Some People Do...Some People Don't.

Some people do...some people don’t

 (believe in a Designer, that is)

I had an eye appointment today. Because of my diabetes, at least once a year, I have to have my eyes dilated so my eye doc can see what kind of damage has been done to the blood vessels. I had two very interesting conversations during my time at the VA clinic. The first one was with a man about my age who was sitting in the waiting room with dilated eyes also. He was funny and we had a lengthy conversation about the seeming inability of males and females to communicate in a way which makes life easy.

He said a few things which surprised me. He said most men are dumb and can't really communicate. He also told me that the reason that a man I know asks me about a million times THE EXACT SAME QUESTION OVER AND OVER AGAIN is because he is concerned that he doesn't remember things properly. They don't trust themselves to remember correctly. They think they are dumb as sticks. Okay, so maybe I should consider this view point because what I've been thinking is that he doesn't trust me since he continues to ask me if I'm still going to do the things I gave my word I would do. This isn't about me. This is about him. To be honest, it's relieving to be reminded that some things just really DON'T have anything to do with me. One of another interesting points of our conversation began when an aspect of Christianity came up. He said two things that kind of shocked me and knocked out any minor attraction that was birthed when he made me laugh. He said that a) it was completely normal for a girlfriend to get mad and accuse her boyfriend of sleeping with another woman just because the other woman and the boyfriend sometimes spent time in the same home working on a common project. I was flabbergasted! No, it's not!!! Cheating and adultery are not and should not be "regular" parts of a relationship. That just disgusted me.

And b) he said that following the rules of the Bible is ridiculous. More flabbergation (is that a word?  I don't think it is, but I like it, so I think I'll just keep it!!) occurred. I know I shouldn't be surprised that there are people in the world who are totally okay with immorality, but it still bugs me a bit.

Eventually, I had to leave him to go see my doctor with whom I had a more encouraging conversation. Of course, he checked my eyes...found out my eyes were better. I can't remember how it came up, but we were talking about the eye and how it works. My doc made the comment, "Well, the Designer made us that way...." He let his comment drop off, but I looked up with a smile on my face as I responded to him. "I LOVE the Designer!!" I said vehemently. I was so in awe that someone would openly discuss God in a positive way! It made me very happy. We discussed it for a few more moments. We discussed how amazing the body is and how it is so TOTALLY obvious that there HAS to have been a Designer. We discussed how amazing it was that the "scientists" think we're the ignorant ones. Seriously, I saw a film recently wherein a very popular and respected "anti-creationist" put for the idea that our earth might have been "seeded" by an extraterrestrial population. I thought to myself..uuuuhhhmmmmmm, a) that is even a FARTHER reach than a Designer created us, and b) how did the seeding population come in to being? Wouldn't THEY have had to have been designed once upon a time, too?

We discussed the idea that thinking evolution (in the Darwinian sense) is true is about as ridiculous as the idea of putting all these varied pieces of plastic and metal near some dynamite, setting it off, and then seeing a shiny new Chevy truck sitting there when the smoke clears. I was pleased and surprised when he said "Well, that would be easier!" And he was so right. All the different ways each system, cell, organ works apart and together is so detailed, complex and amazing that there just is NO WAY that any really thinking person could believe that it could have just happened by chance. Anyway, it was a really interesting visit to the doctor and I'm glad it happened. Afterward, that cute guy at my bank, Olaf, kinda flirted with me a little. It's nice on my old woman ego to have guys 10-15 years younger with me flirting so much lately!

Anyway, that is enough for now. :)

love y'all!

Job's Wife

Just a comment:  Most of these blogs which I'm posting are ones which I'm transferring from a social media site which I no longer use.  I want to transfer anything which is important and/or sentimental and then close that page down completely.  Just so you know--I haven't been on a spiritual writing frenzy.  I wish, but I'm not that good! <3

Most of us have heard of Job and the many things he suffered. He was a well-to-do, godly man with many children and plenty of livestock (Job 1:1-3). Many articles have been written about Job, his actions, and his words. Not as many articles, however, have discussed his wife. When she is discussed at all, it is with a disapproving cluck of our tongues. She is considered to be an unfaithful woman by most people (Job 2:9). I’m beginning to wonder if such an interpretation of her behavior is necessarily true.

It is never plainly stated, so we tend to brush over the fact that all the tragic circumstances through which Job suffered were experienced by his wife as well. She lost all of her ten children and most of her servants in freak accidents or during raids waged by other tribes of people (Job 1:14-19). Additionally, many thousand head of livestock were stolen or destroyed.

What we have here, then, is a woman who has had not only her family but also her security taken away from her instantaneously. Oxen, donkeys, and sheep – gone. Camels and servants – gone. All ten of the children she bore and raised – gone! Add to all of this tragic chaos the fact that her beloved husband, her provider and the father of her children, was suffering from numerous maladies and illnesses. Her world was completely and totally devastated. The rug was pulled right out from under her feet. If this series of tragedies had occurred to ANY of us, how many would have emerged on the other side of this tunnel unscathed spiritually?

It is obvious to all that Job’s wife was....well, a woman. It is well known that men and women were designed by God with certain general characteristics. One such characteristic given to us women is our ability to emotionally connect. We are the ones who raise the children a majority of the time. We spend our days teaching, playing and laughing with our children. We are the ones who would most likely connect emotionally with those who serve us, and we are the ones who, in many ways, depend on our husbands to provide us with food, shelter, and security. Now, taking all this into consideration, does it not seem possible that perhaps Job’s wife might have been suffering emotionally? Perchance she was depressed? How many of us might possibly be hard hit by circumstances like the ones she experienced? And how many of us have considered the idea that perhaps she needed some compassion and encouragement instead of judgment?

So, what does this mean to you and me?   How should this knowledge affect our actions?  Well, firstly, we might consider Job’s wife in a more positive light henceforth. After all, wasn’t she blessed twofold in the end, also? She was almost certainly the woman who provided Job with seven more sons and the three daughters who were internationally known for their beauty. Sometime during the course of time represented in those 42 chapters, she must have screwed her courage to the sticking place, gotten over her grief, and gotten on with life. Even though she wasn’t mentioned again, she obviously stuck it out because there she was, at the end, bearing Job more children.

Secondly, we shouldn’t be so quick to judge what is behind the actions of other people! During counseling sessions I’ve had, I often heard the words "Not everything is about you, Loralee. Sometimes, people have their own issues that guide their actions!!" The point here is this one: We cannot know the reasons someone is acting in a certain way. They might be struggling through circumstances which we have never imagined or experienced!! Could Job’s friends have really understood the pain and suffering that he and his wife were enduring? Can we really know and understand the motives behind the actions of our brethren? Can we really know what has influenced their thinking or action? No, usually, we cannot. So, how do we HELP our brethren who are obviously struggling with issues?

1) Head it off at the pass. It seems in today’s world, we are all so independent. We live our own lives and we don’t share with each other. I think getting to know our brethren is one very good method of solving the problem. We have to know what makes our friends tick. How can we do that without taking the time to actually get to know people? I’ve often heard it said, "A man won’t care what you know unless he knows you care!" In other words, some people won’t be willing to listen to you on issues of sin in their lives unless they know you have loved and cared about them every day up until this current one. If a virtual stranger comes up to them and starts railing on them, it won’t be received or even heeded as well as the good friend who sits down in the living room and says, "You know I love you, brother, and I’m concerned about you. Let’s talk."

2) Try the soft way first. What can it harm? When someone has finally confided in you, they’re probably feeling a little bit vulnerable. Blasting them is likely to cause more hurt than help. I don’t know about y’all, but I’d much rather hear my faults in a soft voice than in an angry one. If we’re tempted to take the tough road, it might be good to remember that old saying, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." We all have our own special brand of sin, you know. And we’re all just one step away from sitting down in our living room and hearing the words, "You know I love you, Loralee. I’m worried about you. Let’s talk." What I’m trying to say is: Show some compassion. Show some love. Show some gentleness. It is hard to be at the place where you have to admit sin, isn’t it? It is a very humbling experience. Let’s do our best not to make the situation harder.

3) Be a continual encourager to this person. We all know how hard it is to overcome sin in our lives. It is easier when we are surrounded by those who love us and who are continually spurring us on to love and good works (Heb 10:24). Don’t let’s be the one who allows someone fall through the cracks due to our negligence. Be that continual encourager!!

It sounds like a hard job to do, yeah? It is. And while we cannot, in the end, harbor the guilt for someone who chooses to continually sin without repenting, we CAN do our part by being a real part of their lives. We can strive to gently and kindly guide them. We can lovingly and constantly teach and encourage them so that when it’s all said and done, they also can enjoy the blessings of a life with God in it, both in this life (Job 42: 10-15) and in the one to come (Job 42: 16-17).

Really Forgetting What Lies Behind

On the day that I officially moved here to Buna, I began my day in another tiny town called Whitehouse. I stayed the night with a couple whom I adore, Lynn and Mary. As I was preparing to head out, Lynn and I were looking at a map, kinda making a strategy for my trip home. I was to head south to Ponta (pronounced Pon-tay, by the way) and then turn left on 204. On the way to Nacagdoches, I was to pass through two oddly named towns. The names of the towns? Reklaw and Sacul. Weird, yeah? According to "legend", the towns were named by former outlaws who wanted to be the opposite of what they used to be. Instead of naming the towns after their old outlaw selves, they named the towns the EXACT opposite of what they used to be. Former outlaw Walker named his town Reklaw and former outlaw Lucas named his town Sacul. I will put in an aside here. I looked online to confirm this story, but haven't found anything to accomplish that task yet.
Okay back to the point. If this story is true, then I kind of have to admire these two men. They endeavored wholeheartedly to forget what lay behind them and reached forward to what lay ahead of them (Phil. 3:13) They left behind what they'd known their whole lives--THEIR NAMES--in order to shed their old lives of sin. I wonder how many of us can say that we'd go to that length to get rid of our old sinful selves.

I'm not saying that we should change our names as Christians, but what I am saying that we should be TOTALLY dedicated to living a life which pleases our Lord, shouldn't we? I guess the question is: Do I? Do you?

Avoiding Fern and Wild Mushroom Salad

Have you ever considered--Dear Reader—the purpose of a garden? In my case, it is to nurture herbs and veggies and pretty little flowers so that I can eat 'em or smell ‘em or look at 'em. Sometimes, it is even all three. Each plant has an ultimate purpose to me, yeah? The basil, thyme, and mint will go into an omelet or on top of some chicken baking in the oven or into a gallon of freshly brewed iced tea. The Four O’clock, Hibiscus and yellow roses live to make me smile when I look at their beauty. (Yellow flowers are my favorite. They just make me happy, ya know?)

Each day, I nurture my garden. I water the plants at about the same time every day. I have chosen the evening because I want to allow the water I shower upon this foliage to be as useful as possible. Water is completely and totally necessary for the life of a plant. You cannot just throw the seeds on the dirt and never water them and then expect them to live and flourish, can ya? If--by some chance--they actually germinate, they will be tiny, weak, pale, little plants who don't produce much of any worth. Thatoutcome for my plants is in total opposition to the ultimate purpose I have for them. Therefore, I do what I can do to nurture them and to give them every opportunity to grow into what they can be--tall, green, beautiful plants from which I can harvest enjoyment.

While I water, I look in the dirt which surrounds my precious little plants to see if any weeds have popped up. When I first began noticing these nefarious, green beings, I wasn’t sure if I should pull them or not. Having never had a garden before, I wasn’t sure what the “purposed” plants ought to look like. What makes it worse is that these little sprouts coming up out of the ground are kind of pretty. I almost feel a little badly when I pull them out. Even the wild mushrooms provide tiny feelings up guilt when I wrench their roots out of the dirt. Those pests grow faster than anything else I know! If I don’t uproot them regularly, I may end up eating fern and wild mushroom salads for dinner at the end of the summer instead of tomatoes, zucchini, squash and cucumbers.For the very reason that I am certain I would hate a fern and mushroom salad, I daily spend several minutes of my garden time picking these annoying things out of the dirt and throwing them as far away from my plants as is possible. The deal about weeds is that they take some of the water and fertilizer and energy from the dirt. This energy is designed to be used by the plants to grow them into their ultimate purpose. It is really important for me to get those weeds outta there--cuz if I don't, the plants I WANT to grow into something tall and beautiful will stay small and weak and ugly. If I let the weeds grow, my precious plants will die eventually. So, I spend some of my time every day, digging up those cursed interlopers.

In the mornings, I go out to my garden to collect whatever herb I've decided I want to use in my breakfast omelet. While I'm there, I do a little bit more nurturing. Often I choose my omelet herb by noticing which herb needs to be thinned. Thinning the herbs is very important as it allows the remaining stems to grow larger and more useful. I'll have ya know that watching a plant whose leaves were tiny--say 1/8th of an inch--grow to 2 inches in length is really kind of rockin’ cool, ya know? When I see them grow because I took care of them, I feel accomplished. (I really like learning new things—and I especially like being good at said new things!) And, in the end, helping these herbs to grow helps me because I get larger herbs and more produce to use in my kitchen. When I nurture my plants, they nurture me. It is a lovely little symbiotic relationship.

After Bible class last night at Vidor, I began thinking about how our spiritual walk ought to be a lot like gardening. We should nurture ourselves in our walks with God. By daily communication with God, we are giving ourselves what we need to be as useful as we can to Him. We don’t really expect to rise up out of the waters of baptism fully grown and mature Christians, do we? We have to work diligently at growing, through study and prayer and good works. Daily—maybe even at the same time every day?—reading/studying/praying helps us grow. We won’t be pale imitations of Christ then. We’ll be bright and vibrant in the Lord. We won’t be weak Christians then. We’ll be full of strength and character and will be able to help ourselves overcome the trials, temptations, and tribulations of this life we live. We won’t be lacking in what we offer up as our produce. Instead, we will harvest the fruit of the Spirit—not only in ourselves, but also in other people. We then will fulfill this ultimate purpose God has for us. This will only happen, however, if we nurture this relationship we have with Him.

As I mentioned, in my physical garden, I work hard to keep the weeds out of the paths where my creations are growing. Spiritually speaking, we must take the weeds of sin out of our hearts and minds and fill them with something else more useful (Psalm 119:11). These spiritual weeds will choke us ‘til we die. Again the hard part about it all is that sometimes we can’t or won’t recognize these weeds as the sins they are. They’re too beautiful to be sins, aren’t they? Oh, but they ARE sins, Dear Reader. They are. We must learn to recognize our own sins and work diligently at weeding them out of our hearts and minds or—someday—we’ll be eating the spiritual equivalent of fern and wild mushroom salad. That’ll be one hot, wilted, nasty-tasting salad, y’all AND we’ll be eating it for eternity if we don’t keep ourselves as pure as we can.

In my physical garden, I thin out the plants nearly every day. In our spiritual lives, there will be times, during which we will have to put aside things we like—or even love—in order to walk on the path which will lead us to Heaven. It is all a matter of what is really more important to us. As a reader, I often find that I have to put the story I’m reading down and reach for my Bible. Reading in itself isn’t a sin, but forgetting to study in order to find out what happened when Constancy fell through the barn door into an underground cavern isn’t so good, yeah? Thinning out the things in our lives which distract us from growing is imperative to our continued growth as Christians.There is just no getting around the fact that we can’t do everything we want to do and still have our eyes on God. He has to get the best of us. Like the little stems in my garden, He has to get the best light and the most room in our lives.

It is hard to imagine myself as a little plot in God’s garden. But I am. And I—and you---must treat myself as a cherished plot of dirt whose only use is to grow fruit worthy of God’s admiration. The question—once again—is do I? And do you?

The Second Mile Christian

Yesterday, during the morning sermon, Jamie was discussing "the second-mile Christian." The basic idea he was trying to teach us was that of devotion and commitment to God. Most people are content to be just a "first-mile" Christian. They agree with the idea that there are actions which must be accomplished if we say we are Christians. "But" they will say, "I will only do exactly what is commanded of me and nothing more." This kind of attitude really concerns me. Is there really any "only" as a Christian?

There are two things I want you to consider, Dear Reader:

1. Consider the text where Jamie began--Matthew 5:40-42

"If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat, also.

Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of

you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you."

Did y'all notice that this verse wasn't just a suggestion? If we were doing a grammar lesson here, it would be pointed out that the phrase "(you) let him have your coat, also" is acommand. Interesting, yeah? Jamie is right about the idea that going the second mile is a sign of your commitment to God. If you're choosing to commit yourself fully to Christ--and I mean by that, to become a Christian--then you ought to always go the second mile--as a matter of course.

I've never understood why 20% of the people in the church do 80% of the work. It is usually said "tongue in cheek" but it is fully true in most cases. However, if every person who obeyed the Gospel went the second mile (as is commanded) then IMAGINE the work that could be done in spreading the border of God's kingdom?

2. Consider this Scripture: Matthew 22:36-39:

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And He said to him

'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,

and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second

is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Just a thought--The first part of the above Scripture is covered by what was said earlier, so let's address the second half. "The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Imagine if we treated everyone we ran across in the same self-preserving way that we treat ourselves. Imagine if we took care of the physical and emotional needs of our brothers and sisters--without hesitation. Imagine if we gave everyone else the same benefit of the doubt regarding their words and behavior that we give ourselves. Imagine if we did ALL of these things because that was part of what being a Christian was all about? Yeah--Imagine that!

Imagine this, also. I've said all that I have said and still haven't gotten down to the point I intended to make in this blog. It is a good thing I'm a woman and can't preach, yeah? I'd be making people mad all over the place for preaching too long. ;-P The main idea I wanted all of us to think about is this one: Is the second mile truly just an option for Christians who want to REALLY dedicate themselves to the service of God? OR, is the second mile what is EXPECTED of us by God? I truly believe that the second mile is a command. God expects us to do everything and anything we can to help our fellow human beings. I guess the question is: Do I? Do you?

Some thoughts on one of the purposes of the four accounts of the Gospel

I was writing a response to a fella on one of the church of Christ singles groups on FB.  So, I didn't clean it up--just posted it basically as I wrote and posted it to him.  It is disconcerting when people go out of their ways to twist the truth.  This gentleman firmly believed ( because he was divorced for an unscriptural reason) that the writings in the four accounts of the Gospel were Old Testament teachings and--therefore--no applicable to Christians today.  Hence, my comment which I'm sharing with y'all.

As always—I am calm and respectful whilst writing this note.

The following is generally considered to be true:

Matthew—written to a Jewish audience in approx..  50-70 a.d.  Mark-written to Christians in approx. 55-70 a.d. Luke-written to Greeks most probably.  This is considered to be so because Luke is Greek and he uses language, etc. that would appeal to a Greek audience in approx. 63 a.d.or upwards. John-written to Gentiles probably before 70 a.d. as the destruction of the temple was not mentioned.

The book of Matthew for a Jewish readership. In explaining all the prophecies and how they were coming to fruition right before their eyes, Matthew was using symbolic/figurative blah blah blah language which only Jews would understand because they were very well versed in the Old Testament.  In Matthew 22, He was warning the Jews about what would happen if they rejected Him.  Why would He be warning them about their punishment if he wasn’t teaching them what they needed to know to avoid said punishment?

With every amount of respect due you, John, logic must prevail.  Why--in a time period of approximately 20-40 years after Christ died and the New Testament/The Kingdom of God/The Church were established—would these writers be writing these four accounts of the Gospel to these different recipients if the information wasn’t for them to use and follow NOW?    

And—just a thought, sir.  Why is it so unreasonable an idea that Jesus was LIVING in the Old Testament era, but teaching His audiences what they needed to know for the New Testament era which was very close to becoming reality.   What jobs have you ever had where the boss didn’t teach you what you needed to know before he put you to work?  Would it have been right and honorable for him to have NOT taught you what to expect and then to punish you for not doing what he wanted you to do or for doing what he didn’t want you to do?  It just wouldn’t have.  The four accounts of the Gospel were records of Jesus teaching people the new rules.

--Just something to consider.

Proposing to Speak

"If you propose to speak, always ask yourself, is it true? is it kind? is it necessary?" 

On my way to the doctor's office yesterday (It was just a regular check-up. Don’t worry.), something occurred to me. Then, last night--at Bible class--the theme re-surfaced.  It made me feel that I need to discuss it.

We--as Christians--always claim to be these really loving people, yeah?  Sometimes, I wonder if we're really living up to our claims.  Tell me--how many times have you heard someone refer to Ellen Degeneres as Ellen Degenerate? Perhaps I am being a crazy liberal here (which I'm not, by the way), but how useful is it to call her names (or any other people who publicly advertise their sins)?  

It isn't--AT ALL!  

1)     It doesn't make us look like anything other than ungodly, hateful jerks which--at that moment--is EXACTLY what we are being.

2)     It certainly doesn't--in ANY way--help to compel her to repent of her sins and begin walking a life on the straight and narrow

3)     It is wrong in the sight of God.

Is Ellen Degeneres' behavior unacceptable according to biblical standards?  Yes, I believe it is. Does that mean she is less lovable to the people who love her?  Does it mean that she is less a human being? Does it mean she has fewer feelings which can be hurt by these ugly, hateful words?  No. No. and No.  

  

Here is something to ponder, y'all.  Do you think we are any less sinful than she is?  If you do, why don’t you pick up your Bible and peruse I John 1:8-10, huh?  "⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."  We may be saved right now, but we sin on a regular basis and we know it.  All sins are equal to God.  Our sins are just as ugly in God’s eyes as are Ellen’s.  

When those people who always talk during Bible class--not always with anything useful to say--talk, once again, should we REALLY be sighing loudly and telling them to shut-up under our breath, just loudly enough for the person next to us to laugh?  Really?  REALLY?  I just don't think so, y'all.

When we talk about the "less than exemplary" (we think, anyway) skills of a substitute preacher or song-leader, do we actually consider it useful dialogue?  Do we not consider what would happen if that guy's wife overheard us?  Was our gossiping really useful for either him or the church?  Why, No.  No it was not.  Why can't we just be happy someone wants to preach or lead singing?  Or if we JUST CAN'T handle it, why not offer to help him learn how to work up a sermon or go to his house and teach him music theory?  Or pay for singing lessons--if we think we can do such in a way which will not hurt his feelings or discourage him? 

Mike said last night he heard a member—at one time--called a lady who struggled with controlling her libido a whore at the top of his lungs in front of the entire congregation and then said, “Well, it is the truth. The Bible calls women like her whores!”   Did he think he was actually serving God in an appropriate manner at that moment?

God's Word says, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."  Do any of the above examples adhere to God's command given in Ephesian 4:29?  No.  No they do not.  We--as Christians--really MUST begin thinking about the way we speak and behave.  Clearly, I include myself in that admonition. We are supposed to be children of God, are we not? We are not better than anyone, but--instead--blessed beyond description because we are adopted sons.  It is disheartening that we don't act like we believe we are blessed.

How can we expect to change the world if the world sees us as cruel and hateful?  What is that quote?  Oh yeah. “A man won’t care what you know until he knows that you care.”  Calling Ellen cruel names or being hateful to  Mr. So and So who talks more than you do will not accomplish that goal at all.  It simply won’t.

Truly, I think that when we behave in the manner I described above and others like it, we ought to feel two things:

1) Strongly ashamed of ourselves.

2) Strongly compelled to participate in some introspection and make serious changes in our behavior.  God expects more from us than the above-mentioned examples.  The truth is that these things REALLY happened!  How sad!

Once again--“If you propose to speak, always ask yourself, is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?

Well, is it?

Just some food for though, y’all.