Monthly Archives: March 2008

Comformity Is Not Unity!

COMFORMITY BRINGS ACCEPTANCE NOT CONFIDENCE!

Because of the up-roar-ousley interesting political dialog going on in America we hear a lot about unity.  That bears a variety of meanings depending on where you come from–your grid or mind-set.

A great example of this is in the Christian Church.  As people disagreed in the past centuries,  denominations sprung up and now we have several thousand.  Differences in doctrine create a new agenda and most of us follow a leader, admiringly, agreeing with what is taught.  Each church or group has their own agenda and if we conform to that form or plan we are accepted.

I laughingly like to say we have also developed a Ken and Barbie Doll stereo type of what a Christian Believer should be.  Instead of Scripture being a blueprint for self-preservation by renewing our mind with ‘sound wisdom’,  it can become a dogma we strive to live up to, attempting to become the Ken or Barbie  that is expected. 

I was complaining to the Lord one day about the divisions in the church, the disagreement, and how it upset me, because there are bigger fish to fry that issues on doctrine.  That sweet small voice I am privileged to hear responded, “You are complaining about the very freedom I died to give you!”   I quickly apologized, immediately getting the picture–with Jesus, Holy Spirit, God given free will we have the right to think for ourselves and make our own decisions.  

THE UNITY WE ALL NEED IS IN AGREEMENT OF THE SPIRIT NOT CONFORMITY OF THE SOUL!

In other words, it matters not whether I believe in dunking or sprinkling for baptism, we can all agree baptism is very important.  It is the Spirit behind what we do, not what we do.  Especially when it is a ‘ritual’ born out of tradition.  Tradition is important to build on or learn from, but not to mindlessly conform.

We cannot be Ken and Barbieand still believe we are created uniquely different–because we are.  We must find the gifts and talents we have, the desires of our heart and most of all learn to know God in our spirit, experientially, not just a text book relationship. 

The God-kind of confidence we need in this world (not self-confidence) is found in personal relationship of talking and learning about Jesus, the Man, the Holy Spirit and how much we are loved by our Heavenly Father.  The agreement we have with His ways will bring great confidence into our hearts of who we are as His children, not out of conformity to be accepted, but out of desire to follow Him because we are accepted.

Do we allow our children to express their differences or demand they conform to our desires?  Do we encourage those around us to be all they can be in any given direction or condemn them for not being what we would like them to be or what we think they should be?  How do we pray?  That our loved ones conform to a Christian Standard, our Political Leaders do what we want? Or can our prayer and desires  for our loved ones, our neighbors and our leaders–church or government–be to carry out the (Will) desires of God, being all they can be for the good of family, church and country? 

Well, I certainly have a constant battle to get judgment out of my heart and mind (I am really good at it–judgment that is), to listen to the Holy Spirit and focus on His desires for us, not my desires for me, or the world.  It is a battle but one worth fighting and only won with the help of the Holy Spirit.

May our unity come from agreement on ethical, moral issues; not from peer pressure, or polarization of political rhetoric. Rather may we led from spirit informed wisdom that brings love (wanting the best for everyone) and life ( the essence and persistence that creates only good).  Unity of Spirit,  agreement not conformity can change the world!

P S If you were kind enough to read this Blog and wonder how one has an experience with God, how one can be led by the Holy Spirit–it is simply done by asking Jesus into your heart, asking Him to become real to you, and asking the Holy Spirit to dwell within your spirit and lead and teach you all things!  Greatest decision you will ever make!

 

To Give Or Not To Give; It Is Your Money!

There is one very good reason to give–because you want to! 

What ever money we have is ours.  Ultimately everything belongs to God, however while we are on earth what we have, has been earned or given to us and it is ours.  We have the privilege of using it as we see fit.

I am a Junior Partner in the business of my soul, foremost my spiritual life, with the Holy Spirit as Senior Partner.  As Senior Partner I like to ask Him what I should give, when and how much, so we are in agreement.  Many times He will say ‘no’ to something I want to do, as He has another place for the money.  Sometimes He tells me to give when I hadn’t thought about it.  It is a great arrangement. 

When I am asked to give it is so easy to ask Him what to do.  And then be obedient.  If a voice tells me to give more than I have, that is probably not the Holy Spirit.  Many people do not ask or hear the Holy Spirit and are confused on how to give.  We all should develop (by practice) a  generous giving heart  and develop (expect and receive) a ‘listening ear’ for the Holy Spirit.  It may come as a thought, a voice or just an impression.  And, I have found it is immediate to the question.

Giving is a very smart thing to do, as it always comes back in one form or another.  The problem is, very rarely are we aware how we are being blessed because we expect it to come in dollars.  Where as, it may come in favor for a job,  help with a project,  gifts from neighbors,  discounts on items,  dinner or lunch with friends, and on and on.  But giving is reciprocal!

Giving a tithe (meaning 10%) has been argued for centuries I imagine–whether we should or should not give ten percent to our church.  In the Old Testament the eleven tribes of Israel took care of the Priests and Rabbis, shared their properties with them, etc.  The book of Malachi talks of robbing God when tithes and offerings are not given.  I personally believe that means we are not literally robbing God–because He doesn’t need the money–but we are robbing the ‘work’ of the Kingdom of God on earth. 

God uses men and women and their giving to bless others.  So when we don’t give we are in essence robbing ourselves.  It is character and nature of God to give and Jesus gaveHis life for the joy laid before Him of creating a way for our reconciliation with the Father and life eternal.

Malachi also says that when we give, God will pour out blessings from Heaven.  Some argue that is not for New Testament, New Covenant believers; they are not under the law.  Giving is a priceless principal, not a law.

To me the argument is mute.  The question is “Why Not?”  How can we maintain our churches, pay our workers, and give to poor if we don’t tithe? Whether we belong to a church or just attend, we are obliged to help with the rent, utilities, salaries and expenses.  The more we give the more they can do. 

We wouldn’t expect to go out to eat and not pay for the meal that covers all of the above items for the business.  We don’t attend an athletic game of any importance without paying well for the privilege.  Solomon tells us in the book of Ecclesiastes, money is the answer to all things.  Then we are warned that the love of money is evil. 

It has been my observation that when we have trouble giving our money there is a ‘love affair’ going on in our pocket book.  We don’t have to be rich to love money, many poor people love it as well, wanting it out of desperation.  Money is just a commodity to make other things possible, extremely important, to use not to ‘keep’ but to invest.

Invest in ourselves,  paying bills, investing in our future, and absolutely invest our tithe to churches and our offerings to those who help, teach or encourage us where ever they may be.  If we live month to month we give only what we can without guilt or shame.  Giving  when we can, knowing that God blesses those who love and follow Him.

My prayer is for more to give, Lord, more, more more!  May you be blessed with more as well! And, we all give from happy heart–appreciating the system  of reward and good health God has set in place–It is more blessed to give than to receive!

My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken me?

This is a statement out of the Book of Matthew in the Bible, about which must have been taught.  It was the ninth hour of Jesus’ crucifiction when He uttered the words above.  This is also the first line of Psalms 22 written  hundreds of years before by King David.

Was Jesus quoting that verse.  Many say he quoted the whole Psalm.  I would like to respectfully share my feelings about this verse out of Scripture.   From the moment in the garden that Jesus said “Thy will be done.” all the sins of world began to fall on Him.  All the things that men tried to do to Him before that came to naught because He was sinless.  My sins and yours and all those through history have received forgiveness if we choose to receive His gift–of His brutal beatings, the mockery he endured, the humiliation and abuse was all for mankind, as the heart of His Heavenly Father was broken, yet committed to John 3:16, that all the world would be saved.

I come out a very broken past, much sin, and I know what it is like to feel alone and to have no one.   To have guilt and shame and no understanding of how to rid my soul of it’s torment.  Oh, I was normal on the outside, but felt totally forsaken inside much of the time.  I learned late in my life that I could have a personal relationship with Jesus, with God, Himself and enjoy the presence of the Holy Spirit at all times.  However, there are times when I feel forsaken when my lack of faith, or worry or agreement with the world that evil is more powerful than His ability to change it.  But, thank God those times are short and I again feel His presence, His love.

When we are full of the things of the world we feel forsaken, even though the Lord promises over and over He will never leave or forsake us.  Jesus knew that!  But, overwhelmed with the sin of the world Jesus felt forsaken.  And, why wouldn’t He?  He had to suffer all that we suffer, so that when Jesus said it was finished, it was finished!

Such good and wonderful news, He never does forsake us.  However, we need to remember we must accept Jesus into our hearts, that is the Divine Key to freedom and relationship with the Almighty.  When I feel forsaken, I ask myself do I need to change something in my life (repent); do I need to forgive someone; then just to praise and worship until the wall I have built in my mind is gone.

There is so much in the story of Jesus on this Easter weekend.  Like our Heavenly Father we would all like to see the world saved and enjoy His awesome presence.  There are times when illness and pain will block our awarness of Him, but we need to live out of our spirit with Him regardless of our physical condition.  Not alway easy, but always rewarding and encouraging.  May the Grace of His unmerited favor give all of us the ability to have His faith in any condition!

Why African American?

I have been wanting to know, or I should say understand, for years why black people born in America want to be called African American?  And, often it seems it is used in context with anger and an adamant view that we should sit up and take notice of who they are.

Whether it is Oprah or Obama or Rev. Wright, Jr. using the term, what is the point?

If this is truly a mark of pride for their heritage would they not want to use it with gladness and joy so that we could take notice and appreciate that with them.  But it seems it is to remind us of what they have suffered and how badly they were treated and are being treated (Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.).

As a Christian I use the ‘label’ of Christian only to share some good news.  Maybe some use it to to declare that they are right and others are not, but that is not smart or wise, or Christian. 

I come from a wild and woolly background of Irish (who had their pain and struggles when they came to America), English, Quaker Dutch, and oh, yes, 1/8 American Indian (who were treated badly, lied to, and oppressed).   Still I have yet to understand how I can undo the wrongs by claiming my heritage in a strong sit up and take notice  attitude of either superiority or to declare to the world over and over, my ancestors were victims!

People come to American for the ‘American Dream’ and it has and always will require personal effort, determination and a winning attitude–then sometimes life is just mediocre.  As far as I can see, it is still better than 2/3 of the world.  The dream certainly won’t become reality from from anger, resentment and hostility.

Labels lock people into a stereo-type no one needs.  I heard about dysfunctional families until I wanted to throw up.  Thank God, that has quieted down.  We are all dysfunctional in some area, and hopefully working to correct what we can.

Should we ever forget the atrocities of the past, whether they are African slaves, or Jewish persecution and slaughter, or American Indian betrayal?  Of course not, we need to be aware of history and absolutely determined not to allow history to repeat itself.

At this very second people are being crucified in some form, and persecuted as Christians all over the world.  Men, women and children are being slaughtered and used as slaves in Africa, and brutal wars fought over the labels of  being in one tribe or another.

Could we not just be Americans?  Forgiving and repenting of judgment and striving for a better world.  Not just America, but a better world?  How about making efforts to rebuild families and instill confidence in our children, black, white or any other color,  of respect for each other and a love for our country?  I know we can, it is a decision each of us must make.

However I am left with the same question:

Why African American?

Obama Tries To Make Things Wright!

Lots of sizzle in politics this year!  And, far from boring….I find myself wondering, ‘What’s next?’  What is the moral of this story of Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright, Jr.?

Be careful who you hang out with!

Normally that would not be a question about where we go to church, or would it?  I have found in attending church it took months before I had some insight into what doctrine was being taught,  even though every church has a mission statement.  All too often, in my opinion, and this is my blog,  Men and Women of God teach more on social ills, moral sins and our need to be Wright, oh I meant right and Holy instead of how Holy, Right and Powerful God is.  How wonderful it would be if we were taught to take the place, authority and power God intended, not lectures on how bad we are–shucks we know that.

Reverend Wright, Jr. has a very interesting name.  Jeremiah the name of an Old Testament Prophet and Wright,  are good foundations for a man to build on, especially a man in leadership in the church.  Unfortunately most of America and the world will remember his loud screaming voice (which I found hard to understand) cursing the country in which he has the freedom to do so.

Obama is caught in lime light of his association of several men of question to those of us who value the freedom and opportunity we enjoy in America, both Black and White….and Hispanic….and on and on.  There have been so many injustices in the past for the Blacks, the Jews, the Indians, the Italians and the Irish….on and on.  There is no way to make it right, but we could sure prevent more of it with some tolerance and good sense. 

I have always thought if I were Muslim or Buddhist I would want Christians in office to maintain the Christian idea that all men are free to worship as they choose.  What a naive idea right?  God gives us free will and let’s us choose, so I vote with Him.  And, will fight to keep that right, that I  surely  do not see perpetuated through out the world.

Reverend Wright, Jr. needs a vacation and time to remember God is a God of love, kindness and mercy.  Not just Black Americans but all people need to know the power of God available through prayer….the power of God through His Son Jesus….the power of forgiveness to heal and solve problems.  The very power we enjoy because of the events we celebrate this coming Easter Sunday.

Barack Obama needs to have a ‘wisdom’ check on his friends and associates.  How will he pick his running mate?  How will he pick his cabinet?  Will it be someone he has known for  years but didn’t know they had anger and hate for the very country he is passionately wanting to serve?  Is he or Hillary, or John a good judge of character to rule and rein in this country?  Oh, I meant serve in this country.

This is not only true for Obama but all of us.  Who do we associate with?  Are we judged, trusted or criticized by our associates?  It is one thing to pray and want the best for people but quite another to include them in our ‘inner circle’ of relationships.  And I would say a man who baptizes you, marries you and preaches to you for 20 years would become transparent enough to know what he believes and stands for.

May God help them, help us to keep our eyes open, our hearts guarded and move with compassion and mercy to whatever we are called as individual to do!  And, most passionately I declare,  GOD BLESS AMERICA!