Thursday, May 14, 2015

You need a reminder

Sometimes you and I need a history lesson.  I found the lyrics to a song that I believe will help set this all up for you.  This is from the song Reminders of You by Geoff Moore and the Distance.  

"A cross on a chain, or a thunder cloud rolling
A Bible in a hotel room, or lights on an evergreen
tombstones on the hillside, or a little child laughing
Just to name a few reminders of you
you abide in me, my hope my Lord 
and I will not forget your name
please keep sending me reminders of you
A table set for twelve, or a northern star shining
A lazy Sunday afternoon, or a cool mountain stream
A piece of bread with a red wine 
A December snow falling
Just to name a few reminders of you."

Lately my life has been crazy and that is one of the biggest understatements I could ever make.  My friend David claims that the vulnerability I put into this blog is the very thing God uses to teach him.  I'm going to be very raw open and honest.  The job I have done for 13 years will close it's doors later this year.  I don't know what the future holds.  I will admit this has created a spiritual battle in my thoughts.  I want to worry, fret and be stressed out.  My mom reminded  me this week that how I think and react affects Marion.  It's a struggle.  Satan has been trying to attack my biggest weak spot and that is to make me believe I'm a failure.  I have often tried to sleep and place my thoughts and stress in God's hands or I won't be able to think right or sleep.  On top of all this I have developed a swollen and infected foot.  I like you need reminders of who God is and what has been done for us.  Before we get to the verses i have for you i want to offer up 2 quotes told to me by friends over the years.  "I am not but i know I am"- Kathy Dickinson  "Fear knocked at the door, Faith answered and there was no one there."- Rhonda Sliger 

Hebrews 2: 14-18 "Because God's children are human beings- made of flesh and blood- the Son also became flesh and blood.  For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.  Only in this way could he set free all who lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.  We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham.  Therefore it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful high priest before God.  Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.  Since He himself has gone through suffering and testing he is able to help us when we are being tested."  
Our Savior can relate to our struggles.  


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Saturday, May 2, 2015

It took 15 minutes

This was something that happened this past week while i was at work.


  All it took was 15 minutes of watching the news in the break room on my lunch to ruin my good day I was having.  At this point what ruined it doesn't even matter because you are probably like me and you don't need more negativity.  I came back from my lunch and my anger was growing.  Sure I could have let it and exploded in some violent wrestling move in my mind on the next person I saw but I didn't.  I really needed God's word.  I didn't need a Coke and a smile.  Are you having a negative day maybe this will help you like it did me.  
  Titus 2:11-15  "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.  And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.  We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.  He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin to cleanse us and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.  You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them.  You have the authority to correct them when necessary so do not let anyone disregard what you say." 


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Friday, April 24, 2015

Fear of people.

"Cold, Evil, fear of these are the Dark Side."--Yoda  "Arisia Rrabb you have the ability to overcome great fear. Welcome to the Green Lantern Corps."  Both of these are quotes about fear and conquering it.  I used to fear what people thought about what I did or didn't do.  I would actually lay awake in bed trying to think and predict exactly what would happen in certain conversations.  We live in a society where we fear how we think people will perceive us based on how we look, talk or behave.  Take the fashion and advertising world for example.  If two women show up in the same place with the same dress they freak out about what people will say.  I often post comic book related things on my face book page and become afraid people will be offended.  I used to be very shy about meeting and talking to new people.  Again we're back to the fear of people.  I read this verse this week that floored me because I saw so much of my own fear in it.  Proverbs 29:15 "Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety."  Look again at the first phrase of that "A dangerous trap."  I'm a Star Wars fan and when I read the word trap i see mentally that famous scene in Return of the Jedi where squadrons of spaceships are flying into a fully functional Death Star and Admiral Ackbar screams "It's a trap."  Fearing people is indeed a trap and it's easy to fall into.  I found myself in it 2 days ago when I was attacked online for voicing my opinion on how to write a good story.  If you read Exodus 3-4 you see Moses over and over telling God why he's afraid of people even to the point of begging God to let Aaron be his mouthpiece in front of Pharaoh.  Also check out Judges 6-7 Gideon is afraid to trust people and to trust God to deliver the Israelis from the land of Midian with only 300 men.  Here's something I always found weird.  As kids we make friends with anybody and for the most part all of us are pretty fearless.  Then those teenage and college years pretty much ruin it for us.  If you suffer from a fear of people like I have I've got some hope for you.  If you're a follower of God I want to show you my favorite verse.  Psalms 18:19 "He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because he delights in me."  Also look at Matthew 10:26-31 "But don't be afraid of those who threaten you.  For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.  What I tell you now in the darkness shout abroad when daybreak comes.  What I whisper in your ear shout from the house tops for all to hear!  Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul.  Fear only God who can destroy both body and soul in hell.  What is the price of two sparrows-- one copper coin?  But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid: you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows." I'd like you to also look at Romans 8:31 the next time you are near the dangerous trap of fearing people.  "What shall we say about such wonderful things as these"  If God is for us, who can ever be against us."  Next time you start fearing people I want you to follow 1 Peter 5:7 "Give all your worries and cares to God for he cares about you."  As I bring this study to a close I want to draw your attention to 2 passages that though you have read them many times I hope they become real to you.  2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline."  As we cast our cares on God because he cares for us remember this: Hebrews 4:16 "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."  












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