How do I love Thee?

There are some wonderful stories about how a wealthy man seeks after a wife, but wants to be sure that he is loved because of who he is and not his money (Coming to America (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094898/) . At some point my friends would laugh and say, “who cares, you got the girl.” I guess that is true except that he was not after a girl, he was after love. Girls, available because of money, are not a sure bet, as betting goes. Nothing is sure, but there is always someone with more money and then where would the girl go; follow the money. The one sure thing is that you are you, and as unique as a fingerprint. You stay even if the money goes, or for that matter even if the entire economy fails. Playing a pauper to examine the sincerity of a prospective love is another old story, told in many different ways.

I fell in love with my Savior at a young age. There was a real force telling me, that what I knew of Jesus, was just fantasy (schools, today’s philosophy, etc.) Many years went by with me not paying much attention to right and wrong, just whatever felt good. Finally I came to my senses with the help of people who were not afraid of the Gospel and was welcomed once again back home. My Father in heaven, YHWH, waiting for me with open arms (Hmmm.. another old story?) No strings attached.

I was soon introduced to the prosperity gospel. Even though I am prosperous in many ways, I began to feel that I was missing something. I began to look for riches that would testify of the hand of God in my life. I know that it must sound reasonable to some of you. Even though prosperity is something that the Lord wants for His children, it really can not be the focus of your relationship with Him.

Like the man searching out for a wife that will love him, so seeks the Lord for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. The time (if there is any time in eternity) God and His beloved will spend together is more than a lifetime. At some point I realized my error of focus. Oh, how I insulted God by basing things from the earth (which are not eternal)as markers of my relationship with Him.

When all is taken away, do you love God? Is He what you are after? Are there any strings attached? These were, and are questions I ask myself often because I dare not hurt the One I love.
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 13:15) and praise Him (Ps 71:14)!

Old story? Maybe.

Everything seems to be going so well. People chasing me are far behind. The legs are holding up good. My breathing is under control, considering. No hills on the horizon. Got it made.

BAM!

What’s that?

THE RED SEA?

OH NO!

No place to go. I’m trapped, can’t go back, too far to swim across (wish I had taken “Water Walking 101”).

You guessed it, I was on my way out from the bondage of sin, being led by the Word of God, doing what I was supposed to and still ended up stuck on the shores of the Red Sea.

Does red have some significance? Never mind.

That trapped feeling is something I think many of us have in common.

Somehow, this shore shows up in my travels more often than I like to admit. Hmmm… Like the one I see now. I’ve been here before. Yes. The last time, I built my house just over the hill. God has been holding my enemies at bay (God is so patient). I became content to live on the shore of the sea that God wanted me to cross. The time has come once again for me to choose. Do I trust God or believe what I see as an impossible situation and let it remain impossible. There really is only one answer. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Exd&c=14&v=1&t=KJV#comm/15

Feeling trapped? You’re not the first. Choose wisely. The map is the same (some names were changed) and so are the directions.

Old story?

You think?

HAPPY FATHER DAY

Here we go. Let’s take a trip through “Praise Land,”

Gotta start somewhere. Heb. 11:6

Believe there’s one true God?

Saved by grace and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God. Eph 2:8

Jesus is that gift. Rom 6:23

Believe it?

God cares for you. Mat 10:29

Believe it? Sounds like you have faith. Shall we continue?

Is it blasphemy to think of God the Father as yours? Rom 8:15, Gal 4:6

Easton's Bible Dictionary·

Abba - This Syriac or Chaldee word is found three times in the New Testament (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6), and in each case is followed by its Greek equivalent, which is translated "father." It is a term expressing warm affection and filial confidence.

You are an heir with Jesus (Rom 8:17). Strange as it may sound in your ears, the same book that pointed you to the Savior in which you believe, points to the fact that you are in the Family. That is the I AM Fam. You’ve got clout now. Use it to honor your adopted Family. Pray for others. Make Dad smile. Introduce the rest of your prospective Family to your Father. Be a witness for what has been done for you. Be the man. Man don’t you get it?

Who’s your Daddy!

BELIEVE IT!!

PARTY TONIGHT(well soon)

I live and farm on a big estate. The owner is throwing a big party. Over the last several years, I have become close friends with the boss’s son (I’m really in good). He asked me to come to the party and if I wanted to bring others with me, that would be OK. I can bring as many as I want. This party is going to be huge. The owner wants it to be the best and has not spared any expense. He is not even willing to put a date on the party until there are enough people coming (I’d like to know who he’s waiting for). Anyway, if you know who the holdout is, tell him for me that it’s on. I’ve been told that my boss has been waiting a long time and that many people are not interested in coming or have some lame excuse, like work. I wouldn’t turn down free tickets to Disney (well maybe) but this, no way. Yeah, I said FREE. The boss has covered all the costs. Hey, you might even know my boss, if not, I can introduce you. He’s a real nice guy when you get to know him. So, unless you get a better offer (check the fine print) we’ll hook up. I should have more details in my next blog about the kick-off time. Details are getting finalized more every day.
YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!!

For the Record

When I first became a Christian, there was great excitement. Great expectation! Something’s coming; something good, if I can wait (it wasn’t Maria). Ah, there was a song in my heart. I was in love with my Savior! I just could not get enough!

Now I needed to hook up with some other believers to get on the “Praise Train,” and praise Him (no not “Soul Train”). Now that I was amongst people (not just me and Jesus), I had to watch my rep (I thought); Be cool, don’t act the fool, don’t embarrass yourself by raising your hands and for crying out loud please, don’t start swaying to the music.

Thank God for Bible study! King David (a man after God’s own heart) caught some flack from his wife about the way he was praising the Lord (2Sa 6:20). You see, that’s what I was trying to avoid. Unfortunately, she was not blessed for her point of view (2Sa 6:23). Should I have been concerned, when it was time to praise God (amongst worshiping believers), that I looked stupid (sorry Pancho) in someone’s eyes. Well, if God is God, WE SHOULD PRAISE HIM!!! Watch out! If the rocks in your yard start to praise God it’ll freak out the neighbors (Luke 19:40).

The truth is I do sing and dance. I jump and holler at sports events (usually not too worried about how it looks). Never, during worship, do I sing for myself or am being moved, merely because of the quality of the music. If someone is watching, my hands are raised and my feet move; praising Christ, I am. Let the scoffers bring it to the Great I Am about my foolishness. There is no mistake and for the record; David, I’m with you (Psalm 134:2).

My Hero

When I was young I would hear men say “I’m waiting for my ship to come in,” usually with a beer in hand. Today gambling is state-run and people have a dollar and a dream. The connection is the same as always, hope for something to come and significantly change one's circumstances. Usually the ship never docked, the dollar went to the state and the dream to some smiling fellow (who usually went bankrupt soon after).

This hope is in all of us. It is the desire to be rescued, usually from whatever doesn’t seem to be working for us. We need to be rescued from our own selves. Eventually, nothing satisfies (if we get the chance to experience what we thought would). Then where does a person go?

Don’t wait too long before you recognize your desire for rescue. It is the most real thing that you can understand. God (YHWH) sent Jesus to do just that, rescue all of us. If you feel like you’re drowning in fear or sorrow, get a hold of the Life Preserver thrown your way. Let Him save you. Take hold of Him and don’t let go. He is strong and able to save. You already know you need saving and there’s no one better than the Savior (Jesus) to do just that.

What do you have to lose?

Nothing New

Home is where you hope you'll find safety and peace. History has left bread crumbs for you to follow your way home. God (YHWH) has left you the path if you choose, His name is Jesus and His witness is History which is HIS story. It's simple, God has been calling you for a long time. The proof of His love for you is in His patience and careful planning of the breadcrumbs, not just for you and not only for the Jewish people, but the nations (the gentiles) God has a home for us all through the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus).

First Things

First things first, I am praising God (Jesus) with my internet voice.

I remind myself that I can face the day because of Him. I am more than able..... because of Him. I will trust Him.

Thank you Lord for seeking me out.

I'm yours.

All aboard!

Passenger gets on a plane, destination (?), pilot (somebody) and arrive safely. Can the passenger take credit for that technology or the skill of the pilot? You are where (earth)? Got here on your own? Where are you going? You can’t stay here. The plane may leave sooner than you think.

There is hope if your thinking.

Hope Complete

When the doorway to heaven is opening for someone, there are smiles and tears. Silence fits well in the space between;
Till we meet again.