This is not a doom and gloom post. It’s a post about the redeeming nature of God. The simple example of a refiner’s fire is to rid the pot’s contents of dross (impurities). That can’t be done without fire. The fire has been lit people. I’m not prophesying. I’m observing what is going on in the earth today. Evil men have overtaken the power of humanity and are using it to benefit themselves. It’s very apparent and if you don’t see it I would say you need to pray. Pray hard. Pray hard that you are protected and that your heart is towards God. Settle your foundation first. Then pray for all of those around you and let that extend outward. The gold in this earth is heating up in the pot. The dross has already started to rise. It can be seen more and more every day. Evil seems to abound, but it’s only for a day.
Evil has no boundaries. It reaches out to touch any and all it can. Don’t let yourself be infected with delusion. Let yourself shine with the light of God. You have to be the purity of what will be left once the dross has been screeded from the top of the hot coldren. Even let your own heart to screeded from impurities. We must mature in Christ.
I’ve said it before and I still contend that evil is self-destructive. It cannot survive on it’s own. It will implode. Just let the applied heat rise on it and watch it melt away. As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked in the furnace plus one. Christ. Anyone surrounding the fire died just from the heat.
I’m sad that this process has to be applied, but rejoice that God knows best. The new day will come with the rising of the sun (Son). Rejoice and be glad in it.
A friend asked me to pray for her. She says she has anger issues, and the devil is after her. Here’s my advice. Eliminate the devil from the perspective. I told her to look at it for what it is. God tests His own to mature them. It could be called chastisement by some, but I consider it to be life circumstances. I turn circumstances into challenges.
From tackling those issues I’ve found over time I’m able to handle bigger circumstances without wringing my hands. Folks, my blood pressure is the nearest to normal it’s ever been over the years by following this method. It may help you by realizing God wants you to be a better more mature Christian. Maturity is another word for perfection. I don’t shy away from perfection. I do strive for maturity and being almost 74 years old I still feel I have a lot of growing to do. God knows I’ve fallen down more times than I can count, but I keep getting up. It’s worth the journey.
Just one last thing. This past week I got a bill for my auto insurance. It went up $465 a month. I felt there must be some mistake. Well, there was a mistake. They had Libby’s license number one number off and they put her in as an inexperienced driver like she was sixteen. But alas, even after the readjustment it was still $151 a month more than the last six months and before. I still questioned it, and they were adamant that was the story. I was beginning to lose it. That’s almost twice what I was paying. So I did some shopping and went on a search and the agent told me he would help. After his search, he came back he said your company is the cheapest, BUT, if he was to rewrite me a new policy with the same company it was save me $10 a month. Hey, $10 is $10. So now I have a new policy that is through the ceiling.
Why am I telling you this? It’s one of those circumstances I was relating to above. I made an inquiry to God about it. Can you figure out what He told me? It was a simple answer. “Have I not been sufficient for you?” Well, shut my mouth. The challenge became the answer. God is sufficient. Now I have nothing to say except I learned another lesson. How to lean on God more than I have done in the past. That’s growth.
Just an observation. I was letting my mind do it’s usual. Throwing things around in my head about how we view God today. A thought came up that made me stop and think.
God is God. Right? He says He doesn’t change.
Malachi 3:6 – For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
I Thes 5:24 – God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete.
One verse is Old Testament and the other is New Testament. What crossed my mind was that I’ve always been taught the God of the Old Testament was an angry God. The New Testament picture of God is a loving God.
Of course I have to take into consideration the circumstances of Adamic fall in the OT and then that of Jesus becominng the Last Adam in the NT. The laws of Moses were meant to condemn those that disobeyed, but the NT portrays the doing away with the OT law in favor of the redemptive nature where the law of grace and mercy are written not on tablets of stone, but of the heart of those that believe. We are no longer required to obey the OT law. In the NT we desire to obey by the new nature within us.
Okay, so the question that rose up was this. If God is unchanging and is angry and loving I see these attributes of God as facets that are portrayed by the writers that is justly so by the times these views were written. God did not change. He’s always been God. Perhaps I’ve lost the view I saw when I first thought of this.
It’s just that I think God never hated us. Ever. He had a role to display in the Biblical settings. God would never have sent His Son if He had been angry with all mankind in the OT. I believe He sought after righteous people in the OT. He did it with a plan to create a thread through the OT to bring forth His Son to redemn mankind.
I feel like I’ve missed my whole point, but it was interesting to me that I think the OT and the NT portrayal of God are facets of God. Not how He felt about us. Does that make sense?
God is a good God. I’m still recovering from surgery. It will be three weeks this coming Monday. At my age I’m finding it difficult to get back to normal. I’ve developed a pain in the upper center of my chest externally when I exert myself. It goes away pretty quickly when I stop. Since school got out for the summer, I’ve had my implanted lenses laser polished and it made a lot of difference. After my exam earlier this week it was noted my vision had improved after the procedure. My visit to my urologist was good and bad. When they put me under for the procedure they found a stone in my bladder that they crushed so it could pass. The healing process was coming along very well, but the bad news was the biopsy of my prostate showed an adenocarcinoma. The good side of that is it was so small and insignificant that the doctor said there was no need for treatment and about 95% of people with this type cancer survive for most of ten years even without treatment. However I will be going back in November for another biopsy just to be sure.
Now back to the chest pain. I went for my usual six month checkup with my cardiologist and he couldn’t seem less worried about the chest pain. He leans the way that I do that it is likely muscular in nature and unless it become intolerable we are simply going to keep watch on it. I go back in February unless needed.
One morning this week I had a strange occurance. I couldn’t say if I was semi-awake or asleep. I had a dream I suppose that I saw a blackness, then in the center came a small blue area. As it grew it broke open with a bright white light. Then it closed and opened again. It seemed to reopen a few times in various ways and then would close. The light was very bright white. I conveyed this to my wife. She wouldn’t respond as to what she thought. For now, inless I experience that again I’m leaving it to my permanent memories.
I’ve recently been swinging between depression and sanity. All my life I’ve practiced diversions to the depression. I feel I’m pretty good at maintaining stability. I had a brother that committed suicide. I’m nowhere near that. Getting older has become a challenge. From this there is no escape. God has been very good to me in softening the landing on this fact of life. In fact I’ve learned the loss of my body does not end my life. Upon accepting Jesus having given me a way, all of us that have will bypass death and enter eternal life.
I don’t love God for selfish reasons. Perhaps it could have had such an inkling of such when I was young, but that has long gone away. I feel I can lay down my body and let Him take me without issue. This isn’t a proclamation of my demise. It’s a simple statement from me today. I love God for His love for me. I appreciate what He has done for me. I wish all that reads my words could let them come alive in themselves. It would create a peace within that does indeed pass all understanding.
I carry these little figurines in my pocket everywhere I go. God will prompt me, and sometimes I can just read a face that is troubled. I will ask them if they need a “little Jesus” at the appropriate moment. Many of them say “yes” or “I do all the time”. My hand is already in my pocket with this little rubbery representation.
It’s not an icon. It is something for when you feel down you can reach in your pocket or look up from your desk and get a fresh reminder of God’s grace and mercy. I’ve only had two refuse it and one of the two thanked me for thinking of them anyway. Most give me a smile and tell me they really needed it at that moment.
I woke up this morning with the knowledge that God takes care of me. Not only me, but all of you that read and haven’t read this. Believe it or not, I still have to struggle through some days. But I’m no different than you. Don’t tell me you don’t.
However, there is one something I do know. We have a sure foundation on which to stand and His name is Jesus. He is the one that gets me through. Not around or out of, but through. Doing so will only strengthen my coming through. Testings and trials are what brings maturity. They solidify knowledge of where our strength comes from. You have a mission in life. A calling if you will. In the pursuance of God through the good times and the trials, I would say not only will you see the maturity of your life, but the lengthening of your days.
Some of you know that my family didn’t have a long lifespan. My dad died only months after turning sixty. Three of my brothers died in their fifties. One remaining brother is in his fifties. My mom passed away at sixty-six. Here I am almost seven-four. You tell me the breaking of familial curses can’t be broken and I’ll tell you that you don’t know what God will do by principle.
Pursuing God has been a goal for me for most of my life. There was a time when I fell, but God picked me up, I brushed myself off and started back to following Him. Don’t let your present circumstances overwhelm you. Stop looking at them. Refocus your vision on God. Open your arms and run to Him. Surrender yourself to Him and you will be restored and make it through the storms in life.
My wife attends a ladies group meeting the first Friday of every month. She told me this is the fourth year anniversary since the start of this ministry called WINGS. I don’t remember what it stands for. She goes for a time of sharing, prayer, a devotion and food. She usually doesn’t get home till close to midnight. I used to go with her and sit in the house with the husbands of the women. I can’t deal with the late night thirty minutes from home. When I get sleepy I’m no good.
I left out of the house this morning with a goal in mind. I was going by to see my school bus supervisor only to realize they don’t work on Friday during the summer, so I stopped back by our church and talked with the pastors present. I brought them up to date on my surgery progress and inquired about the pastor’s wife that is due to have a baby the 26th of this month. They are really having issues with this unborn child. From what my wife knows (having worked in an OB clinice for a while) this child will likely not survive without intervention from God. They’ve already assigned an oncologist to the birthing team. It’s not good. I’m going to let God do what He does best.
My wife and I had a long talk last evening while we lay in bed. I finally got it out what I’m feeling inside. God has opened up a lot of doors of understanding for me here at this end of my life. I told my wife God had initially told me I had 74 years on this earth. However He has spoken to me that he was extending my days because of my faithfulness. I still want to finish my second book. I also have a wedding ceremony to perform in October. With all that God has shown me I have become sober-minded to what lies ahead. I have a few more years and I will cross over into the heavenly realm. Untill then I’m surrendered to that fact of life. I am completely convinced of my relationship with God through Jesus. I don’t take it lightly.
I still have unresolved issues that I cannot change without change from the other side. My former wife is a bitter woman and I have written that off as a lost recovery of at least some semblance of civility. My heart breaks for my sons. Their wives dispise me. One plainly said that if I were not their husband’s dad they would have nothing to do with me. I love this one. She was like a daughter to me. The other wife has no respect for elders. It’s her way or the highway and I can’t change that. My sons have to live with them and I will not interfere with their lives because of their lack of forgiveness and understanding. I have four granddaughters that I have no input into their lives. Three of them I have not seen in five years this week. I have no harsh feeling for any of my family. I ache for their lack of understanding of God’s grace.
All in all, my recommendation to anyone that reads this is to at least make an effort to connect with family that is estranged. If they don’t want to respond, the load is off of you. It becomes their issue to resolve. What bothers me is that the last time I saw my elder son was five years ago this week. He turned fifty this year. I’m giving them nothing in my Will since I don’t think it will be appreciated. I have a nephew that will likely have something. He and his wife have a son, so passing along family items to them will likely stay in the family for some years to come.
What I’m proud of is my wife. She has prayed for his son and daughter. Both have come to a place that I consider the right road over time. They were both in a mess when I met my wife. The son and his family are now attending church and her daughter has seemingly settled down with a Christian guy whose mom and dad are great people. It’s the answer to my wife’s prayers. I’m very happy for my wife to see this. They, too, had disowned her when she filed for divorce, but oh what a change. They came to realize their dad is an abusive, selfish and controlling man. They have cut him off after repeated trys to make amends with him.
Tonight I’m completely settled in my spirit. I’ve come to accept the inevitable. I know longer fear the future. I have an eternal home. Why don’t you, the reader, make a decision such as I have to allow you the peace you need in your life?
I almost named this post I’m Tired, then I remembered a few posts back I have one of the same title. I’ve been home recovering from a short hospital stay for a TURP procedure to help me with my old man problem. Peeing blood everyday has almost worn me out. Today is the first day I’ve been clear. My second post-surgical follow-up is tomorrow. From my research the total recovery time can be up to two months.
So far this summer I’ve had my post-cataract lenses laser polished and then this. I’m doing okay with keeping my glucose level stable, but it has trended up about ten points. My blood pressure is pretty much normal. For seventy-three years old, I am doing okay. One thing at a time. My next project is to take care of my plantar fasciitis. My right foot is really painful.
We got a new baby in the house. We already had Beau and Luke. One is a wire-haired Dachshund and the other is a slick Dachshund. We got Rose through Little Paws Adoption for Dachshunds. She was rescued from a puppy mill where she was constantly bred for about ten years. She was badly abused and cowers when approached. She came to us a few days before my surgery, so we are adjusting together. Beau has taken to her seemingly knowing she’s hurt in some way. Luke was not to kind to her at first but has become better with her. Luke is the slick coat one. Rose is on Fluoxetine or better known as Prozac.
We take our time with Rose and she is coming around. She meets us at the bedroom door in the morning when she hears us stirring. The boys sleep in the “big bed” with us, so they jump down and greet her.
I would have something to say about the goings on politically and what happened with the Olympics, but I just get so concerned. . . well, angry with Christians that have no depth in their walk. God has blessed me with knowledge from studying that I don’t take for granted. I had one of the most gifted mentors in the world. He totally rocked my theological thought processes when I first heard him and it made me angry. That anger spurred me to dig and dig deep to try to prove him wrong, but logical study in what God revealed to me proved I was wrong. He was not the only one teaching the depths of scripture that I came to understand. You can look him up. His name is Dr. Kelley H. Varner and one of his like minded teachers is Dr. Lynn Hiles. There are few men like them. There is another by the name of Dr. Stephen Everett.
My wife has been a quick study and is approaching my level many times quicker that I have. Mine has had to savor over time. Neither of us have a corner on the market so to speak. I’m blessed with the knowledge I’ve gained from many years of sitting under ministry to learn. More than thirty years worth.
Where I stand now lends me to crying over the Christians I see today that have frozen in place for one reason or another without desire to excel in the Word. We need a fresh move of God in the earth. I pray for this to happen. I need change. You need change. It’s how we grow. Our place in the heavenlies is already here. We need to act on it.
I cannot for the life of me understand why Christians take up for sin when sin (in this case a slap in the face of Christians) will take up for this Olympic show of the things we are to hate. Namely sin. Sin is described as coming short of the glory of God. This so-called Pastor Jacob Whitehead has a mistaken reaction to it. I’m not angry with people. However, I don’t like their sinful nature and expose’ of it in the form of a depiction of the Last Supper. It’s wrong folks. Totally wrong.
We are told to understand that all the Apostles and others were unclean in sin at some point, but don’t take into consideration they turned (as in repentance) from their shortcomings and made themselves right with God. These folks in Paris aren’t and as of yet done so. They are reprobates (given over to do whatever they desire in their flesh).
Jesus’ sacrifice was to reconcile all men, but He has not smiled on sin. YOU have to make an acknowledgment of your sin. Did this “show” cause anyone to feel the Holy Spirit convince them of their sin and need for salvation? I don’t think so. Take into consideration the woman caught in the act of adultry. Jesus didn’t condemn her. Neither would I, but the kicker is Jesus freed (forgave) her with the stipulation to go and sin no more.
Nicolaitans taught a doctrine of compromise. As Christians, we can’t do that. In Rev 2:1-6 we see the Church at Ephesus was admonished yet they hated the Nicolaitans doctrine.
Don’t compromise your faith in God. Be decerning. Don’t be deceived. I will likely not be liked over this, but I will not compromise my Father’s Word.
I have often considered the decisions of either praying for someone to be healed or to pray for God’s will. I’m sure I’m not alone in this world over these two directions we should consider for someone who requests we pray for them in what comes to an end-of-life situation.
Several years ago I was called to a friends home that was dying from cancer. On the way over I didn’t know what I was to say. I spoke with his wife when I got there about the dire nature of the situation. Her husband was in an in-home hospital bed in the living room area. His wife told me he was wanting to wait on dying until his step-son came home. He was enroute from Japan. He was in the Navy at the time.
I sat down next to his bed. He was quiet. I sensed death hovering over him. His end was near. I admired his desire to see his step-son one last time. I had a decision to make. Live or die. How should I pray? I could not depend on my own decision to be the final say in the matter, so first and foremost I prayed to God for His mind in the matter before proceeding. In moments like these I have to listen, hear and follow His direction. Then the answer came. God spoke to me to tell him it is okay to go. There was no dishonor in death. Everyone concerned would understand. So I leaned over to his ear and whispered “If you have to go it will be okay”. I also noted I knew he was tired of fighting and the balance between staying and going was weighing on him. So I repeated that it was okay to go if he felt to do so.
He died during the night many hours before his step-son got in. I know it’s human nature to want this type of situation to end with his step-son finally arriving and seeing his dad before death took him. But that is the crux of the matter. What God’s will is overrides our thoughts and wishes. This thought can present an emotional response, but we must remain faithful to God’s thoughts of what is best. He works all things together for those who love Him.
Livin' Small 