Today I feel Love...Today I am filled with Hope. Faith carries me onward.
What is Love?
Merrian Websters Definition---
Love
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lufu; akin to Old High German luba love, Old English lēof dear, Latin lubēre, libēre to please Date: before 12th century 1 a (1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (2): attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3): affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests b: an assurance of love 2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion 3 a: the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration b (1): a beloved person : darling ?often used as a term of endearment (2)British ?used as an informal term of address4 a: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1): the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2): brotherly concern for others b: a person's adoration of God5: a god or personification of love The word Love is used in the Bible (NIV) 697 times
Love is a complicated word actually. We throw it about at the ends of conversations on the phone. "I love you honey bye". We use it to describe things. "I Love the Seattle Seahawks" or "I Love that shirt". We use the word Love in relationships. Sometimes one week after meeting someone, we are saying "I Love you". Truly Love can be used soley as an expression of speech. But the Love I am filled with is not some flighty version of Love it is entirely different, and often times the word Love is used in romantic relationships too lightly. I am learning there are some different forms of Love and that they all have their place in our lives.
The 3 Types of Love--
1) Eros love - known as "erotic love". It is based on strong feelings toward another. It usually occurs in the first stages of a man-woman "romantic" relationship.
This type of Love is found in the early stages of a romantic relationship. It is a love that says "it feels good to me to love you". I have fallin in love with somone and so she looks so amazing... This type of love is one that is, at some level, self centered. It is about the way I feel when I am with you. It is just to early in the relationship for it to be real Love. (more on real Love later)
2) Philos love - a love based on friendship between two people.
This type of Love gets closer to the real deal. It is based on friendship. It is a common Love and a Love that I have for many many people. "I Love John" Alan is my best friend, I could say for sure that I Love Alan. I simply would do things for friends. I would stand in the gap for them, I would help them move from home to home. I would rescue them in their time of need. I pray for them. This is a good Love. We all have friends that we Love, and that Love us. Romantic relationships that start with this type of Love tend to be more successful, and lasting. I heard it said that if you want to be happily married even in your old age find someone you can have good conversations with. Their conversation skills will be of great benefit after all the children are gone, and your to old and grey to do much else. Friendship Love is a good foundation for true Love.
3) Agape - unconditional love.
Agape Love is true Love in my humble opinion. It is perfect Love. Since it is perfect Love, we in our human condition can only experience this Love at an imperfect Level. The "Self" will get in the way at times, but Agape Love is a Love that we can all strive for in our relationships. Who doesn't want to be loved unconditionaly. "I Love you no matter what". We say things like that and yeah we mean them, but truly we are imperfect and later "fall out of Love"
Agape Love is selfless. It is doing things, loving people, without expecting anything in return. It is the Love that we have for our parents. It is the Love our God has for us. It is "True Love". It is the Love that God had when he sent his son to die a painful aweful death for everyone of us. It is a beautiful Love.
It says in the Bible that a Man should Love his wife as Christ did the church. This is Agape Love. It means to die to ones self over and over. It is setting aside A mans own needs, wants desires, for the sake of those of his Wifes.
It says in the Bible that a Woman is to submit to her husband. This to me, means, respect your husband, because he is suppose to be loving you as Christ did the Church. Christ died for the Church and all of mankind. Submission at some level means Respect. Respect feels like Love to a man. Being a Man I can't emphasize that enough. Respect feels like Love to a Man. A man is put in a position of leadership in his home. A leader in many ways, but most importantly a Spiritual leader. It is His job to lead by example with His own Walk. He is to be the one blazing the trail ahead for his family straight to Jesus. If a man loves his wife as Christ does the Church, the Respect he needs will come easily from his spouse.
As Men and Woman we are created differently with different inherant skills and abilities, made to compliment one another in a healthy relationship, with God as the center and foundation. A couple whom reads the Bible and Prays together is more likely to stay together until death do them part. It is critical for me and for any Christian couple to lay the foundations of your relationship on God. He is the Solid Rock on which we can build our relationships. Without his blessings a relationship is doomed to fail and or be miserable.
That all being said, I can attest to the fact that I have failed miserably in relationships before. I have not loved as I was called to Love. I now see things with a clearer perspective, by the Grace of God. I understand my role, I understand that I am to be selfless. For me it was and will always be a challenge to set aside myself. No matter how self less I get I will need to be even more selfless. I am selfish by nature as are most all of us.
I Love. I Love so therefore I live. I live for others, and for God. I want to share the peace that comes from knowing God and walking his path. I love you. I love people. I am changed. I am blessed by the trials in my life as they have not beens stumbling blocks, but challenges that build my charachter. God does not put obstacles in our paths to trip us up and laff as we fall on our faces, they are there to mold us, make us, challenge us, to build charachter, and transform us more and more into what God wants. He wants to use us. He has a plan for each of our lives, and if he has to bring us to our knees in order to get us on the right track he most certainly will. As it was with me. Broken and on my knees. It is all out of True Love for each of us. Count your trials a blessing. They will change you when you "seek ye first the kingdom of God" ...
I Love. I Love. We should all Love, more..
I have a favorite chapter in the bible. I used to quote it alot but I hadn't considered it with my new mind. Feel free to read it as I will postit below. In closing-- Know this, You are Loved, You have the capacity to Love others, and to Love others from a well spring that is unlimited you must be first filled with Gods Love. He fills us up so that our cup over flows, it flows out of us like light from a glorious sunset to the people all around us. You then can Love others abundantly, without running dry.
1 Corinthians 13 1IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such [a]as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2And if I have prophetic powers ([b]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or [c] in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing. v 4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy ([d]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].
9For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).
10But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.
12For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as [e]in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand [f]fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been [g]fully and clearly known and understood [[h]by God].
13And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Faith hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love..
God Loves you, Are you loving those that have been put in your sphere of influence? Love everyone and forgive everyone of everthing everyday..
Love, By Grace, In Him
Yours truly
sMitty
Monday, October 20, 2008
Words and the Tongue Blog #9
Words and The Tongue Written August 20th 2008
Current mood: animated
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Words, the tongue and Wrath
People really do judge you by the words you use.
I wear my heart on my sleeve and rarely do I keep my feelings to myself. I often times say things before I even think about what I am saying. This happens at home and at work. Even worse I am an idealist in an unideal world. This leads me to talk even more when I probably shouldn't. Once I set a standard of living I tend to try and apply that standard to those around me. Yet I am learning. I have learned alot about words over the years. Lately I am careful about what I say, who I say it to, and when I say it. I am also careful with what tone of voice I use, and I am learning to be tactful in my conversations.
Swear Words
I used to swear alot back in the day. I must have learned in Junior High. If you have read my Blogs I have surrendered my life in a new and wonderful way to the Lord. Since then I have been convicted of the swearing. I can picture myself in my mind saying the words I used to say and it sounds unintelligent to me. It seems to take more intelligence to express yourself without using slang and or swearing. At least that's just my opinion for what its worth.
Harsh Words--
Heated Words You can probably remember a time when someone said something to you and it hurt so bad that you are still affected by it today. It is like a festering wound that seems to never heal. We all have all had those situations where something was said that has impacted your life almost indefinitely. Words said in Anger. "Your worthless" "You are never going to amount to anything" "I never wanted to be with you in the first place" "I have always hated you" " You are ugly" " You are fat" All of these things are generic hurtful things. Here is where it gets even worse. Maybe you are in a relationship and the person you are in love with finds the "weak spot" in you. They find exactly what to say in those moments to hurt you and cause unreal pain. As a child I gained a fear of abandonment, so this is the best way for someone I love to hurt me. To threaten to leave or to threaten to end the relationship. That threat has been used on me in almost every Love relationship that I have been in. It was used so much by one particular person that I took that power away. (More on this later). Truly we have all been on the other side of this when we used the right words to stir up wrath, pain, and blackness. I know I have. I knew the weak spot for my mate. I used it too. We are all guilty. Somehow we all have to learn to fight fair. Learn to calm down before we say words that can last a lifetime, and or destroy any potential hope for the relationship in the future. The Bible talks about the "tongue" alot. It talks about anger, and even states that it is OK to be angry. It truly is OK to be angry. It is how we deal with that anger that matters the most. It is how we choose to say things that matters.
James 1:26-27
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. NIV
James 3:5-12
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. NIV
That just about says it all. The book of James is amazing. Truly we are to keep a tight wrap on the words we use. We are to be thoughtful even in times of anger. I know when I am angry I just want to speak my mind. I am learning to control this. Now that I have controlled it I see the results. It is a powerful. So when we’re in a fight its like being in a war, and even in war there are rules of engagement. It should be the same in arguments. There ought be some things that are just off limits. In a marriage the "Divorce" word ought not be brought up in the heat of the moment. That word should be used only after careful consideration of all options at hand, and in my opinion it ought be a last resort in most cases.
I have seen enough, heard enough, been witness to enough abuse both physical and verbal to last a life time. I have seen the tongue cause people to flee, and run from churches, jobs, and relationships. The tongue is a powerful thing with lasting effects. I see the tongues wag in churches. I hear church members gossip, and the sad part is the gossip ruins the gossipers ability to minister to people. I just heard someone tell me last night "after hearing what was said I would never want to go to church again". It is disturbing and sad. I hear the words of anger, gossip, self righteousness, and judgement. God is the ultimate judge. God is the ultimate orator. This also ties into my blog on elitism. Those that don't see their own sin, those that can only see the sin in others.. Sad very sad.
Tone and Tact
How we say things is as important as what we say. For example. I recently tried to explain to someone how their actions made me feel. She replied "I am sorry you feel that way" My response to that same situation with the roles reversed would have been " I am sorry that I made you feel that way. What is it I did that made you feel that way" This is called tact. "You verses I" "You" blames others. "I" takes responsibility for my own actions, rather than blaming. I listen to people talk in their marriages. I hear "tone" It is impossible to explain tone in a text format because you can not hear it. It truly is the tone of voice that we use, the context of what we say. I could correct someone and use an angry tone or I could use the same words in a loving and caring way and get a better result. We have to be careful not to talk down to others or to demean people with the tone of our voice.
Interesting Facts The average woman uses 20,000 words in a day. In the same day a Man uses about 7,000 words. Do you get that ? A lady uses on average about three times as many words in one day as a man.
For example you might ask a lady "what did you have for lunch?" Her response might be..
" Well funny thing is I was suppose to have lunch at 1pm with Jenny, but instead sasha took the one a clock lunch and I had to wait until two, so I ended up having lunch with Betty because she always has the two oclock lunch. She always eats at Popeye's for lunch but today its Thursday so I told her about the lunch special over at Quiznos. You know they have those great $5 footlongs on Thursdays. You should try one honey. You probably wouldn't like the mayonnaise though they always put to much on it. So anyway Betty and I went to quiznos and there was this long line, I was kind of surprised because it was after two o'clock by the time we got there, and that's not really lunch time. We both ordered foot long sandwiches and I had the french dip style. I love their Au jus at Quiznos. So Betty sat there and told me her whole life's story. Did you know she has been married three times?" ...... and it goes on from there..
So you ask a guy the same question. 'What did you have for lunch" He would probably say
"I had a french dip at Quiznos" Get the picture?
When it comes to words men and women are very different. Not better or worse than the other just different. None the less it is important to listen. It is important as a man to listen to your spouses "lunch story" no matter how little it makes sense to you. She values your time and your ears. We have been given two ears and one mouth for a reason. Maybe we ought listen more than we talk? Listen and carefully contemplate what you are going to say. Chances are the less you talk the more people will listen.
Lastly... I mentioned earlier that I took the power away that someone had over me.... You might wonder how I did that. It is simple. I used to be afraid of separation, or a failed relationship. I still am at some level, however I now realize that my true happiness and hope is in the Lord. When our true self worth is tied to a healthy relationship with God it takes away some of the power that others use to hurt us. It allows us to realize that all people will fail us, and yet our hope is in a star breathing, omnipotent God.
Put your faith, your hope in Him. Let God fill that God shaped hole in your heart and you will have an inner peace...
And very last. Do not let the sun set on an angry heart, as this will give the devil a foothold.. That's what the bible says. We have to resolve anger before the day is over. If not the anger turns into resentment, and as I have said before the resenter is the one that suffers the most not the resentee... God is good, patient and faithful to finish his work in you. Can we be patient enough to take the time to think before we speak, to consider the life long implications of what we say? I say we can as long as we are in the Spirit and look to God to help us in every situation...
Hugs, Love, and Peace
in Him,
sMitty
Current mood: animated
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Words, the tongue and Wrath
People really do judge you by the words you use.
I wear my heart on my sleeve and rarely do I keep my feelings to myself. I often times say things before I even think about what I am saying. This happens at home and at work. Even worse I am an idealist in an unideal world. This leads me to talk even more when I probably shouldn't. Once I set a standard of living I tend to try and apply that standard to those around me. Yet I am learning. I have learned alot about words over the years. Lately I am careful about what I say, who I say it to, and when I say it. I am also careful with what tone of voice I use, and I am learning to be tactful in my conversations.
Swear Words
I used to swear alot back in the day. I must have learned in Junior High. If you have read my Blogs I have surrendered my life in a new and wonderful way to the Lord. Since then I have been convicted of the swearing. I can picture myself in my mind saying the words I used to say and it sounds unintelligent to me. It seems to take more intelligence to express yourself without using slang and or swearing. At least that's just my opinion for what its worth.
Harsh Words--
Heated Words You can probably remember a time when someone said something to you and it hurt so bad that you are still affected by it today. It is like a festering wound that seems to never heal. We all have all had those situations where something was said that has impacted your life almost indefinitely. Words said in Anger. "Your worthless" "You are never going to amount to anything" "I never wanted to be with you in the first place" "I have always hated you" " You are ugly" " You are fat" All of these things are generic hurtful things. Here is where it gets even worse. Maybe you are in a relationship and the person you are in love with finds the "weak spot" in you. They find exactly what to say in those moments to hurt you and cause unreal pain. As a child I gained a fear of abandonment, so this is the best way for someone I love to hurt me. To threaten to leave or to threaten to end the relationship. That threat has been used on me in almost every Love relationship that I have been in. It was used so much by one particular person that I took that power away. (More on this later). Truly we have all been on the other side of this when we used the right words to stir up wrath, pain, and blackness. I know I have. I knew the weak spot for my mate. I used it too. We are all guilty. Somehow we all have to learn to fight fair. Learn to calm down before we say words that can last a lifetime, and or destroy any potential hope for the relationship in the future. The Bible talks about the "tongue" alot. It talks about anger, and even states that it is OK to be angry. It truly is OK to be angry. It is how we deal with that anger that matters the most. It is how we choose to say things that matters.
James 1:26-27
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. NIV
James 3:5-12
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. NIV
That just about says it all. The book of James is amazing. Truly we are to keep a tight wrap on the words we use. We are to be thoughtful even in times of anger. I know when I am angry I just want to speak my mind. I am learning to control this. Now that I have controlled it I see the results. It is a powerful. So when we’re in a fight its like being in a war, and even in war there are rules of engagement. It should be the same in arguments. There ought be some things that are just off limits. In a marriage the "Divorce" word ought not be brought up in the heat of the moment. That word should be used only after careful consideration of all options at hand, and in my opinion it ought be a last resort in most cases.
I have seen enough, heard enough, been witness to enough abuse both physical and verbal to last a life time. I have seen the tongue cause people to flee, and run from churches, jobs, and relationships. The tongue is a powerful thing with lasting effects. I see the tongues wag in churches. I hear church members gossip, and the sad part is the gossip ruins the gossipers ability to minister to people. I just heard someone tell me last night "after hearing what was said I would never want to go to church again". It is disturbing and sad. I hear the words of anger, gossip, self righteousness, and judgement. God is the ultimate judge. God is the ultimate orator. This also ties into my blog on elitism. Those that don't see their own sin, those that can only see the sin in others.. Sad very sad.
Tone and Tact
How we say things is as important as what we say. For example. I recently tried to explain to someone how their actions made me feel. She replied "I am sorry you feel that way" My response to that same situation with the roles reversed would have been " I am sorry that I made you feel that way. What is it I did that made you feel that way" This is called tact. "You verses I" "You" blames others. "I" takes responsibility for my own actions, rather than blaming. I listen to people talk in their marriages. I hear "tone" It is impossible to explain tone in a text format because you can not hear it. It truly is the tone of voice that we use, the context of what we say. I could correct someone and use an angry tone or I could use the same words in a loving and caring way and get a better result. We have to be careful not to talk down to others or to demean people with the tone of our voice.
Interesting Facts The average woman uses 20,000 words in a day. In the same day a Man uses about 7,000 words. Do you get that ? A lady uses on average about three times as many words in one day as a man.
For example you might ask a lady "what did you have for lunch?" Her response might be..
" Well funny thing is I was suppose to have lunch at 1pm with Jenny, but instead sasha took the one a clock lunch and I had to wait until two, so I ended up having lunch with Betty because she always has the two oclock lunch. She always eats at Popeye's for lunch but today its Thursday so I told her about the lunch special over at Quiznos. You know they have those great $5 footlongs on Thursdays. You should try one honey. You probably wouldn't like the mayonnaise though they always put to much on it. So anyway Betty and I went to quiznos and there was this long line, I was kind of surprised because it was after two o'clock by the time we got there, and that's not really lunch time. We both ordered foot long sandwiches and I had the french dip style. I love their Au jus at Quiznos. So Betty sat there and told me her whole life's story. Did you know she has been married three times?" ...... and it goes on from there..
So you ask a guy the same question. 'What did you have for lunch" He would probably say
"I had a french dip at Quiznos" Get the picture?
When it comes to words men and women are very different. Not better or worse than the other just different. None the less it is important to listen. It is important as a man to listen to your spouses "lunch story" no matter how little it makes sense to you. She values your time and your ears. We have been given two ears and one mouth for a reason. Maybe we ought listen more than we talk? Listen and carefully contemplate what you are going to say. Chances are the less you talk the more people will listen.
Lastly... I mentioned earlier that I took the power away that someone had over me.... You might wonder how I did that. It is simple. I used to be afraid of separation, or a failed relationship. I still am at some level, however I now realize that my true happiness and hope is in the Lord. When our true self worth is tied to a healthy relationship with God it takes away some of the power that others use to hurt us. It allows us to realize that all people will fail us, and yet our hope is in a star breathing, omnipotent God.
Put your faith, your hope in Him. Let God fill that God shaped hole in your heart and you will have an inner peace...
And very last. Do not let the sun set on an angry heart, as this will give the devil a foothold.. That's what the bible says. We have to resolve anger before the day is over. If not the anger turns into resentment, and as I have said before the resenter is the one that suffers the most not the resentee... God is good, patient and faithful to finish his work in you. Can we be patient enough to take the time to think before we speak, to consider the life long implications of what we say? I say we can as long as we are in the Spirit and look to God to help us in every situation...
Hugs, Love, and Peace
in Him,
sMitty
Ironing Blah Blah Blog #8
Ironing .. Blah Written August 11th 2008
Current mood: enlightened
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Ironing.. Blah…
I come home after work. I do my own ironing these days after years of my ironing being done for me... Its funny how I get up at 6ish get home at 6ish and then spend the next bit of time getting ready for my next day at work..
I grabbed the blue shirt, the light colored pants.. Tomorrow is Tuesday and like children in aschool whom call each other the day before, we all wear the same colored shirts on the same days at work. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the light blue shirt days, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are the pin striped shirt days. Saturdays are Navy blue if you have the miss-fortune of having to work one.
The light blue shirt is the worst. It is some fabric that resists smoothness, it just likes to be wrinkled. Unfortunately the wrinkles don't show wisdom, they show imperfection in my shirt. Wrinkled shirts are not a part of the dress code.... I am not good at ironing or so I thought... It amazes me what a little time and practice does. I grab the shirt and throw it over the ironing board.. It is tempting me to frustration. I know better now. I just calmly quietly and effortlessly begin to smooth it out. First by hand laying it in such a way to ready it for that all important crease on the sleeve. I always desire it. The smooth crisp look of well kept clothing. I used to take things to the cleaners and let them do that, now I am becoming a miser with my fundage and just won't do it... I gotta save money... I grab the iron and begin a slow glide across the shirt. It lays out before me like the plains of Africa, flat. The crease comes easy. I begin to realize that I might be good at this after all... But not yet I have to see if I can complete the whole shirt first.... I lay it over to the other side and press the second sleeve, again, the plains of Africa... I move on to the back sides and collar, and hang it on a hanger.. I am proud of my work.. It looks great, almost as good as she used to do.
It is neat how God irons out the wrinkles in our lives.. I reflected... Like the Iron sometimes it takes heat and an ever present pressure. The heat burns, and the more rigid the fabric the higher the heat. The more stubborn wrinkles even require starch. Heat, burning. I have been there. It hurt so much it burned. It burned me on the inside, but God is good. He is just yet good. Half part Justice half part Grace/Mercy. His justice burned.. His Grace and mercy healed me. Now I can look back and reflect on that person I was and I see the wrinkles more clearly. Wrinkles as if I had slept in the shirt... There were many, and there still are wrinkles. But by the heat and the Mercy of God I am being smoothed out.. Into a crisply cleaned and pressed human soul.. I Love You Jesus. Thank you.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Hmm theres a verse for thought
Much Love
In Him
sMitty
Current mood: enlightened
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Ironing.. Blah…
I come home after work. I do my own ironing these days after years of my ironing being done for me... Its funny how I get up at 6ish get home at 6ish and then spend the next bit of time getting ready for my next day at work..
I grabbed the blue shirt, the light colored pants.. Tomorrow is Tuesday and like children in aschool whom call each other the day before, we all wear the same colored shirts on the same days at work. Tuesdays and Thursdays are the light blue shirt days, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are the pin striped shirt days. Saturdays are Navy blue if you have the miss-fortune of having to work one.
The light blue shirt is the worst. It is some fabric that resists smoothness, it just likes to be wrinkled. Unfortunately the wrinkles don't show wisdom, they show imperfection in my shirt. Wrinkled shirts are not a part of the dress code.... I am not good at ironing or so I thought... It amazes me what a little time and practice does. I grab the shirt and throw it over the ironing board.. It is tempting me to frustration. I know better now. I just calmly quietly and effortlessly begin to smooth it out. First by hand laying it in such a way to ready it for that all important crease on the sleeve. I always desire it. The smooth crisp look of well kept clothing. I used to take things to the cleaners and let them do that, now I am becoming a miser with my fundage and just won't do it... I gotta save money... I grab the iron and begin a slow glide across the shirt. It lays out before me like the plains of Africa, flat. The crease comes easy. I begin to realize that I might be good at this after all... But not yet I have to see if I can complete the whole shirt first.... I lay it over to the other side and press the second sleeve, again, the plains of Africa... I move on to the back sides and collar, and hang it on a hanger.. I am proud of my work.. It looks great, almost as good as she used to do.
It is neat how God irons out the wrinkles in our lives.. I reflected... Like the Iron sometimes it takes heat and an ever present pressure. The heat burns, and the more rigid the fabric the higher the heat. The more stubborn wrinkles even require starch. Heat, burning. I have been there. It hurt so much it burned. It burned me on the inside, but God is good. He is just yet good. Half part Justice half part Grace/Mercy. His justice burned.. His Grace and mercy healed me. Now I can look back and reflect on that person I was and I see the wrinkles more clearly. Wrinkles as if I had slept in the shirt... There were many, and there still are wrinkles. But by the heat and the Mercy of God I am being smoothed out.. Into a crisply cleaned and pressed human soul.. I Love You Jesus. Thank you.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Hmm theres a verse for thought
Much Love
In Him
sMitty
Storms Blog #7
Storms August 10th 2008
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Storms another Sunday :) ( My Notes and thoughts on today's sermon by Pastor Steve Mansour http://www.creeksidemac.com/ )
Again another much anticipated Sunday with Church, Worship, Friends, family, Basketball, and now the Olympics too. The sweetness of Sundays Carries me alot lately (thank you Creekside family). I wish I could fall asleep Sunday night and not wake up until the next Sunday. I am truly blessed to be planted into a Church family that exemplifies the Love and Grace that I need.
Storms and Jonah. Today at Church we took a look at the book of Jonah. Many of us have heard of the Story of Jonah and The Whale. And how he was swallowed by a Whale only to be spit up on shore by the Grace of God. What I did not understand was the Storm. You see Jonah was called by God. He was called to travel to a far away place. He was called God. He refused his calling. He instead ran away.
Jonah 1:1-2
1 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are."
Jonah was called to travel to the city of Neneveh, which is in present day Iraq. He was called to serve. He was called to go and minister to the people of a lost city. Jonah was a Old Testament professional prophet and at the time that he was called to go to Nineveh he was in Israel. He understood that he was called but instead made a periless choice. He chose to run.
Jonah 1:3 3
But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish.
He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. Instead of heeding the calling God had for Jonah he ran. He not only ran but he went in the complete opposite direction to Joppa which is present day Spain. He Ran. He thought he could hide from the Lord. He was terribly wrong. God is infinite he is everywhere.
Jonah 1:4 4
But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. 5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.
So Jonah is on the ship headed to Spain, on a vacation of sorts instead of doing the works that God had called him to do. He heads down to the Cargo hold and goes to sleep. God Hurled a great wind over the sea. God brought a storm into Jonahs life, a real storm. The seas were about to break the ship apart and the others in the boat began praying to their Gods. They eventually cast lots to determine whom is responsible for this storm. Jonah flat tells them he is responsible.
Jonah 1:7-12 7
Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. 8 "Why has this awful storm come down on us?" they demanded. "Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?" 9 Jonah answered, "I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land." 10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. "Oh, why did you do it?" they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, "What should we do to you to stop this storm?" 12 "Throw me into the sea," Jonah said, "and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault."
Jonah recognizes that the storm that is upon them is a result of his running from God. He immediately declares I am a Hebrew, and I worship the God of heaven who made the sea and the land. See Jonah knew all the words. Jonah knew whom God was. Jonah knew what was right and what was wrong. Instead he had chosen to run and bring possible peril on all those around him.
Jonah is an example to me, an example of what happens when we know what is right but decide to do whats wrong anyway. It goes clear back to the very beginning when Adam & Eve sinned. They immediately ran to hide. They felt naked and ashamed. Jonah feels ashamed enough to say Just throw me overboard. He was ready to die for his wrongs.
Jonah 1:13-17
13 Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn't make it. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah's God. "O Lord," they pleaded, "don't make us die for this man's sin. And don't hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons." 15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the Lord's great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. 17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.
So now these sailors began to row even harder in an attempt to get the ship to land and to avoid throwing Jonah over (Gods Mercy). They even begin to call out to Jonahs Lord, the true God. They had earlier been crying out to their Gods. Now they see that the God of Jonah is the Heavenly God in control of all the land the sea and the world. They cry out. The sailors eventually realize that there is no other choice but to throw Jonah over. They do so as a sacrifice to God and Vow to serve the true God. (notice how the Storm is used to affect everyone in the storm not just the person whom was responsible for the storm even bringing the sailors in the boat to God). They were in awe of Gods awesome power. They saw what God could do. Our God is a Just God. He is inescapable. He is infinite. So then God sends a Big fish to swallow Jonah up. As the story goes this nightmare turns into a blessing and later the fish spits Jonah up on shore delivering him to safety.
Storms. We all face storms in life. I faced a huge storm in my life recently and I realize now that I had been spending my life running from Gods calling. I had been running from whats right. I knew what was right & what was wrong. I attended church and walked the walk, only to keep certain parts of my life from him. Early on in my life I had the calling to be a Pastor. To be a leader and to go to school to be a pastor. At one time I was on that path I even made it to Bible school at Northwest College in Kirkland Washington. I later veered from the path. I went astray. I went through storm after storm in my life. God hurled great winds at me over and over and at times I surrendered but again never completely. I left some things for myself.
Now in recent months I faced the storm of all storms in my life the type that makes you cry out to God for mercy. Today I am thankful for this storm as I finally began my surrender. A Surrender that has to happen over and over. Life is just too much in general not to surrender it to God. He is faithful and like he did for Jonah he delivered me to a freedom and peace that I just can't even put into words. In the midst of the storm I cried and cried. I did not understand the why of the storm. I understand now that this storm I thought was a stumbling block was a detour to head me straight to my king.
I had spent the better time of my life running. Running from pain. Running from guilt and ultimately running from my God. He put the storm in my life to make me run straight back into him .. For that I am eternally grateful. I would have never known that it would take such a massive storm. A category five hurricane so to speak. I was stubborn and unaware, lost and not even knowing how far away I had run from God. The change in me now is apparent to everyone around me. So apparent that it takes only one look into my eyes and they see the light. I hear it all the time. I am transformed. Renewed in the mind body and spirit. Filled with the Holy Spirit to be exact.
Are you in the middle of a storm? Are the circumstances of your life out of control? Maybe it is possible that this storm you are in has been hurled at you from God. We can't run from God he will bring us a storm. He will bring us to our knees. It just happens that way. He loves us enough to bring us back to him. He wants us to serve no one above him. In my life I served Drugs and Music. Drugs were may slave master. I was a slave to them. They were my God. They consumed my time my money and my soul. They left me with guilt that I could never out run. I ran further and further trying to get away from guilt. I ran using more and more weed to hide my pain and guilt. Always to return to reality, a reality that progressively got worse and worse as I tried to ignore it. I ran into the arms of music. Using my gift for self edification, and for my own glory. God almost took my Music away. He gives us gifts to be used for Him and His Kingdom, if we do not use them for him well, he is God and most certainly can take them away. An injury, self inflicted left me almost unable to play. Today he has given it back, now I play for worship I play for peace.
What is it that you covet, what is it that eats up your mind, your spare time, and your money? What are these things?
Chances are the answers to those questions will reveal to you whom you serve. Be ready. be ready for God to take those things from you. He will. He wants all of you, mind body and spirit. He is a jealous God. For me weed, my significant other, and music were all things that I put before God. He brought me to my knees and now believe it or not I am free. I am free from addiction, free from the co dependency of an ill relationship. I stopped the weed and alcohol. By taking the first few steps towards God He free'd me from the desire to escape (drugs and alcohol). I have no desire for the comforts of this world. The comforts of this world are fleeting at best and only temporary.
I am blessed now. God wants us to live a life of freedom in Him. Freedom from bondage, guilt, fear, and hurt. He wants this for us so much. He wants this for you. Are you willing to take a look, are you willing to get on your knees now? Or are you going to wait for the category five hurricane in your life? I suggest not. The truth is no matter how fast or far you can run God is faster and He is everywhere. Eventually you will be caught. You will find yourself in a storm that is uniquely your own, with your own unique challenges, presented to you as an opportunity to choose grace, to choose Him, to choose surrender. Why not surrender it all now? He only wants your life to be victorious, full of peace and love. The blessings of an eternal peace that will never leave you. Eventually the drugs wear off, eventually he or she will fail you, eventually the TV won't comfort you, eventually the video games won't occupy your mind enough to escape, eventually you will be alone with God in the middle of the storm... The things of this world will all pass, settle now for something eternal, surrender everything in your life to God... Surrender all of it leave nothing unsurrendered. God Loves you, but he is a Just God he is a jealous God. Is your storm warning here now? There is peace in the eye of the storm, its there for the taking. It is a choice you can make today, right now.
I hope I haven't been to preachy here ..... I just can't even begin to tell you how much I wished I would have surrendered before the storm. It would have cost me less hurt and pain, If I had surrendered earlier in life the wreckage of my life would have been less....... The end result is the same whether you surrender now or wait for your storm... We end up with God.
I love you truly, this is out of love. I pray that God would make himself real to you, that He would show you the way to peace. I pray that you seek him before he sends the storm....
Much Love to you, By Grace
In Him,
sMitty
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Storms another Sunday :) ( My Notes and thoughts on today's sermon by Pastor Steve Mansour http://www.creeksidemac.com/ )
Again another much anticipated Sunday with Church, Worship, Friends, family, Basketball, and now the Olympics too. The sweetness of Sundays Carries me alot lately (thank you Creekside family). I wish I could fall asleep Sunday night and not wake up until the next Sunday. I am truly blessed to be planted into a Church family that exemplifies the Love and Grace that I need.
Storms and Jonah. Today at Church we took a look at the book of Jonah. Many of us have heard of the Story of Jonah and The Whale. And how he was swallowed by a Whale only to be spit up on shore by the Grace of God. What I did not understand was the Storm. You see Jonah was called by God. He was called to travel to a far away place. He was called God. He refused his calling. He instead ran away.
Jonah 1:1-2
1 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are."
Jonah was called to travel to the city of Neneveh, which is in present day Iraq. He was called to serve. He was called to go and minister to the people of a lost city. Jonah was a Old Testament professional prophet and at the time that he was called to go to Nineveh he was in Israel. He understood that he was called but instead made a periless choice. He chose to run.
Jonah 1:3 3
But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish.
He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. Instead of heeding the calling God had for Jonah he ran. He not only ran but he went in the complete opposite direction to Joppa which is present day Spain. He Ran. He thought he could hide from the Lord. He was terribly wrong. God is infinite he is everywhere.
Jonah 1:4 4
But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. 5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship.
So Jonah is on the ship headed to Spain, on a vacation of sorts instead of doing the works that God had called him to do. He heads down to the Cargo hold and goes to sleep. God Hurled a great wind over the sea. God brought a storm into Jonahs life, a real storm. The seas were about to break the ship apart and the others in the boat began praying to their Gods. They eventually cast lots to determine whom is responsible for this storm. Jonah flat tells them he is responsible.
Jonah 1:7-12 7
Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. 8 "Why has this awful storm come down on us?" they demanded. "Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?" 9 Jonah answered, "I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land." 10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. "Oh, why did you do it?" they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, "What should we do to you to stop this storm?" 12 "Throw me into the sea," Jonah said, "and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault."
Jonah recognizes that the storm that is upon them is a result of his running from God. He immediately declares I am a Hebrew, and I worship the God of heaven who made the sea and the land. See Jonah knew all the words. Jonah knew whom God was. Jonah knew what was right and what was wrong. Instead he had chosen to run and bring possible peril on all those around him.
Jonah is an example to me, an example of what happens when we know what is right but decide to do whats wrong anyway. It goes clear back to the very beginning when Adam & Eve sinned. They immediately ran to hide. They felt naked and ashamed. Jonah feels ashamed enough to say Just throw me overboard. He was ready to die for his wrongs.
Jonah 1:13-17
13 Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn't make it. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah's God. "O Lord," they pleaded, "don't make us die for this man's sin. And don't hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons." 15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the Lord's great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. 17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.
So now these sailors began to row even harder in an attempt to get the ship to land and to avoid throwing Jonah over (Gods Mercy). They even begin to call out to Jonahs Lord, the true God. They had earlier been crying out to their Gods. Now they see that the God of Jonah is the Heavenly God in control of all the land the sea and the world. They cry out. The sailors eventually realize that there is no other choice but to throw Jonah over. They do so as a sacrifice to God and Vow to serve the true God. (notice how the Storm is used to affect everyone in the storm not just the person whom was responsible for the storm even bringing the sailors in the boat to God). They were in awe of Gods awesome power. They saw what God could do. Our God is a Just God. He is inescapable. He is infinite. So then God sends a Big fish to swallow Jonah up. As the story goes this nightmare turns into a blessing and later the fish spits Jonah up on shore delivering him to safety.
Storms. We all face storms in life. I faced a huge storm in my life recently and I realize now that I had been spending my life running from Gods calling. I had been running from whats right. I knew what was right & what was wrong. I attended church and walked the walk, only to keep certain parts of my life from him. Early on in my life I had the calling to be a Pastor. To be a leader and to go to school to be a pastor. At one time I was on that path I even made it to Bible school at Northwest College in Kirkland Washington. I later veered from the path. I went astray. I went through storm after storm in my life. God hurled great winds at me over and over and at times I surrendered but again never completely. I left some things for myself.
Now in recent months I faced the storm of all storms in my life the type that makes you cry out to God for mercy. Today I am thankful for this storm as I finally began my surrender. A Surrender that has to happen over and over. Life is just too much in general not to surrender it to God. He is faithful and like he did for Jonah he delivered me to a freedom and peace that I just can't even put into words. In the midst of the storm I cried and cried. I did not understand the why of the storm. I understand now that this storm I thought was a stumbling block was a detour to head me straight to my king.
I had spent the better time of my life running. Running from pain. Running from guilt and ultimately running from my God. He put the storm in my life to make me run straight back into him .. For that I am eternally grateful. I would have never known that it would take such a massive storm. A category five hurricane so to speak. I was stubborn and unaware, lost and not even knowing how far away I had run from God. The change in me now is apparent to everyone around me. So apparent that it takes only one look into my eyes and they see the light. I hear it all the time. I am transformed. Renewed in the mind body and spirit. Filled with the Holy Spirit to be exact.
Are you in the middle of a storm? Are the circumstances of your life out of control? Maybe it is possible that this storm you are in has been hurled at you from God. We can't run from God he will bring us a storm. He will bring us to our knees. It just happens that way. He loves us enough to bring us back to him. He wants us to serve no one above him. In my life I served Drugs and Music. Drugs were may slave master. I was a slave to them. They were my God. They consumed my time my money and my soul. They left me with guilt that I could never out run. I ran further and further trying to get away from guilt. I ran using more and more weed to hide my pain and guilt. Always to return to reality, a reality that progressively got worse and worse as I tried to ignore it. I ran into the arms of music. Using my gift for self edification, and for my own glory. God almost took my Music away. He gives us gifts to be used for Him and His Kingdom, if we do not use them for him well, he is God and most certainly can take them away. An injury, self inflicted left me almost unable to play. Today he has given it back, now I play for worship I play for peace.
What is it that you covet, what is it that eats up your mind, your spare time, and your money? What are these things?
Chances are the answers to those questions will reveal to you whom you serve. Be ready. be ready for God to take those things from you. He will. He wants all of you, mind body and spirit. He is a jealous God. For me weed, my significant other, and music were all things that I put before God. He brought me to my knees and now believe it or not I am free. I am free from addiction, free from the co dependency of an ill relationship. I stopped the weed and alcohol. By taking the first few steps towards God He free'd me from the desire to escape (drugs and alcohol). I have no desire for the comforts of this world. The comforts of this world are fleeting at best and only temporary.
I am blessed now. God wants us to live a life of freedom in Him. Freedom from bondage, guilt, fear, and hurt. He wants this for us so much. He wants this for you. Are you willing to take a look, are you willing to get on your knees now? Or are you going to wait for the category five hurricane in your life? I suggest not. The truth is no matter how fast or far you can run God is faster and He is everywhere. Eventually you will be caught. You will find yourself in a storm that is uniquely your own, with your own unique challenges, presented to you as an opportunity to choose grace, to choose Him, to choose surrender. Why not surrender it all now? He only wants your life to be victorious, full of peace and love. The blessings of an eternal peace that will never leave you. Eventually the drugs wear off, eventually he or she will fail you, eventually the TV won't comfort you, eventually the video games won't occupy your mind enough to escape, eventually you will be alone with God in the middle of the storm... The things of this world will all pass, settle now for something eternal, surrender everything in your life to God... Surrender all of it leave nothing unsurrendered. God Loves you, but he is a Just God he is a jealous God. Is your storm warning here now? There is peace in the eye of the storm, its there for the taking. It is a choice you can make today, right now.
I hope I haven't been to preachy here ..... I just can't even begin to tell you how much I wished I would have surrendered before the storm. It would have cost me less hurt and pain, If I had surrendered earlier in life the wreckage of my life would have been less....... The end result is the same whether you surrender now or wait for your storm... We end up with God.
I love you truly, this is out of love. I pray that God would make himself real to you, that He would show you the way to peace. I pray that you seek him before he sends the storm....
Much Love to you, By Grace
In Him,
sMitty
For What Its Worth Blog #6
For what its worth... Written August 4th 2008
Current mood: creative
Category: Life
For what its worth.... Sometimes even at my best I am weary. I face a difficult Job at work, and the worst circumstances in my life ever. Even the greatest Men/Woman face weariness. Today I was weary. My previous self would have spent the night loathing my situation. Instead in these moments I seek the company of like minded people. Tonight was such a night. I met up with a friend for coffee. And as with most of my recent acts of faith it paid dividends from the onset. I spend time at the coffee shop alot lately, one in particular. Tonight I went to a different coffee shop. My friend had a bad feeling about the one I normally hang out in. I was glad I went to this new place. Sometimes we need a change of venue. Just for the sake of freshness, and new perspective.
Smiles
I once read that smiling releases the same endorphins in your brain that true happiness does. I have used this at times, most times with little affect. Smiling through the darkest moments didn't bring happiness on. I realize that there is a flip side to the smile. ( more on that in a moment ). Though the later is true, the chemicals do really get released, the ones of happiness, they just don't reach the levels of true happiness. It is just not possible, at least for me to fake myself into some form of goofy happiness by smiling my way through it all. It is even awkward. I have a job where I have to paint a smile on my face and in essence be "on stage" all day long. By the end of the day my smile tank is almost empty. If not completely. I can no longer produce superficial smiles at the end of the day. The smiles have to come from real Joy.
As I walked into the Coffee shop tonight I was greeted warmly with a genuine smile. This is the flip side. Someone took the time to remember me and took an interest, in my uneventful boring existence. Without hesitation the smile that was so effortlessly given to me was effortlessly returned. It brightened my day. See its not just the smiler but the smilee as well. I received a smile and was blessed. It warmed my heart and thus produced joy. So whats the point? The point is that we can be thankful for each interaction and make it an opportunity to make someone else smile. To bring joy to someone Else's life. Try it. Smile at some one and see how they react. Smile from inside your heart with genuine interest and compassion. You won't regret it. Chances are that your smile will be well received and if it is not then go on your merry way smiling to someone else. The odds are in your favor when your smiling.
Love and Peace
In Him
sMitty
Love August 8th
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Today I feel Love...Today I am filled with Hope. Faith carries me onward.
What is Love?
Merrian Websters Definition---
Love Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lufu; akin to Old High German luba love, Old English lēof dear, Latin lubēre, libēre to please Date: before 12th ce
ntury
1 a (1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (2): attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3): affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests b: an assurance of love 2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion 3 a: the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration b (1): a beloved person : darling —often used as a term of endearment (2)British —used as an
informal term of address4 a: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1): the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2): brotherly concern for others b: a person's adoration of God5: a god or personification of love
The word Love is used in the Bible (NIV) 697 times
Love is a complicated word actually. We throw it about at the ends of conversations on the phone. "I love you honey bye". We use it to describe things. "I Love the Seattle Seahawks" or "I Love that shirt". We use the word Love in relationships. Sometimes one week after meeting someone, we are saying "I Love you". Truly Love can be used soley as an expression of speech. But the Love I am filled with is not some flighty version of Love it is entirely different, and often times the word Love is used in romantic relationships too lightly. I am learning there are some different forms of Love and that they all have their place in our lives.
The 3 Types of Love—
1) Eros love -
known as "erotic love". It is based on strong feelings toward another. It usually occurs in the first stages of a "romantic" relationship.
This type of Love is found in the early stages of a romantic relationship. It is a love that says "it feels good to me to love you". I have fallen in love with somone and so she looks so amazing... This type of love is one that is, at some level, self centered. It is about the way I feel when I am with you. It is just to early in the relationship for it to be real Love. (more on real Love later)
2) Philos love -
a love based on friendship between two people.
This type of Love gets closer to the real deal. It is based on friendship. It is a common Love and a Love that I have for many many people. "I Love John" Alan is my best friend, I could say for sure that I Love Alan. I simply would do things for friends. I would stand in the gap for them, I would help them move from home to home. I would rescue them in their time of need. I pray for them. This is a good Love. We all have friends that we Love, and that Love us. Romantic relationships that start with this type of Love tend to be more successful, and lasting. I heard it said that if you want to be happily married even in your old age find someone you can have good conversations with. Their conversation skills will be of great benefit after all the children are gone, and your to old and grey to do much else. Friendship Love is a good foundation for true Love.
3) Agape -
unconditional love.
Agape Love is true Love in my humble opinion. It is perfect Love. Since it is perfect Love, we in our human condition can only experience this Love at an imperfect Level. The "Self" will get in the way at times, but Agape Love is a Love that we can all strive for in our relationships. Who doesn't want to be loved unconditionaly. "I Love you no matter what". We say things like that and yeah we mean them, but truly we are imperfect and later "fall out of Love"
Agape Love is selfless. It is doing things, loving people, without expecting anything in return. It is the Love that we have for our parents. It is the Love our God has for us. It is "True Love". It is the Love that God had when he sent his son to die a painful aweful death for everyone of us. It is a beautiful Love.
It says in the Bible that a Man should Love his wife as Christ did the church. This is Agape Love. It means to die to ones self over and over. It is setting aside A mans own needs, wants desires, for the sake of those of his Wifes.
It says in the Bible that a Woman is to submit to her husband. This to me, means, respect your husband, because he is suppose to be loving you as Christ did the Church. Christ died for the Church and all of mankind. Submission at some level means Respect. Respect feels like Love to a man. Being a Man I can't emphasize that enough. Respect feels like Love to a Man. A man is put in a position of leadership in his home. A leader in many ways, but most importantly a Spiritual leader. It is His job to lead by example with His own Walk. He is to be the one blazing the trail ahead for his family straight to Jesus. If a man loves his wife as Christ does the Church, the Respect he needs will come easily from his spouse.
As Men and Woman we are created differently with different inherant skills and abilities, made to compliment one another in a healthy relationship, with God as the center and foundation. A couple whom reads the Bible and Prays together is more likely to stay together until death do them part. It is critical for me and for any Christian couple to lay the foundations of your relationship on God. He is the Solid Rock on which we can build our relationships. Without his blessings a relationship is doomed to fail and or be miserable.
That all being said, I can attest to the fact that I have failed miserably in relationships before. I have not loved as I was called to Love. I now see things with a clearer perspective, by the Grace of God. I understand my role, I understand that I am to be selfless. For me it was and will always be a challenge to set aside myself. No matter how self less I get I will need to be even more selfless. I am selfish by nature as are most all of us.
I Love. I Love so therefore I live. I live for others, and for God. I want to share the peace that comes from knowing God and walking his path. I love you. I love people. I am changed. I am blessed by the trials in my life as they have not beens stumbling blocks, but challenges that build my charachter. God does not put obstacles in our paths to trip us up and laff as we fall on our faces, they are there to mold us, make us, challenge us, to build charachter, and transform us more and more into what God wants. He wants to use us. He has a plan for each of our lives, and if he has to bring us to our knees in order to get us on the right track he most certainly will. As it was with me. Broken and on my knees. It is all out of True Love for each of us. Count your trials a blessing. They will change you when you "seek ye first the kingdom of God" ...
I Love. I Love. We should all Love, more.
I have a favorite chapter in the bible. I used to quote it alot but I hadn't considered it with my new mind. Feel free to read it as I will post it below. In closing-- Know this, You are Loved, You have the capacity to Love others, and to Love others from a well spring that is unlimited you must be first filled with Gods Love. He fills us up so that our cup over flows, it flows out of us like light from a glorious sunset to the people all around us. You then can Love others abundantly, without running dry.
1 Corinthians 13
1IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such [a]as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2And if I have prophetic powers ([b]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or [c] in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.
4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy ([d]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].
9For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).
10But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.
12For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as [e]in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand [f]fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been [g]fully and clearly known and understood [[h]by God].
13And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Faith hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love.
God Loves you, Are you loving those that have been put in your sphere of influence? Love everyone and forgive everyone of everything everyday..
Love, By Grace, In Him
Yours truly
SMitty
Current mood: creative
Category: Life
For what its worth.... Sometimes even at my best I am weary. I face a difficult Job at work, and the worst circumstances in my life ever. Even the greatest Men/Woman face weariness. Today I was weary. My previous self would have spent the night loathing my situation. Instead in these moments I seek the company of like minded people. Tonight was such a night. I met up with a friend for coffee. And as with most of my recent acts of faith it paid dividends from the onset. I spend time at the coffee shop alot lately, one in particular. Tonight I went to a different coffee shop. My friend had a bad feeling about the one I normally hang out in. I was glad I went to this new place. Sometimes we need a change of venue. Just for the sake of freshness, and new perspective.
Smiles
I once read that smiling releases the same endorphins in your brain that true happiness does. I have used this at times, most times with little affect. Smiling through the darkest moments didn't bring happiness on. I realize that there is a flip side to the smile. ( more on that in a moment ). Though the later is true, the chemicals do really get released, the ones of happiness, they just don't reach the levels of true happiness. It is just not possible, at least for me to fake myself into some form of goofy happiness by smiling my way through it all. It is even awkward. I have a job where I have to paint a smile on my face and in essence be "on stage" all day long. By the end of the day my smile tank is almost empty. If not completely. I can no longer produce superficial smiles at the end of the day. The smiles have to come from real Joy.
As I walked into the Coffee shop tonight I was greeted warmly with a genuine smile. This is the flip side. Someone took the time to remember me and took an interest, in my uneventful boring existence. Without hesitation the smile that was so effortlessly given to me was effortlessly returned. It brightened my day. See its not just the smiler but the smilee as well. I received a smile and was blessed. It warmed my heart and thus produced joy. So whats the point? The point is that we can be thankful for each interaction and make it an opportunity to make someone else smile. To bring joy to someone Else's life. Try it. Smile at some one and see how they react. Smile from inside your heart with genuine interest and compassion. You won't regret it. Chances are that your smile will be well received and if it is not then go on your merry way smiling to someone else. The odds are in your favor when your smiling.
Love and Peace
In Him
sMitty
Love August 8th
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Today I feel Love...Today I am filled with Hope. Faith carries me onward.
What is Love?
Merrian Websters Definition---
Love Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lufu; akin to Old High German luba love, Old English lēof dear, Latin lubēre, libēre to please Date: before 12th ce
ntury
1 a (1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (2): attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3): affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests b: an assurance of love 2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion 3 a: the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration b (1): a beloved person : darling —often used as a term of endearment (2)British —used as an
informal term of address4 a: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1): the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2): brotherly concern for others b: a person's adoration of God5: a god or personification of love
The word Love is used in the Bible (NIV) 697 times
Love is a complicated word actually. We throw it about at the ends of conversations on the phone. "I love you honey bye". We use it to describe things. "I Love the Seattle Seahawks" or "I Love that shirt". We use the word Love in relationships. Sometimes one week after meeting someone, we are saying "I Love you". Truly Love can be used soley as an expression of speech. But the Love I am filled with is not some flighty version of Love it is entirely different, and often times the word Love is used in romantic relationships too lightly. I am learning there are some different forms of Love and that they all have their place in our lives.
The 3 Types of Love—
1) Eros love -
known as "erotic love". It is based on strong feelings toward another. It usually occurs in the first stages of a "romantic" relationship.
This type of Love is found in the early stages of a romantic relationship. It is a love that says "it feels good to me to love you". I have fallen in love with somone and so she looks so amazing... This type of love is one that is, at some level, self centered. It is about the way I feel when I am with you. It is just to early in the relationship for it to be real Love. (more on real Love later)
2) Philos love -
a love based on friendship between two people.
This type of Love gets closer to the real deal. It is based on friendship. It is a common Love and a Love that I have for many many people. "I Love John" Alan is my best friend, I could say for sure that I Love Alan. I simply would do things for friends. I would stand in the gap for them, I would help them move from home to home. I would rescue them in their time of need. I pray for them. This is a good Love. We all have friends that we Love, and that Love us. Romantic relationships that start with this type of Love tend to be more successful, and lasting. I heard it said that if you want to be happily married even in your old age find someone you can have good conversations with. Their conversation skills will be of great benefit after all the children are gone, and your to old and grey to do much else. Friendship Love is a good foundation for true Love.
3) Agape -
unconditional love.
Agape Love is true Love in my humble opinion. It is perfect Love. Since it is perfect Love, we in our human condition can only experience this Love at an imperfect Level. The "Self" will get in the way at times, but Agape Love is a Love that we can all strive for in our relationships. Who doesn't want to be loved unconditionaly. "I Love you no matter what". We say things like that and yeah we mean them, but truly we are imperfect and later "fall out of Love"
Agape Love is selfless. It is doing things, loving people, without expecting anything in return. It is the Love that we have for our parents. It is the Love our God has for us. It is "True Love". It is the Love that God had when he sent his son to die a painful aweful death for everyone of us. It is a beautiful Love.
It says in the Bible that a Man should Love his wife as Christ did the church. This is Agape Love. It means to die to ones self over and over. It is setting aside A mans own needs, wants desires, for the sake of those of his Wifes.
It says in the Bible that a Woman is to submit to her husband. This to me, means, respect your husband, because he is suppose to be loving you as Christ did the Church. Christ died for the Church and all of mankind. Submission at some level means Respect. Respect feels like Love to a man. Being a Man I can't emphasize that enough. Respect feels like Love to a Man. A man is put in a position of leadership in his home. A leader in many ways, but most importantly a Spiritual leader. It is His job to lead by example with His own Walk. He is to be the one blazing the trail ahead for his family straight to Jesus. If a man loves his wife as Christ does the Church, the Respect he needs will come easily from his spouse.
As Men and Woman we are created differently with different inherant skills and abilities, made to compliment one another in a healthy relationship, with God as the center and foundation. A couple whom reads the Bible and Prays together is more likely to stay together until death do them part. It is critical for me and for any Christian couple to lay the foundations of your relationship on God. He is the Solid Rock on which we can build our relationships. Without his blessings a relationship is doomed to fail and or be miserable.
That all being said, I can attest to the fact that I have failed miserably in relationships before. I have not loved as I was called to Love. I now see things with a clearer perspective, by the Grace of God. I understand my role, I understand that I am to be selfless. For me it was and will always be a challenge to set aside myself. No matter how self less I get I will need to be even more selfless. I am selfish by nature as are most all of us.
I Love. I Love so therefore I live. I live for others, and for God. I want to share the peace that comes from knowing God and walking his path. I love you. I love people. I am changed. I am blessed by the trials in my life as they have not beens stumbling blocks, but challenges that build my charachter. God does not put obstacles in our paths to trip us up and laff as we fall on our faces, they are there to mold us, make us, challenge us, to build charachter, and transform us more and more into what God wants. He wants to use us. He has a plan for each of our lives, and if he has to bring us to our knees in order to get us on the right track he most certainly will. As it was with me. Broken and on my knees. It is all out of True Love for each of us. Count your trials a blessing. They will change you when you "seek ye first the kingdom of God" ...
I Love. I Love. We should all Love, more.
I have a favorite chapter in the bible. I used to quote it alot but I hadn't considered it with my new mind. Feel free to read it as I will post it below. In closing-- Know this, You are Loved, You have the capacity to Love others, and to Love others from a well spring that is unlimited you must be first filled with Gods Love. He fills us up so that our cup over flows, it flows out of us like light from a glorious sunset to the people all around us. You then can Love others abundantly, without running dry.
1 Corinthians 13
1IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such [a]as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2And if I have prophetic powers ([b]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or [c] in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.
4Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy ([d]the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].
9For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).
10But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.
12For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as [e]in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand [f]fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been [g]fully and clearly known and understood [[h]by God].
13And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Faith hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love.
God Loves you, Are you loving those that have been put in your sphere of influence? Love everyone and forgive everyone of everything everyday..
Love, By Grace, In Him
Yours truly
SMitty
Wisdom Elitism and Hypocrisy Blog #5
Written Monday, July 28, 2008
Hypocrisy, Wisdom, & Elitism
Category: Life
Hypocrisy, Wisdom & Elitism
I have had some moments to reflect on some of the above words (actually a lot of time to reflect on all kinds of things). These words are used sometimes in jest or passing and have powerful meaning. I recently heard a teaching that dealt with some of these exact issues. I have also formed some strong Opinions about these things..
Hypocrisy Definition (Merriam Websters)
Main Entry:
hy•poc•ri•sy
Pronunciation:
..hi-ˈpä-krə-sē also hī-..
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural hy•poc•ri•sies
Etymology: Middle English ypocrisie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrisis, from Greek hypokrisis act of playing a part on the stage, hypocrisy, from hypokrinesthai to answer, act on the stage, from hypo- + krinein to decide — more at certain
Date: 13th century
1: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion
Statistics say that 89% of non-Christians believe that Christians are Judgemental. The same studies show that non-Christan's also believe that 85% of Christians are hypocrites. (sorry to repeat myself as I have mentioned this in other blogs). Let me elaborate for a moment. The Bible says "judge not lest we be judged" "Let he who has no sin cast the first stone". Lest I should forget that I to am a sinner in need of Grace. I have made terrible mistakes in my life. I will never achieve the perfection that I desire. I desire to be like Jesus. To be more like Jesus, to me, is to Love people more. To love people and hate sin. To show the Grace that has been extended to me. To hate sin not just because it is sin but because of the damage, hurt, pain and misery sin causes in our lives. Sins of all kinds abound in our modern world. We could go on and on about what might deemed a sin and what might not be a sin. That is not my place to say. We have been given an owners manual for life that is inspired, and God breathed. The Bible. The Bible directs us where, what, when and how to live. Only God can be the Judge of ones life and the lives of those around us. I am to Love people and hate the sin. A Christian in my humble opinion, should glow with the Holy Spirit and Love, so much so that the non believer would see the light in the believer and want what the believer has. I am to live by example. I am to Love as Christ did with Grace.
It is easy for a person to get into a walk with God and to begin to see Sin in a different light. It is much easier to point out the sin of others than it is to recognize our own sin. I have been involved in churches all my life. I know what it is like to feel looked down upon, to feel as though you are being judged. I understand it at a deep level. I also know what it feels like to be convicted by the spirit of my own sin. Often times I had mistaken these things. I have felt the judgement of others only to realize later on that it was not their self righteousness but the spirit in me, convicting me of where I was wrong. It is imperative for the believer to walk in the spirit in order to be guided in such a way as to recognize these differences. I am an idealist by nature. It is part of who I am. Being an idealist comes with its benefits and its downfalls. The benefit is that when I am in my walk I am almost always in the spirit. The downside is that I can never live up to be the ideal Christian. None of us can be the "Ideal" Christian or we would not need Grace and there would be millions of Jesus's walking the earth. It is impossible. As a member of the body of Christ I have not nor will I allow myself to be that self righteous person. I despise it, for self righteousness is a sin, a sin I hate a lot. It casts a shadow over the church that prevents our light from shining out onto those whom are not saved.
Wisdom Definition (Merriam Websters)
Main Entry:
wis•dom
Pronunciation:
..ˈwiz-dəm..
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English, from Old English wīsdōm, from wīs wise
Date: before 12th century 1 a: accumulated philosophic or scientific learning : knowledge b: ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : insight c: good sense : judgment d: generally accepted belief Darnton>2: a wise attitude, belief, or course of action3: the teachings of the ancient wise men
It has been said that "Wisdom is meaningless" It might be said that Wisdom leads to elitism which is a form of self righteousness. I say that Wisdom applied equals Knowledge..
Knowledge is ----((1): the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association)
In other words, Wisdom applied is knowledge, and without knowledge wisdom is meaningless. Wisdom by itself is knowing whats right and wrong, knowledge is learning to apply the wisdom to ones own life (notice I said ones own life refer to above hypocrisy section). Knowledge is meaningless without the knowing Christ, and wisdom is meaningless without the knowledge of God. I believe that the things I have learned are wisdom, and if I do not apply these things in my own life, my Wisdom would be elitist or self righteousness. Instead my Wisdom is becoming my Knowledge. I know fully that the Wisdom of the Bible would suggest that we would all learn to be like Christ, yet knowledge also shows that we will all fail. Knowledge also shows me that in spite of my Sin Condition I must run the race. Wisdom would tell me what the ten commandments are, Knowledge would allow me to apply those commandments to my life. Again not to forget that the only perfect Human was Jesus. My need, Our need for Grace and a personal saviour does not diminish in any way as our/my wisdom/knowledge grows. I/We are not saved by Wisdom or Knowledge. We are saved by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
I learn more and more as I read the infallible Word of God. As a Christian the Holy Spirit came into my life and guides me when I am willing to listen. I have a personal choice. We are given a free will to decide. Sometimes it takes being completely broken as I am/was in order to make the right choice. Jesus is a mender of the broken. If you are broken maybe it is your turn. He brought me to my knees. My decisions in life brought me to complete brokeness. It is then that I surrendered all.. I pray for those that I love that they don't have to be broken to reach the right decisions, the right choice. The choice to surrender it all, everything, leaving nothing unturned or unseen. If you are broken know that He is your healer, ready to give you victory in Christ!
Much Love to you through Grace In Him
sMitty
Romans 8:28 (look it up if you have not read it or know it)
Hypocrisy, Wisdom, & Elitism
Category: Life
Hypocrisy, Wisdom & Elitism
I have had some moments to reflect on some of the above words (actually a lot of time to reflect on all kinds of things). These words are used sometimes in jest or passing and have powerful meaning. I recently heard a teaching that dealt with some of these exact issues. I have also formed some strong Opinions about these things..
Hypocrisy Definition (Merriam Websters)
Main Entry:
hy•poc•ri•sy
Pronunciation:
..hi-ˈpä-krə-sē also hī-..
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural hy•poc•ri•sies
Etymology: Middle English ypocrisie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrisis, from Greek hypokrisis act of playing a part on the stage, hypocrisy, from hypokrinesthai to answer, act on the stage, from hypo- + krinein to decide — more at certain
Date: 13th century
1: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion
Statistics say that 89% of non-Christians believe that Christians are Judgemental. The same studies show that non-Christan's also believe that 85% of Christians are hypocrites. (sorry to repeat myself as I have mentioned this in other blogs). Let me elaborate for a moment. The Bible says "judge not lest we be judged" "Let he who has no sin cast the first stone". Lest I should forget that I to am a sinner in need of Grace. I have made terrible mistakes in my life. I will never achieve the perfection that I desire. I desire to be like Jesus. To be more like Jesus, to me, is to Love people more. To love people and hate sin. To show the Grace that has been extended to me. To hate sin not just because it is sin but because of the damage, hurt, pain and misery sin causes in our lives. Sins of all kinds abound in our modern world. We could go on and on about what might deemed a sin and what might not be a sin. That is not my place to say. We have been given an owners manual for life that is inspired, and God breathed. The Bible. The Bible directs us where, what, when and how to live. Only God can be the Judge of ones life and the lives of those around us. I am to Love people and hate the sin. A Christian in my humble opinion, should glow with the Holy Spirit and Love, so much so that the non believer would see the light in the believer and want what the believer has. I am to live by example. I am to Love as Christ did with Grace.
It is easy for a person to get into a walk with God and to begin to see Sin in a different light. It is much easier to point out the sin of others than it is to recognize our own sin. I have been involved in churches all my life. I know what it is like to feel looked down upon, to feel as though you are being judged. I understand it at a deep level. I also know what it feels like to be convicted by the spirit of my own sin. Often times I had mistaken these things. I have felt the judgement of others only to realize later on that it was not their self righteousness but the spirit in me, convicting me of where I was wrong. It is imperative for the believer to walk in the spirit in order to be guided in such a way as to recognize these differences. I am an idealist by nature. It is part of who I am. Being an idealist comes with its benefits and its downfalls. The benefit is that when I am in my walk I am almost always in the spirit. The downside is that I can never live up to be the ideal Christian. None of us can be the "Ideal" Christian or we would not need Grace and there would be millions of Jesus's walking the earth. It is impossible. As a member of the body of Christ I have not nor will I allow myself to be that self righteous person. I despise it, for self righteousness is a sin, a sin I hate a lot. It casts a shadow over the church that prevents our light from shining out onto those whom are not saved.
Wisdom Definition (Merriam Websters)
Main Entry:
wis•dom
Pronunciation:
..ˈwiz-dəm..
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English, from Old English wīsdōm, from wīs wise
Date: before 12th century 1 a: accumulated philosophic or scientific learning : knowledge b: ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : insight c: good sense : judgment d: generally accepted belief Darnton>2: a wise attitude, belief, or course of action3: the teachings of the ancient wise men
It has been said that "Wisdom is meaningless" It might be said that Wisdom leads to elitism which is a form of self righteousness. I say that Wisdom applied equals Knowledge..
Knowledge is ----((1): the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association)
In other words, Wisdom applied is knowledge, and without knowledge wisdom is meaningless. Wisdom by itself is knowing whats right and wrong, knowledge is learning to apply the wisdom to ones own life (notice I said ones own life refer to above hypocrisy section). Knowledge is meaningless without the knowing Christ, and wisdom is meaningless without the knowledge of God. I believe that the things I have learned are wisdom, and if I do not apply these things in my own life, my Wisdom would be elitist or self righteousness. Instead my Wisdom is becoming my Knowledge. I know fully that the Wisdom of the Bible would suggest that we would all learn to be like Christ, yet knowledge also shows that we will all fail. Knowledge also shows me that in spite of my Sin Condition I must run the race. Wisdom would tell me what the ten commandments are, Knowledge would allow me to apply those commandments to my life. Again not to forget that the only perfect Human was Jesus. My need, Our need for Grace and a personal saviour does not diminish in any way as our/my wisdom/knowledge grows. I/We are not saved by Wisdom or Knowledge. We are saved by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
I learn more and more as I read the infallible Word of God. As a Christian the Holy Spirit came into my life and guides me when I am willing to listen. I have a personal choice. We are given a free will to decide. Sometimes it takes being completely broken as I am/was in order to make the right choice. Jesus is a mender of the broken. If you are broken maybe it is your turn. He brought me to my knees. My decisions in life brought me to complete brokeness. It is then that I surrendered all.. I pray for those that I love that they don't have to be broken to reach the right decisions, the right choice. The choice to surrender it all, everything, leaving nothing unturned or unseen. If you are broken know that He is your healer, ready to give you victory in Christ!
Much Love to you through Grace In Him
sMitty
Romans 8:28 (look it up if you have not read it or know it)
A Love Letter Blog #4
A love letter Written July 25th
Current mood: adored
Category: Religion and Philosophy
A miracle, A Love letter!!
I rolled out the door into a blind sunset. My broken heart in tow, somewhere far behind me. Keeping the pain at a distance. "I must run the race even though I have hit the wall, the loneliness burns, and the six hundred pound gorilla knocks at my door" I asked God "please make her call I beg you make the phone ring"
My mind drifts with the emotional tides. The things of this world can no longer comfort me. Correcting my thoughts is still a process at work. A Strayed mind might lead to the things of the flesh and past comforts. "no I will not those days are long gone, the spirit in me is stronger than my mind"
I pour myself onto the throne. "cure my loneliness bring me a friend The comforts of the past no longer comfort me." They satisfy nothing. " What to do what, who do I call?" "call Mark for coffee?" Maybe he has time?" No I don't want to bring this brokeness and heartache to someone else to carry the burden. Maybe there is some live music at the coffee shop. There that's it. There is the answer. The sweet smell of roasting coffee beans, combined with live tunes may just keep the loneliness at bay.
I pick up my heart, it ways a ton. I pull it into the coffee shop for a burst of caffeine. Ride the sound waves. I will surf them like the sea of forget-fullness to a place of comfort. I swing the door open and immediately the smells blossom into my nostrils. It is refreshing. Even just the smell of coffee is uplifting. As I turn the corner into the buzz and bustle of the shop I see before me the answer to my simple prayer. My simple plea.
"Mark your ears must have been ringing, I was gonna call you" "What are you doing here?" (he was there to get his stay at home wife out of the house for a moment or at least that is what he might have thought) "I think to myself WOW!! Thank you God, you called him for me!" "You Know my every need." Standing near Mark is his wife Joellen and his beautiful son Asher. A blessing to behold. A miracle, small to some, yet everything to me. I slip into the line to get my coffee. Mark and Joe already had theirs, they grabbed a table for us. We laugh and talk, share things, trivial things, important things, and Geico commercials. "everywhere I go there's always something there to remind me, of a different place time dood doot doot da doo.... How are you's and the what's going ons... A small portion of time.. Yet all that I needed. An answer to prayer. An answer so complete and revealing of an all knowing, powerful, and loving God.
Mark as you read this you have just learned you were my little miracle today. Your moments set aside for a broken man were exactly what God had set forth In his master plan for today. His plan for grace. A grace that is sufficient for today.
I am in Love with you God. You are my soul mate Jesus, in the absence of my counter part, you fill in the gaps. You have never left me not even for a moment. I thank you God.. Praise to you my King. I shall never leave you God. My heart, my soul, my mind, my body, are yours. Mold me and make me I pray. Do with me what you will. You are divine and infinite. I love you my Lord, forever I am yours...
sMitty
God is there. Right here with you. I share this as an example of His mercy and Grace. You too are not alone.
Current mood: adored
Category: Religion and Philosophy
A miracle, A Love letter!!
I rolled out the door into a blind sunset. My broken heart in tow, somewhere far behind me. Keeping the pain at a distance. "I must run the race even though I have hit the wall, the loneliness burns, and the six hundred pound gorilla knocks at my door" I asked God "please make her call I beg you make the phone ring"
My mind drifts with the emotional tides. The things of this world can no longer comfort me. Correcting my thoughts is still a process at work. A Strayed mind might lead to the things of the flesh and past comforts. "no I will not those days are long gone, the spirit in me is stronger than my mind"
I pour myself onto the throne. "cure my loneliness bring me a friend The comforts of the past no longer comfort me." They satisfy nothing. " What to do what, who do I call?" "call Mark for coffee?" Maybe he has time?" No I don't want to bring this brokeness and heartache to someone else to carry the burden. Maybe there is some live music at the coffee shop. There that's it. There is the answer. The sweet smell of roasting coffee beans, combined with live tunes may just keep the loneliness at bay.
I pick up my heart, it ways a ton. I pull it into the coffee shop for a burst of caffeine. Ride the sound waves. I will surf them like the sea of forget-fullness to a place of comfort. I swing the door open and immediately the smells blossom into my nostrils. It is refreshing. Even just the smell of coffee is uplifting. As I turn the corner into the buzz and bustle of the shop I see before me the answer to my simple prayer. My simple plea.
"Mark your ears must have been ringing, I was gonna call you" "What are you doing here?" (he was there to get his stay at home wife out of the house for a moment or at least that is what he might have thought) "I think to myself WOW!! Thank you God, you called him for me!" "You Know my every need." Standing near Mark is his wife Joellen and his beautiful son Asher. A blessing to behold. A miracle, small to some, yet everything to me. I slip into the line to get my coffee. Mark and Joe already had theirs, they grabbed a table for us. We laugh and talk, share things, trivial things, important things, and Geico commercials. "everywhere I go there's always something there to remind me, of a different place time dood doot doot da doo.... How are you's and the what's going ons... A small portion of time.. Yet all that I needed. An answer to prayer. An answer so complete and revealing of an all knowing, powerful, and loving God.
Mark as you read this you have just learned you were my little miracle today. Your moments set aside for a broken man were exactly what God had set forth In his master plan for today. His plan for grace. A grace that is sufficient for today.
I am in Love with you God. You are my soul mate Jesus, in the absence of my counter part, you fill in the gaps. You have never left me not even for a moment. I thank you God.. Praise to you my King. I shall never leave you God. My heart, my soul, my mind, my body, are yours. Mold me and make me I pray. Do with me what you will. You are divine and infinite. I love you my Lord, forever I am yours...
sMitty
God is there. Right here with you. I share this as an example of His mercy and Grace. You too are not alone.
When Will You Die? Run The Race Blog #3
Thursday, Written July 24, 2008 BLOG #3
When will you die? Run the Race Part 1
Current mood: rejuvenated
Category: Life
How many days until you die?
At church on Sunday Pastor Steve (www.creeksidemac.com) preached about time and time management from a Biblical perspective. So I am going to share some of my thoughts about what I learned.
Life is Short. I understand this profoundly. Life ought not be taken for granted, or wasted away on frivolous things, there just is not enough time to be wasting it away. In an article published by medicalnewstoday.com the average life expectancy for a person living in the USA is 77.6 years. That makes 28,091.2 days. This means that if I am lucky enough to live to the average age, I have about 14,697 days left. You can do the math for yourself to determine where you are at. As of 2006 populationeducation.org lists an average of 106.7 deaths per minute worldwide, with a total number of deaths per year worldwide at 56,595,880. That is over 56 million a year. It is appointed once to a man to live and once to die. Ashes to ashes dust to dust. We will all perish.
Death is in the news everyday. Very rarely is LIFE in the news. Good news is just not news. Children are dieing, people are dieing. Soldiers are dieing for our country this very day. One of my best friends Min, had a daughter, her name is Nadia. She was blossoming into a young woman. She was radiant, beautiful, and had taken to following Jesus. At the young age of 15 she walked to her bus stop on a cold and foggy day. As she crossed the dark street she was hit by an elderly driver and died. Nadia was at home only moments before. She was here then gone in an instant. I had another close friend. John Hinshaw. He was a gifted person. He had the gift of music, math, and many other talents. He came to such a point of depression that he hung himself over a girl. The girl moved on with her life. The girlfriend he had pays little attention to the fact that John died over her. It was a waste. He died to make a point and no one took the point. Now he sits behind a gravestone, and our lives have all moved on. My own sister had a daughter Marissa. My sister took Heroin with her boyfriend and went to sleep with Marissa in the bed with them, only to wake in the morning to find Marissa dead from suffocation as they had laid over her in their Heroin induced comatose state. Life is short, and even unfairly short. We have a choice in how we live our lives. We have to make those choices everyday. We have a choice to Live, and live a life that is full of purpose.
This life truly is but a very small blip on the radar of eternity. It means everything yet means nothing at all.
Psalm 90 (NIV)
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 39 (NIV)
4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
Life is fleeting at best. I spend the majority of my life at work. I count the minutes until my next break. I can, at any given time tell you how long it is until I get to go home, most times right down to the minute. I am obsessed with time. I am so concerned that I will not get enough time to do the things that I want to do. I need my time to relax, I need my time to make music, I need my time to do nothing and be nothing. I am obsessed with time. I segment my time almost to the last minute and in spite of that I waste it on the things that don't matter. I am learning that I ought spend my time on the things that God would have me do, thus not wasting it away. Even our work time can be devoted to our Heavenly creator, devoted to Jesus.
Ecclesiastes 2 (amplified Bible)
24There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make himself enjoy good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or who can have enjoyment any more than I can--[b]apart from Him ? 26 For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and heaping up, that he may give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it.
Luke 12:20(amplified Bible)
20But God said to him, You fool! This very night they [the messengers of God] will demand your soul of you; and all the things that you have prepared, whose will they be?
Will what I have prepared (worked for and spent my time on) be for God for eternal Glory, or will I have nothing to show for this life?
Many of us find ourselves in Jobs that we don't like. I know that I wish for more and better all the time. I have to take the time to be thankful for what I have. Even for my Job. I have found that the best way for me to deal with work is to realize that my true employer is not the company that I work for but God himself. "do all things as unto the Lord" the Bible says. I find that the Time spent at work can be dedicated to my Heavenly Father. Life is to short to be spending my time wasting it away on the negative thoughts about this earthly life. "Set your mind on things above". I pray for my customers. Silently I pray for them in my mind. I help them doing my best as unto the Lord.
"It is appointed once to a man to die" How many days do I have left? Am I wasting them away on the things of the World? What is it that I spend my discretionary time on? These are the things that I ask myself. Am I wasting it all away or living for the kingdom? We have been given enough of Gods Grace for today. The outcome of the race has already been determined. We, as Christians will win, yet we must run the race, fight the good fight, and stay on the path. This earthly life may just be a practice, or test for our heavenly eternity. God let me make use of my every moment for your Glory. This moment is the only moment I have.
Again here are some resources for you, resources that I use all the time.
www.calvarychapel.com for a church near you and you will find TONS of sermons by many great pastors.
http://www.pastorronsmith.org/ for sermons from my Dad (yeah I am a Pastors Kid). Available as Podcast as well.
http://www.biblegateway.com/ for bible reading, verse of the day, or even stream (listen to) the Audio Bible. I love this site.
http://www.creeksidemac.com/ my other current pastor is from this church. You will find his sermons under the Resources tab.
.
Hugs, Love, and Peace-- By Grace In Him---
sMitty ----- Solution7
When will you die? Run the Race Part 1
Current mood: rejuvenated
Category: Life
How many days until you die?
At church on Sunday Pastor Steve (www.creeksidemac.com) preached about time and time management from a Biblical perspective. So I am going to share some of my thoughts about what I learned.
Life is Short. I understand this profoundly. Life ought not be taken for granted, or wasted away on frivolous things, there just is not enough time to be wasting it away. In an article published by medicalnewstoday.com the average life expectancy for a person living in the USA is 77.6 years. That makes 28,091.2 days. This means that if I am lucky enough to live to the average age, I have about 14,697 days left. You can do the math for yourself to determine where you are at. As of 2006 populationeducation.org lists an average of 106.7 deaths per minute worldwide, with a total number of deaths per year worldwide at 56,595,880. That is over 56 million a year. It is appointed once to a man to live and once to die. Ashes to ashes dust to dust. We will all perish.
Death is in the news everyday. Very rarely is LIFE in the news. Good news is just not news. Children are dieing, people are dieing. Soldiers are dieing for our country this very day. One of my best friends Min, had a daughter, her name is Nadia. She was blossoming into a young woman. She was radiant, beautiful, and had taken to following Jesus. At the young age of 15 she walked to her bus stop on a cold and foggy day. As she crossed the dark street she was hit by an elderly driver and died. Nadia was at home only moments before. She was here then gone in an instant. I had another close friend. John Hinshaw. He was a gifted person. He had the gift of music, math, and many other talents. He came to such a point of depression that he hung himself over a girl. The girl moved on with her life. The girlfriend he had pays little attention to the fact that John died over her. It was a waste. He died to make a point and no one took the point. Now he sits behind a gravestone, and our lives have all moved on. My own sister had a daughter Marissa. My sister took Heroin with her boyfriend and went to sleep with Marissa in the bed with them, only to wake in the morning to find Marissa dead from suffocation as they had laid over her in their Heroin induced comatose state. Life is short, and even unfairly short. We have a choice in how we live our lives. We have to make those choices everyday. We have a choice to Live, and live a life that is full of purpose.
This life truly is but a very small blip on the radar of eternity. It means everything yet means nothing at all.
Psalm 90 (NIV)
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 39 (NIV)
4 "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
Life is fleeting at best. I spend the majority of my life at work. I count the minutes until my next break. I can, at any given time tell you how long it is until I get to go home, most times right down to the minute. I am obsessed with time. I am so concerned that I will not get enough time to do the things that I want to do. I need my time to relax, I need my time to make music, I need my time to do nothing and be nothing. I am obsessed with time. I segment my time almost to the last minute and in spite of that I waste it on the things that don't matter. I am learning that I ought spend my time on the things that God would have me do, thus not wasting it away. Even our work time can be devoted to our Heavenly creator, devoted to Jesus.
Ecclesiastes 2 (amplified Bible)
24There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make himself enjoy good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat or who can have enjoyment any more than I can--[b]apart from Him ? 26 For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and heaping up, that he may give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it.
Luke 12:20(amplified Bible)
20But God said to him, You fool! This very night they [the messengers of God] will demand your soul of you; and all the things that you have prepared, whose will they be?
Will what I have prepared (worked for and spent my time on) be for God for eternal Glory, or will I have nothing to show for this life?
Many of us find ourselves in Jobs that we don't like. I know that I wish for more and better all the time. I have to take the time to be thankful for what I have. Even for my Job. I have found that the best way for me to deal with work is to realize that my true employer is not the company that I work for but God himself. "do all things as unto the Lord" the Bible says. I find that the Time spent at work can be dedicated to my Heavenly Father. Life is to short to be spending my time wasting it away on the negative thoughts about this earthly life. "Set your mind on things above". I pray for my customers. Silently I pray for them in my mind. I help them doing my best as unto the Lord.
"It is appointed once to a man to die" How many days do I have left? Am I wasting them away on the things of the World? What is it that I spend my discretionary time on? These are the things that I ask myself. Am I wasting it all away or living for the kingdom? We have been given enough of Gods Grace for today. The outcome of the race has already been determined. We, as Christians will win, yet we must run the race, fight the good fight, and stay on the path. This earthly life may just be a practice, or test for our heavenly eternity. God let me make use of my every moment for your Glory. This moment is the only moment I have.
Again here are some resources for you, resources that I use all the time.
www.calvarychapel.com for a church near you and you will find TONS of sermons by many great pastors.
http://www.pastorronsmith.org/ for sermons from my Dad (yeah I am a Pastors Kid). Available as Podcast as well.
http://www.biblegateway.com/ for bible reading, verse of the day, or even stream (listen to) the Audio Bible. I love this site.
http://www.creeksidemac.com/ my other current pastor is from this church. You will find his sermons under the Resources tab.
.
Hugs, Love, and Peace-- By Grace In Him---
sMitty ----- Solution7
The Valley Of Darkness Blog #2
The Valley Of Darkness
Written July 16th 2008
Current mood: strong
Category: Life
Though we all face times of trial and tribulation, Our Lord is here and willing to be our peace. I am in the middle of the darkest circumstances I have ever faced. Even darker than the Divorce of my own Parents.
The Lord has laid things on my heart that comfort me. First off he will never leave us nor forsake us. The Bible states that He is faithful and just to complete the work that he has started in us until the day of his return. A promise to keep us on the path that leads to his transformation in us as we continue to be and become more like Jesus. God has me right where he wants me. In spite of the loneliness and brokeness his Rod and Staff the comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
We can be truly broken and destroyed, only to be built up again into a new being that is changed for His glory! The promises of his love are great and new every morning. We have been given the strength to face whatever today brings no matter what that may be. We are not given the strength to deal with the evils of tomorrow. I can't take tomorrow on. It would be too much and I would go bonkers. I have to focus on what is today. His graces are new every morning and fill us with the power that is in Christ Jesus to allow us to handle anything that comes today. We are equipped with that.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD,
God has plans for me and for you too. These are no small plans they are plans that show the promise above. Plans for prosperity. Plans that do not include harming you no matter the circumstance of our lives. Circumstances can be overwhelming. It is OK to cry and talk to God to tell him how you feel. Through prayer and petition we are to make all of our needs known to God. His Love is great and I know he is there. He is watching over you at this very moment. If you're in pain, if you're in the darkness and the suffering is too much, lift it to God. Let him take it from you. He can, and he will. Keeping in mind that his Grace is sufficient to allow you to make it through today. It is when the pains and evils of tomorrow come in that it will be unhealthy. His Word (the Bible) is our owner's manual. It guides us in right paths and heals us where the healing is needed. It can and will lift you. Your emotions and mine follow somewhere behind our actions. Even at a great distance sometimes.
Being a Christian is not a promise of health, wealth, and prosperity in the things of this world. It is appointed to a Man once to die. We are given the promise of eternal life with a King in a Heaven that no one can earthly describe. I heard once that our first moment in heaven is worth a million life times on earth. We have no earthly words to describe such a place. Whatever trials you are in. Whatever your valley of Darkness is. Know this, you are not alone and again He is with you. I have to tell myself this over and over right now. My valley is the Darkest ever. I wake up in tears from nightmares. Nightmares of fear and separation from the one that I Love. We can choose to handle these situations through prayer and petition making all of our needs know to him. He is faithful to answer even when we don't understand the answer. Gods will and timing is often mysterious to me and until I am through the darkness I may not understand the why of the Darkness I was in, and why I must suffer these earthly losses right now.
I can only choose to be a better Man through Christ whom strengthens me, and carries me in these times. His Love is all we need. It is what I need immensely today. Maybe it is what you need now too.
Hug someone you love today. I pray that your day is a blessing and that you would see God and that he would make himself real to you.
Hugs n Love in him Through Grace
sMitty
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Written July 16th 2008
Current mood: strong
Category: Life
Though we all face times of trial and tribulation, Our Lord is here and willing to be our peace. I am in the middle of the darkest circumstances I have ever faced. Even darker than the Divorce of my own Parents.
The Lord has laid things on my heart that comfort me. First off he will never leave us nor forsake us. The Bible states that He is faithful and just to complete the work that he has started in us until the day of his return. A promise to keep us on the path that leads to his transformation in us as we continue to be and become more like Jesus. God has me right where he wants me. In spite of the loneliness and brokeness his Rod and Staff the comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
We can be truly broken and destroyed, only to be built up again into a new being that is changed for His glory! The promises of his love are great and new every morning. We have been given the strength to face whatever today brings no matter what that may be. We are not given the strength to deal with the evils of tomorrow. I can't take tomorrow on. It would be too much and I would go bonkers. I have to focus on what is today. His graces are new every morning and fill us with the power that is in Christ Jesus to allow us to handle anything that comes today. We are equipped with that.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD,
God has plans for me and for you too. These are no small plans they are plans that show the promise above. Plans for prosperity. Plans that do not include harming you no matter the circumstance of our lives. Circumstances can be overwhelming. It is OK to cry and talk to God to tell him how you feel. Through prayer and petition we are to make all of our needs known to God. His Love is great and I know he is there. He is watching over you at this very moment. If you're in pain, if you're in the darkness and the suffering is too much, lift it to God. Let him take it from you. He can, and he will. Keeping in mind that his Grace is sufficient to allow you to make it through today. It is when the pains and evils of tomorrow come in that it will be unhealthy. His Word (the Bible) is our owner's manual. It guides us in right paths and heals us where the healing is needed. It can and will lift you. Your emotions and mine follow somewhere behind our actions. Even at a great distance sometimes.
Being a Christian is not a promise of health, wealth, and prosperity in the things of this world. It is appointed to a Man once to die. We are given the promise of eternal life with a King in a Heaven that no one can earthly describe. I heard once that our first moment in heaven is worth a million life times on earth. We have no earthly words to describe such a place. Whatever trials you are in. Whatever your valley of Darkness is. Know this, you are not alone and again He is with you. I have to tell myself this over and over right now. My valley is the Darkest ever. I wake up in tears from nightmares. Nightmares of fear and separation from the one that I Love. We can choose to handle these situations through prayer and petition making all of our needs know to him. He is faithful to answer even when we don't understand the answer. Gods will and timing is often mysterious to me and until I am through the darkness I may not understand the why of the Darkness I was in, and why I must suffer these earthly losses right now.
I can only choose to be a better Man through Christ whom strengthens me, and carries me in these times. His Love is all we need. It is what I need immensely today. Maybe it is what you need now too.
Hug someone you love today. I pray that your day is a blessing and that you would see God and that he would make himself real to you.
Hugs n Love in him Through Grace
sMitty
http://www.biblegateway.com/
You Are Loved... We Are Loved Blog #1
You are Loved..We are Loved BLOG #1
Written July 8th 2008
Often times our connection with our heavenly father is based in part on our relationship and or past relationship with our earthly father because The dynamics of our relationship with our earthly father, at some level create a perception of what our Heavenly fathers Love for us is, or isn't. As we recognize this we have to make a disassociation with this. People are fallible, and though you may or may not have children, you to will fail and probably at times fail miserably where your children are concerned. People are fallible and all of the relationships we have with earthly beings can and or will let us down.
There are answers to these issues, and a way to fix your connection with God if its broken as mine was. Our peace comes from knowing God and understanding the promises he has given us. Those promises come in the form of a book. The Bible. I needed to forgive my parents for any and all of the things that had hurt me. (More on this later). We are given promises by our heavenly father that are available to each and everyone of us.
God does not intend for us to live a life of resentment, anger, and unforgiveness. We have been given a choice. Once we reach a point where we realize that we are resenting, or have been hurt by those that we love, we are to begin a process of forgiveness. You just truly cannot have the peace that is promised in the Bible if you're holding resentment in your heart. The resentment will hurt and even possibly destroy the resenter not the resentee. Resentment and anger lead to bitterness, which later can lead to depression, anxiousness, and other mental issues. Resentment and anger are habit forming. They became a way of life for me. I resented most everything, my parents, my job, my nation, our society, and even more so my own self. Self-loathing became a way of life. For months and even years the pain in me was a pain that felt like death. It was a pain that I misunderstood as a desire to Die. The truth is we have been given a will to live. God gave us that. He wants us to live and not just live but live a life abundantly that is filled with a peace that transcends all understanding.
God loves us enough to have sent his son to hang there on the Cross and pay the Ultimate price to save each and every one of us. He died for you, that you may have access to the heavenly father. Peace is yours if you accept it. It is there for the taking. You can be free of the bitterness hurt and anger. The alternative is to allow the anger and resentment to destroy you from the inside out. Leading to spiritual, mental and eventually physical death. Sin is death. Sin is death in, mind body and spirit. It kills slowly from the inside.
For me I learned only recently that I must forgive, not only once but also at times I have to forgive over and over again. Even when the person whom has hurt me no longer exudes the behaviors that had hurt me. I still end up needing to forgive over and over. Forgiveness brings a freedom in you and in those that you have forgiven. It gives the opportunity for both parties to move on and be free. This is what God wants from me. It may be something that he wants from you too. A great friend once said forgive everyone of everything everyday. That is valid, and beautiful in its simplicity.
God Loves us and has given us the opportunity to have peace, and to be Forgiven for our own transgressions. We only have to accept it by accepting his Son as our personal savior. It is just that simple. We have been given a wonderful book in the Bible... The Bible is a book of Gods promises to us. We just need accept the promises deep in our hearts.
I have noticed that my feelings follow somewhere behind my actions oft times at some distance. I have to do what I know God has led me to do. I have to do what's right and at some point my feelings catch up to my actions. It is a leap of faith for me as the feelings continue for a time, even as I forgive, I must do what's right and dive into the word. Feelings will follow your actions and thoughts. It is just simply that way. It's unavoidable and requires faith.
I reached a point as my connection with God began to heal where I submitted everything in my life to God. All my issues all the things I have no control over. I gave him everything my mind body and spirit. I spoke these things to him. I saw that connection heal in my own heart. It led me to a point of rejoice, happiness, and a High better than any Drug I had ever used.
God and those he surrounds me with began to teach me how to make these things sustainable. To make the happiness, rejoice, and thankfulness stick to me every day. To sustain those Positive feelings, I have to read the word. I have to read Gods promises to me (promises that are for all of us) I have to read the bible on a regular basis. I am learning that I should surround myself with people whom also follow Jesus. I need to be in fellowship (to use a churchy word). I had to continue to do these things even when those ugly feelings come flooding back. Forgive, pray, fellowship with other believers, and read the greatest book ever, the Bible. That is how we can make it new and real everyday. It is a reprogramming of the way that I think. I understand that I am not in control of things, or at least alot of things. I can't control the decisions others make. I can't change those around me. I can't make or manifest myself wealth, health, or telegraph self manifest some crazy dream world that doesn't exist. I only have control over myself. I can choose how to respond to the circumstances of life. I choose to serve Jesus. I choose to Love God with all my heart mind body and spirit.
The truth is that there is pain, and as a Christian I am no different than the non-Christian in this sense. We all have the pains of life. Just because I believe what I believe does not make me free of the pains and sufferings this world has. It is a part of life. I have been given a choice on how to handle pain, suffering and depression. Through prayer and petition make all your needs known to God. I simply talk to God. I have no prayer secrets; I have no manual on how I should pray to God. I just talk to him. I talk to him about everything. I ask for his help, and I pray for others. Praying for others gives me a selfless perspective. Jesus was the most selfless of all men. He gave his life for all of us. He gave it all. He died a horrible and painful death for you, me and everyone you know. Selflessness helps lead to a peace.
The answers for me during this darkness, sadness and depression are:
Read the Bible--- It is the owners Manual for Humans. Full of Promises that direct us to God.
Talk to God--- Pray about everything, make God your best friend, you're confidant, he will listen, he answers us.
Hang with believers--- God has put people in our lives that are there to minister to us to help guide and direct us in our walk with God. This group of people is often times called the Church. Get connected in a church. Reach out. Don't wait for others to reach out to you. Though people may reach out to you, you can guarantee that you will meet these people and foster healthy relationships, by reaching out yourself. Do not wait. Find a church, a group of like-minded believers.
Those are the things that make the feelings change. Your feelings follow your actions and your thoughts. By doing those three things above your feelings will turn around even if it takes some time for the feelings to catch up to your actions. Change your thought process. An infinite creator loves you. An infinite God that has given you more than you or I realize. Even at our lowest, we have been given much. Take time to realize what you have even if it is only the air that you breath.
Gods' grace is new every morning. I think the reason the Bible tells us that is to remind us that we need His Grace and Peace freshly every day. Its not like you receive peace, grace, and its there instantly forever. It stays there by taking action and doing the things I mentioned. Bible, Fellowship, and forgiveness.
God Loves you. You are NOT alone no matter what your situation is. He is with you and has your best interest at heart. (Romans 8:28) Don't be afraid to reach out to God, talking with him is good. Do reach out to a church. Do pick the Bible up and ask God to use it in you. Maybe even start in the beginning. Or I like what's called a "chronological bible" ...
To share just a bit more about me.... I am an addict. I don't use drugs anymore, but I tried to fill the God shaped whole in my heart with Drugs, Music, and the opposite sex. I come from a broken home my parents were divorced. My childhood was Dark. I only share these things to tell let you know you to can be free of these things. You can and will have healing, in time through Christ , and our true Godly Father. It's there for the taking. Though I stopped my addiction in its tracks, it took some time for him to heal my mind and heart. For me it has all been a process that recently went into warp speed as I SUBMITTED EVERY SINGLE THING TO GOD. When life is too much let go and let God.
Here are some resources ...
http://www.biblegateway.com/ to read or even just listen to the Bible in Audio Form
http://www.calvarychapel.com/ to find a good church near you.
http://www.box.net/public/obk4yv3sv9/rss.xml Pastor Steve Mansour sermons. He is the
pastor at my current place of fellowship, which is: http://creeksidemac.com/default.aspx
Blessings and Love by his Grace,
Your friend and Brother,
sMitty
Written July 8th 2008
Often times our connection with our heavenly father is based in part on our relationship and or past relationship with our earthly father because The dynamics of our relationship with our earthly father, at some level create a perception of what our Heavenly fathers Love for us is, or isn't. As we recognize this we have to make a disassociation with this. People are fallible, and though you may or may not have children, you to will fail and probably at times fail miserably where your children are concerned. People are fallible and all of the relationships we have with earthly beings can and or will let us down.
There are answers to these issues, and a way to fix your connection with God if its broken as mine was. Our peace comes from knowing God and understanding the promises he has given us. Those promises come in the form of a book. The Bible. I needed to forgive my parents for any and all of the things that had hurt me. (More on this later). We are given promises by our heavenly father that are available to each and everyone of us.
God does not intend for us to live a life of resentment, anger, and unforgiveness. We have been given a choice. Once we reach a point where we realize that we are resenting, or have been hurt by those that we love, we are to begin a process of forgiveness. You just truly cannot have the peace that is promised in the Bible if you're holding resentment in your heart. The resentment will hurt and even possibly destroy the resenter not the resentee. Resentment and anger lead to bitterness, which later can lead to depression, anxiousness, and other mental issues. Resentment and anger are habit forming. They became a way of life for me. I resented most everything, my parents, my job, my nation, our society, and even more so my own self. Self-loathing became a way of life. For months and even years the pain in me was a pain that felt like death. It was a pain that I misunderstood as a desire to Die. The truth is we have been given a will to live. God gave us that. He wants us to live and not just live but live a life abundantly that is filled with a peace that transcends all understanding.
God loves us enough to have sent his son to hang there on the Cross and pay the Ultimate price to save each and every one of us. He died for you, that you may have access to the heavenly father. Peace is yours if you accept it. It is there for the taking. You can be free of the bitterness hurt and anger. The alternative is to allow the anger and resentment to destroy you from the inside out. Leading to spiritual, mental and eventually physical death. Sin is death. Sin is death in, mind body and spirit. It kills slowly from the inside.
For me I learned only recently that I must forgive, not only once but also at times I have to forgive over and over again. Even when the person whom has hurt me no longer exudes the behaviors that had hurt me. I still end up needing to forgive over and over. Forgiveness brings a freedom in you and in those that you have forgiven. It gives the opportunity for both parties to move on and be free. This is what God wants from me. It may be something that he wants from you too. A great friend once said forgive everyone of everything everyday. That is valid, and beautiful in its simplicity.
God Loves us and has given us the opportunity to have peace, and to be Forgiven for our own transgressions. We only have to accept it by accepting his Son as our personal savior. It is just that simple. We have been given a wonderful book in the Bible... The Bible is a book of Gods promises to us. We just need accept the promises deep in our hearts.
I have noticed that my feelings follow somewhere behind my actions oft times at some distance. I have to do what I know God has led me to do. I have to do what's right and at some point my feelings catch up to my actions. It is a leap of faith for me as the feelings continue for a time, even as I forgive, I must do what's right and dive into the word. Feelings will follow your actions and thoughts. It is just simply that way. It's unavoidable and requires faith.
I reached a point as my connection with God began to heal where I submitted everything in my life to God. All my issues all the things I have no control over. I gave him everything my mind body and spirit. I spoke these things to him. I saw that connection heal in my own heart. It led me to a point of rejoice, happiness, and a High better than any Drug I had ever used.
God and those he surrounds me with began to teach me how to make these things sustainable. To make the happiness, rejoice, and thankfulness stick to me every day. To sustain those Positive feelings, I have to read the word. I have to read Gods promises to me (promises that are for all of us) I have to read the bible on a regular basis. I am learning that I should surround myself with people whom also follow Jesus. I need to be in fellowship (to use a churchy word). I had to continue to do these things even when those ugly feelings come flooding back. Forgive, pray, fellowship with other believers, and read the greatest book ever, the Bible. That is how we can make it new and real everyday. It is a reprogramming of the way that I think. I understand that I am not in control of things, or at least alot of things. I can't control the decisions others make. I can't change those around me. I can't make or manifest myself wealth, health, or telegraph self manifest some crazy dream world that doesn't exist. I only have control over myself. I can choose how to respond to the circumstances of life. I choose to serve Jesus. I choose to Love God with all my heart mind body and spirit.
The truth is that there is pain, and as a Christian I am no different than the non-Christian in this sense. We all have the pains of life. Just because I believe what I believe does not make me free of the pains and sufferings this world has. It is a part of life. I have been given a choice on how to handle pain, suffering and depression. Through prayer and petition make all your needs known to God. I simply talk to God. I have no prayer secrets; I have no manual on how I should pray to God. I just talk to him. I talk to him about everything. I ask for his help, and I pray for others. Praying for others gives me a selfless perspective. Jesus was the most selfless of all men. He gave his life for all of us. He gave it all. He died a horrible and painful death for you, me and everyone you know. Selflessness helps lead to a peace.
The answers for me during this darkness, sadness and depression are:
Read the Bible--- It is the owners Manual for Humans. Full of Promises that direct us to God.
Talk to God--- Pray about everything, make God your best friend, you're confidant, he will listen, he answers us.
Hang with believers--- God has put people in our lives that are there to minister to us to help guide and direct us in our walk with God. This group of people is often times called the Church. Get connected in a church. Reach out. Don't wait for others to reach out to you. Though people may reach out to you, you can guarantee that you will meet these people and foster healthy relationships, by reaching out yourself. Do not wait. Find a church, a group of like-minded believers.
Those are the things that make the feelings change. Your feelings follow your actions and your thoughts. By doing those three things above your feelings will turn around even if it takes some time for the feelings to catch up to your actions. Change your thought process. An infinite creator loves you. An infinite God that has given you more than you or I realize. Even at our lowest, we have been given much. Take time to realize what you have even if it is only the air that you breath.
Gods' grace is new every morning. I think the reason the Bible tells us that is to remind us that we need His Grace and Peace freshly every day. Its not like you receive peace, grace, and its there instantly forever. It stays there by taking action and doing the things I mentioned. Bible, Fellowship, and forgiveness.
God Loves you. You are NOT alone no matter what your situation is. He is with you and has your best interest at heart. (Romans 8:28) Don't be afraid to reach out to God, talking with him is good. Do reach out to a church. Do pick the Bible up and ask God to use it in you. Maybe even start in the beginning. Or I like what's called a "chronological bible" ...
To share just a bit more about me.... I am an addict. I don't use drugs anymore, but I tried to fill the God shaped whole in my heart with Drugs, Music, and the opposite sex. I come from a broken home my parents were divorced. My childhood was Dark. I only share these things to tell let you know you to can be free of these things. You can and will have healing, in time through Christ , and our true Godly Father. It's there for the taking. Though I stopped my addiction in its tracks, it took some time for him to heal my mind and heart. For me it has all been a process that recently went into warp speed as I SUBMITTED EVERY SINGLE THING TO GOD. When life is too much let go and let God.
Here are some resources ...
http://www.biblegateway.com/ to read or even just listen to the Bible in Audio Form
http://www.calvarychapel.com/ to find a good church near you.
http://www.box.net/public/obk4yv3sv9/rss.xml Pastor Steve Mansour sermons. He is the
pastor at my current place of fellowship, which is: http://creeksidemac.com/default.aspx
Blessings and Love by his Grace,
Your friend and Brother,
sMitty
Monday, October 13, 2008
Why God Made Woman (my opinion) Blog #10
Why God created woman. (opinions and thoughts by sMitty)
It has been a long time since I have posted a Blog. I am working on several. One about prophecy and how close we are to the end, another on our daily walk with God (Desiring God) and finally this one. Some of you may know some of my story and that I had been apart from my spouse for some time. It had been a tough ordeal that left me broken early on and healed by the grace of God later. The separation led to my complete surrender to the Lord, and for that I am grateful and would not change what I have gone through. It has been worth it all the way, and I am a new Man by grace, through Faith in Jesus. If you are interested you can read more about my surrender and journey by reading the previous blogs here.
http://www.thesolution7.blogspot.com/
I have a sweet chronological Bible and it is very cool to read things in the order that they happened. Of course Genesis is in the beginning and I found some parts of it that were truly relevant to my situation. I am blown away by the Lords ability to use the Word and make it relevant to our lives, as we read, pray and seek Him. In Genesis God talks about the creation of Woman, Eve to be exact. Let me preface this whole blog with a few statements. First of all, Men and Woman are equals in my estimation. I also believe that though we are equals we are uniquely created with certain abilities to perform certain roles in life, and for the Kingdom. I will be talking mainly about the creation of woman in this blog. I have talked about men and our roles in previous Blogs. If you think that I am being one sided here please go read my blog on Love. It would give you insight into a mans role which is basically these things
1. Love his wife as Christ did the Church.. In other words to die unto himself and put her first. Die to his selfish ways. Christ died a painful horrible death for the church.
2. To be the leader in his home, primarily the spiritual leader. Forging the path straight to Jesus for his family, leading by example in a loving kind manner.
So on to my thoughts and this topic.. We will start with a verse
Genesis 2 18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Here God lays out his first reason for creating woman. Women were created with that very scripture in mind. It is not good for a man to be alone. Women were created to be a mans companion. Men and woman were meant to be together as companions, lovers, and friends. They compliment each other. Man was not meant to be alone, but to find a woman to be with and enjoy. So in this sense it is true that it is better for a man to be married than not in my opinion
He goes on..
Genesis 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.
But for Adam [h] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs [i] and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib [j] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The second part of that scripture sticks out to me the most based on the light of my situation. It shows that women were created to be a helper for man. God mentions that he would make a help mate for Adam. A suitable helper at that. Suitable might be another way of saying compatible helper. So if you are a woman you are inherently compatible with a Man. By definition, ordained by God, woman is to be man's helper. Yeah I just said that. It is her primary role. God did not say that he made Woman to be mother first, daughter first, cousin first, sister first, friend first, but to be a helper of her Man. It is a blessing to me that God made this so crystal clear to me. Its beautiful in its simplicity. He leaves no question here what the primary role of a woman is.
How is that a woman helps her man? First and foremost is as a cheerleader. You have heard it said "behind every good man is a great woman". I believe that to be true. The Love of a woman is a huge motivation for a man. As a man I have felt as though I could climb the highest mountains, and conquer nations when I feel the Love of my woman. It is one of the strongest motivations. A woman could be the one cheering her man on as it relates to work, to life, and all of his endeavors. She might be, or could be his greatest asset, and the biggest believer in his abilities. A man ought make him self worthy of these things.
Secondly I believe if a woman is a stay at home woman without a career or a job then her primary job should be her home. They used to teach these things in school back in the 50's but now a days roles have changed and a woman is now a breadwinner in many homes. One of my best friends is the stay at home Dad while his wife works. He assumes the role. He makes dinner, cares for the children and cleans the house. I told my wife a long time ago that she could goto work or stay at home, whatever she chose was fine with me. When the kids were to young for school I encouraged her to stay home. I also required that she be a homemaker. I again must emphasize that if a lady is to stay home rather than work she ought fulfill the role and make her home her job.
The second part of that scripture refers to the actual creation of Eve. God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. This is a reference to the fact that Adam did not have any say in what God was about to do. Adam did not have any input about how his mate should be made.. no input on the matter at all. It was also a way for God to save Adam from the pain in having a Rib removed. Adam was created from the dust of the earth. So that means that women are dust twice refined, and in some way a higher being, closer to God. The Rib came from Adam's side and that represents the fact that woman and man are equal side by side. God did not choose to use a bone of the foot that she might be stomped on, or bone from the top of Adam, that she might rule over Man. He choose the side to show that the two are side by side equals. If Adam was the King, Eve would be the jeweled crown.
He goes on...
Genesis 23 The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman, [k] '
for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Adam was clearly blessed by the creation of Woman. He even used Man in her name as they were equals but different in sex. She was formed from "bone of my bone flesh of my flesh" The two shall be one. It says that the two were naked and they were not ashamed. They were comfortable with each other. "for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and they will become one flesh". Clearly the man and the woman are to leave behind the former life and cling one to another, and become one, a new family. A man would have such desire for his woman that he would leave all that he has known behind and start a new with his helper, with his wife. Just as man and woman are equals so is the requirement to leave the former family and cleave one to another. It is clear that we are to cut the umbilical chord and become a new separate being. Through the marriage bond and the unity of Sex the two become one flesh. Literally speaking.
The union of sex is meant for a marriage relationship because of the bond that it creates. To break that bond, or go through a divorce is like tearing one being apart into two. It is one of the many reasons that break ups after sexual union are so difficult. So difficult that it can take a lifetime to heal. Since the two become one it is imperative to leave Sex for that true Love relationship called marriage. God was not punishing us by commanding that we would save sex for marriage, he was simply protecting us from the pain it causes to break that union. As it is with the commandments that God has given us, they are out of Love. He loves us enough to warn us, to guide us with his word. He gave us the ultimate owners manual in the Bible. It is the best way to answer all of our questions in life. The Bible is God breathed, God inspired.
Back to the topic at hand here. God made women to be a companion to man. He made her first to be a help-mate for man. Again let me say, she is help mate first, not sister, daughter, friend, cousin, aunt, grandmother, or anything else first. In an ideal world I believe it to be best for a woman to be a homemaker. To be home taking care of the home in such a way to make it a refuge for her man. I believe that when a woman becomes a mother that at some level the kids come first especially early on in the children's lives. This does not mean that she ought forsake her first role in being a help-mate to her man. In an ideal world even after the kids are in school a woman might still be a home maker. Cooking, cleaning, and again like I said before making her home a refuge for her man.
So with all that said I am sure that I have offended some. I do not intend to. These things are my opinion and no where does it command in the Bible that a woman should be at home barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. For me I have certain needs. I need a clean neat home. I need my wife to be available when I am off work, and if she were working our schedules might be as such that we would have little time together. I need a refuge from this world and I need that refuge to be my home. Since we have children it really is a full time job to keep our home a refuge and to take care of the children. I appreciate that my wife is willing and is able to do these things. She is more than I could ever ask for. I have never required that she be a home maker or stay home. It has always been an option.
If your a man, maybe ask yourself...
What s it that I truly value? Would it be better for our family if my wife was home? What is it that my wife wants? Does she want to work? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to give her the option to stay home and fulfill her primary roles as help-mate and mother?
If you are a woman ask yourself..
Am doing the right thing by allowing a babysitter to raise my children? Is it really necessary for me to work? What is it that my husband wants? Am I making my home a refuge?
If you are a stay at home mom or home-maker ask yourself... Am I really doing as I ought to and full-filling the role of help-mate and mother? Am I doing as God has called me to do or am I wasting away the free-time that I have been blessed with on the things of this world?
Here is a way to find out if your wasting your time by answering these questions. This applies to both men and woman.
How much time do I spend watching TV
How much time do I spend on the internet myspacing, playing online games, and instant messaging?
How much time do I spend playing video games?
How much time do I spend on the phone, texting or talking?
How much time do I spend away from the home during my spare time?
Is my spouse comfortable with how I use my discretionary time?
How much time do I spend with my friends and does it take away from my immediate family?
The truthful answers to these questions will help determine where our priorities are at. It is what we do with our discretionary time that can be the best bartometer to guage whom and what we serve. If any of this offends you maybe it would be wise to get to the heart of the matter and find out what your root feelings are. Are you feeling convited by the spirit? Are you angry because of the guilt you may have for not fullfilling your Godly ordained role? What is it that you might be afraid of?
Wasting time-- This is off topic somewhat but relevant to a marriage relationship. I have some serious opinions as it relates to the television.
1. most of the programs on television promote tolerance of sexual immorality and gay lifestyles.
2. most programs portray woman as sex objects and not human beings
3. there is tons of violence on TV and by the age 18 a person has on average seen 200000 acts of violence
4. 44% of kids say they watch something different when their parents are not home
5. Witnessing repeated violent acts can lead to desensitization and a lack of empathy for human suffering
You can understand why I do not watch TV anymore :)
It has been a long time since I have posted a Blog. I am working on several. One about prophecy and how close we are to the end, another on our daily walk with God (Desiring God) and finally this one. Some of you may know some of my story and that I had been apart from my spouse for some time. It had been a tough ordeal that left me broken early on and healed by the grace of God later. The separation led to my complete surrender to the Lord, and for that I am grateful and would not change what I have gone through. It has been worth it all the way, and I am a new Man by grace, through Faith in Jesus. If you are interested you can read more about my surrender and journey by reading the previous blogs here.
http://www.thesolution7.blogspot.com/
I have a sweet chronological Bible and it is very cool to read things in the order that they happened. Of course Genesis is in the beginning and I found some parts of it that were truly relevant to my situation. I am blown away by the Lords ability to use the Word and make it relevant to our lives, as we read, pray and seek Him. In Genesis God talks about the creation of Woman, Eve to be exact. Let me preface this whole blog with a few statements. First of all, Men and Woman are equals in my estimation. I also believe that though we are equals we are uniquely created with certain abilities to perform certain roles in life, and for the Kingdom. I will be talking mainly about the creation of woman in this blog. I have talked about men and our roles in previous Blogs. If you think that I am being one sided here please go read my blog on Love. It would give you insight into a mans role which is basically these things
1. Love his wife as Christ did the Church.. In other words to die unto himself and put her first. Die to his selfish ways. Christ died a painful horrible death for the church.
2. To be the leader in his home, primarily the spiritual leader. Forging the path straight to Jesus for his family, leading by example in a loving kind manner.
So on to my thoughts and this topic.. We will start with a verse
Genesis 2 18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
Here God lays out his first reason for creating woman. Women were created with that very scripture in mind. It is not good for a man to be alone. Women were created to be a mans companion. Men and woman were meant to be together as companions, lovers, and friends. They compliment each other. Man was not meant to be alone, but to find a woman to be with and enjoy. So in this sense it is true that it is better for a man to be married than not in my opinion
He goes on..
Genesis 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.
But for Adam [h] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs [i] and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib [j] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The second part of that scripture sticks out to me the most based on the light of my situation. It shows that women were created to be a helper for man. God mentions that he would make a help mate for Adam. A suitable helper at that. Suitable might be another way of saying compatible helper. So if you are a woman you are inherently compatible with a Man. By definition, ordained by God, woman is to be man's helper. Yeah I just said that. It is her primary role. God did not say that he made Woman to be mother first, daughter first, cousin first, sister first, friend first, but to be a helper of her Man. It is a blessing to me that God made this so crystal clear to me. Its beautiful in its simplicity. He leaves no question here what the primary role of a woman is.
How is that a woman helps her man? First and foremost is as a cheerleader. You have heard it said "behind every good man is a great woman". I believe that to be true. The Love of a woman is a huge motivation for a man. As a man I have felt as though I could climb the highest mountains, and conquer nations when I feel the Love of my woman. It is one of the strongest motivations. A woman could be the one cheering her man on as it relates to work, to life, and all of his endeavors. She might be, or could be his greatest asset, and the biggest believer in his abilities. A man ought make him self worthy of these things.
Secondly I believe if a woman is a stay at home woman without a career or a job then her primary job should be her home. They used to teach these things in school back in the 50's but now a days roles have changed and a woman is now a breadwinner in many homes. One of my best friends is the stay at home Dad while his wife works. He assumes the role. He makes dinner, cares for the children and cleans the house. I told my wife a long time ago that she could goto work or stay at home, whatever she chose was fine with me. When the kids were to young for school I encouraged her to stay home. I also required that she be a homemaker. I again must emphasize that if a lady is to stay home rather than work she ought fulfill the role and make her home her job.
The second part of that scripture refers to the actual creation of Eve. God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. This is a reference to the fact that Adam did not have any say in what God was about to do. Adam did not have any input about how his mate should be made.. no input on the matter at all. It was also a way for God to save Adam from the pain in having a Rib removed. Adam was created from the dust of the earth. So that means that women are dust twice refined, and in some way a higher being, closer to God. The Rib came from Adam's side and that represents the fact that woman and man are equal side by side. God did not choose to use a bone of the foot that she might be stomped on, or bone from the top of Adam, that she might rule over Man. He choose the side to show that the two are side by side equals. If Adam was the King, Eve would be the jeweled crown.
He goes on...
Genesis 23 The man said,
"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman, [k] '
for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Adam was clearly blessed by the creation of Woman. He even used Man in her name as they were equals but different in sex. She was formed from "bone of my bone flesh of my flesh" The two shall be one. It says that the two were naked and they were not ashamed. They were comfortable with each other. "for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and they will become one flesh". Clearly the man and the woman are to leave behind the former life and cling one to another, and become one, a new family. A man would have such desire for his woman that he would leave all that he has known behind and start a new with his helper, with his wife. Just as man and woman are equals so is the requirement to leave the former family and cleave one to another. It is clear that we are to cut the umbilical chord and become a new separate being. Through the marriage bond and the unity of Sex the two become one flesh. Literally speaking.
The union of sex is meant for a marriage relationship because of the bond that it creates. To break that bond, or go through a divorce is like tearing one being apart into two. It is one of the many reasons that break ups after sexual union are so difficult. So difficult that it can take a lifetime to heal. Since the two become one it is imperative to leave Sex for that true Love relationship called marriage. God was not punishing us by commanding that we would save sex for marriage, he was simply protecting us from the pain it causes to break that union. As it is with the commandments that God has given us, they are out of Love. He loves us enough to warn us, to guide us with his word. He gave us the ultimate owners manual in the Bible. It is the best way to answer all of our questions in life. The Bible is God breathed, God inspired.
Back to the topic at hand here. God made women to be a companion to man. He made her first to be a help-mate for man. Again let me say, she is help mate first, not sister, daughter, friend, cousin, aunt, grandmother, or anything else first. In an ideal world I believe it to be best for a woman to be a homemaker. To be home taking care of the home in such a way to make it a refuge for her man. I believe that when a woman becomes a mother that at some level the kids come first especially early on in the children's lives. This does not mean that she ought forsake her first role in being a help-mate to her man. In an ideal world even after the kids are in school a woman might still be a home maker. Cooking, cleaning, and again like I said before making her home a refuge for her man.
So with all that said I am sure that I have offended some. I do not intend to. These things are my opinion and no where does it command in the Bible that a woman should be at home barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. For me I have certain needs. I need a clean neat home. I need my wife to be available when I am off work, and if she were working our schedules might be as such that we would have little time together. I need a refuge from this world and I need that refuge to be my home. Since we have children it really is a full time job to keep our home a refuge and to take care of the children. I appreciate that my wife is willing and is able to do these things. She is more than I could ever ask for. I have never required that she be a home maker or stay home. It has always been an option.
If your a man, maybe ask yourself...
What s it that I truly value? Would it be better for our family if my wife was home? What is it that my wife wants? Does she want to work? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to give her the option to stay home and fulfill her primary roles as help-mate and mother?
If you are a woman ask yourself..
Am doing the right thing by allowing a babysitter to raise my children? Is it really necessary for me to work? What is it that my husband wants? Am I making my home a refuge?
If you are a stay at home mom or home-maker ask yourself... Am I really doing as I ought to and full-filling the role of help-mate and mother? Am I doing as God has called me to do or am I wasting away the free-time that I have been blessed with on the things of this world?
Here is a way to find out if your wasting your time by answering these questions. This applies to both men and woman.
How much time do I spend watching TV
How much time do I spend on the internet myspacing, playing online games, and instant messaging?
How much time do I spend playing video games?
How much time do I spend on the phone, texting or talking?
How much time do I spend away from the home during my spare time?
Is my spouse comfortable with how I use my discretionary time?
How much time do I spend with my friends and does it take away from my immediate family?
The truthful answers to these questions will help determine where our priorities are at. It is what we do with our discretionary time that can be the best bartometer to guage whom and what we serve. If any of this offends you maybe it would be wise to get to the heart of the matter and find out what your root feelings are. Are you feeling convited by the spirit? Are you angry because of the guilt you may have for not fullfilling your Godly ordained role? What is it that you might be afraid of?
Wasting time-- This is off topic somewhat but relevant to a marriage relationship. I have some serious opinions as it relates to the television.
1. most of the programs on television promote tolerance of sexual immorality and gay lifestyles.
2. most programs portray woman as sex objects and not human beings
3. there is tons of violence on TV and by the age 18 a person has on average seen 200000 acts of violence
4. 44% of kids say they watch something different when their parents are not home
5. Witnessing repeated violent acts can lead to desensitization and a lack of empathy for human suffering
You can understand why I do not watch TV anymore :)
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