep growing until it is an adult.
– – –
YOU HAVE A BABY !
– – –
You have a choice,
What do you want ?
– – –
Do you want a living baby ?
– – –
Do you want a dead baby ?
– – –
You have a living baby now.
KEEP YOUR BABY ALIVE !
– – –
(Inspired listening to Jeff Shreve on American Family Radio 3-8-24)
“IT’S NOT ABOUT MONEY” ?
March 20, 2024 By Leave a Comment
I’m amazed once again to hear financial advisors consistently, at all cost, avoid applying Jesus’ comments about giving it all away.
“That does not literally apply to us.”
“It’s not your money that I want—it’s your heart.”
—–Jesus’ words explained, revised, devised.
So, it’s not about money ?
It’s about heart ?
Really ?
I thought Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart WILL BE also.”
+ Sounds like money and heart are tied at the hip.
+ Sounds like any attempt to separate is not Biblical.
Can I say my heart is right, and selectively apply only some things God says about money, that confirm my plans ?
+ Sounds like if Jesus told American Christians the one thing they lack is to give it all away to the poor to follow Him, they would “go away sad, because they have great possessions”.
How about sermons on that ! ? ! X
– – –
But you’ll never get anywhere telling them to change their comfortable message about money.
Daddy didn’t get anywhere telling church people what Jesus said about money.
Jesus didn’t get anywhere telling successful (politically, financially), religious leaders to change their ideas about money.
May I strongly suggest reading what Jesus said about money in the Bible—straight from your Bible—not what someone says the Bible says.
– – –
+ Current, American Christian financial teaching . . . is a very narrow, selected part of the Christian experience, at best.
+ Current, American Christian financial teaching . . . applies, at best, to a very narrow slice of Christianity, historically, and worldwide today.
LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!
March 16, 2024 By 1 Comment
Since Christianity and Jesus’ relationship to His Church is compared to a husband/wife relationship, I thought I’d try an allegory with the song and the Christian life.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful
— If we live as authentic Jesus followers, we will not be comfortable in this world.
— “In the world you will have tribulation . . .”
But the fire is so delightful
— “. . . be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
— “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”
And since we’ve no place to go
— “Who do I have in heaven but You; and there is no one I desire on earth beside You.”
— “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
— “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.”
– – –
Man, it doesn’t show signs of stopping
— “Relent, O Lord, how long . . .?”
— “My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O Lord—how long? Return, O Lord, deliver me.”
And I’ve brought me some corn for popping
— “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
— “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
The lights are turned way down low
— “When evening had come, Jesus sat down with the twelve.”
— “When evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
— “Let the lower lights be burning,
Send its beams across the waves.
Some poor wandering seaman
You my rescue, you may save.”
Let it snow, let it snow
— “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.”
– – – – –
When we finally kiss goodnight
— “Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more.”
— “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”
How I’ll hate going out in the storm
— “I send you as sheep among wolves; be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
— “Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus.”
But if you really hold me tight
— “I am with you always.”
— “Those whom You gave me, I have kept, and none of them is lost.”
— The Holy Spirit is the warmest Comforter ever, forever.
All the way home I’ll be warm
— The Holy Spirit is the warmest Comforter ever, forever.
— The river Jordan only chills the body but not the soul.
— Home, Home, Home at last, forever.
– – – – –
And the fire is slowly dying
— “The love of many will grow cold.”
— “Stir up the gift of God which is in you.”
And, my dear, we’re still goodbyeing
— “Because I said, ‘I Am going away’, sorrow has filled your heart.”
— “I go to the Father, and you no longer see Me.”
But as long as you love me so
— “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
— “Lo, I Am with you always.”
Let it snow, let it snow, and snow
— “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.”
RETIREMENT – – – SHORT TERM – – – L O N G TERM
March 16, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Retirement – – – Short Term
— someday, if you live long enough
— maybe, unless 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 happens
— everybody get ready, if you have enough money
— save, invest, prepare, live for retirement
Retirement – – – Long Term
— one day, no matter how long you live
— definitely, no maybe
— everybody get ready, no matter how much money
— get ready now, or not ? ? ?
WHERE YOU AT ? – – – WHERE YOU HEADED ?
March 16, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Do you know the answer to the first question ?
Where are you now, in the things that matter in life, “in the things that are for keeps” ?
Do you know the answer to the second question ?
Where are you going in life, and where are you going after life ?
How ? and Where ? do you get answers ?
Most people try to come up with their own answers.
That may work for many of life’s day-to-day decisions, to be successful, to make it another day, year, decade.
But sooner or later, after a number of birthdays, or crises, or close calls, or funerals of friends and family—who can tell you what you really need to know ?
Over and over people have found that the answers are not found where they were looking.
Everyone is looking for God, and how to please Him.
In desperation, people make up ideas, religions, rituals, and behavior to get right with God.
For one thing, they can’t all be right.
So, one must be right—different than all the rest.
Yes, there is one true God.
And, He told us, in writing, Who He is, and exactly where we are, and where we’re headed—and our condition is not pretty.
But, He told us, in writing and in action, how He fixed that.
“God loved the world so much, that He gave His only dear Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Jesus in the Bible is the answer, the only way to God.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to God the Father except through Me.”
You can stop searching—you’ve found what you’re looking for.
Talk to Jesus, believe what the Bible says about Him , and believe what He says in the Bible (the two verses above).
Tell Him, “God, be merciful to me a sinner”, and Jesus says you will go home justified before God today.
Where you at ? – – – I’m a forgiven sinner.
Where you headed ? – – – I’m going to heaven.
RESERVES, OR ACTIVE DUTY SPECIAL FORCES ?
March 16, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Christians, where do you stand ?
Are you safe—or signed up, sold out, for special service, for any service, any cost ?