Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!

I looked in the mirror this morning. I actually looked scary. Long night. Not enough sleep. Too much gray hair and a few bags under my eyes. Aging is a normal part of life but in our culture it is frowned upon and something to fight. Creams, potions, lotions, botox, and frownies (tape for your face so you don’t wrinkle while you sleep).  We can’t really stop our bodies from aging. The one thing we can hope for is that we have grown older and more mature in wisdom.
“Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

When I was younger I believed people were either 100% right or 100% wrong. If you thought like me you were right and if not then ,yes you guessed it, you fell into the wrong category. Sounds funny but you and I both know people who grow old who still have that mindset.
“He who trusts in himself is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” Proverbs 28:26

I have been around long enough to watch the Christian pendulum swing. Usually from one extreme to the other. Younger folks thinking they are coming up with a new thought that I remember from 20 years ago. But it is wonderful they are interested. It takes extreme movements to make small changes. Hopefully the plumb line will always be the Bible.
"The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever”. Isaiah 40:8

There was a swing from legalism (knowing all the rules and doing nothing and being proud about it) to living out the bible but maybe not knowing exactly what it says. Just knowing what someone says it says. Factions of people got tired of hearing Christians speak about it but not living it out. The church got a bad reputation for housing hypocrites. So the “let’s be an authentic Christian” movement began. Doesn’t that mean REAL? That sounds nice! Real is good.
“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22

If you compare the Christian live to our body you could use the eating and exercising example. If all we do is eat then we would die. If all we do is exercise without food we would die. It is the same in the Christian life spiritually speaking. It takes biblical knowledge and living it out to be all Christ desires us to be. To bring Him glory. Not puff up ourselves. Some teachers are experts in teaching the scriptures some are experts in teaching us how to live it out in our lives. We are responsible for learning on our own also. All is necessary! All is good!

Back to my percentage rule, I have learned that if I want to learn I must be open. Since most people (myself included) are about 70% right and 30% wrong or vice versa, (rough estimate for the example) then everyone has something they can teach me. I am talking about bible believing spirit filled Christians not some Hindu/Buddhist spiritualist. I do stay away from cultic teachers. If you know the real thing you will recognize the false. You don’t need to study the false teachings.. It is a trap to get you off focus in the name of knowing what we are up against. We already know what we are up against. DECEIT! It is time wasted you could be spending in the true Word of God.
“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
from men whose words are perverse”, Proverbs 2:12

Anyway, I might talk/read/listen to someone who has a small percent of correctness but it might fill up the percentage of the wrong the person before them taught me. Evidentially, I will get the whole truth and grow and mature. Years ago when I heard someone say something I knew was incorrect,  I never listened to them again. My loss. I probably missed out. Remember no one is ever 100% correct. I try to be open enough to learn but not so open my brains fall out.
“Turn your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding”, Proverbs 2:2

As the body of Christ when we fellowship and share what we have learned in love we can enlighten each other to be stronger than we could be alone. Together we could be 100% God’s plan for the church.

Bottom line is if accurate scripture is being consumed and being exercised out in our lives we will live out our purpose and the world will see Jesus in action in our day.

From a Shaker Song

'Tis The Gift To Be Simple,'Tis The Gift To Be Free. 'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be and when we find ourselves in the place just right 'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

Maybe life isn't suppose to be complicated. There is freedom in simple.

Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

He Has The Whole World In His Hands

I am thankful God made each of us different. Unique. What a boring world it would be if we were all the same. We are all created for a purpose. Each of our purposes is as different as our personalities but all of us are similar in our design to worship our Creator. Some have found the Savior and the rest are still searching trying to fill that void place that only God can fill. All Christians are called to share the Gospel. The Gospel is the basis for all we do. All buildings, programs, activities, projects, mission work, food/clothes closets, etc. are for the purpose of reaching people with the Good News.

Today my concern is over reverse prejudice/discrimination. I am pondering this because of several conversations and observations I have had over the last several years. I am also pondering my own intentions as well.

The Lord usually creates situations around me to reveal faulty thinking I have in my own life by drawing my attention to it in others. By the time I get really frustrated I realize I need to check myself and see if there are any ungodly thoughts/ways on my part.

I listen to Mac Brunson on Sunday nights. One night in particular he was talking about how people seem to only want to minister to the poor and when we talk about reaching the rich people others seem to think you are only after their money or that you think they are more important. Some think the wealthier don’t need any help. I am thinking that is reverse prejudice/discrimination. Rich people are just as lost as poor people. They are also probably harder to reach because of their self suffiency. There are many needs to be met not just physical ones. It is easier to meet physical needs than emotional needs. It is easier to feed and clothe someone than to heal a broken heart or relieve a soul that is stressed to the point of giving up on life. All humans have the same basic emotional needs. Whether rich or poor all of us have needs. In our mission to meet these needs we must always share the Gospel. Things on earth are temporary so we must make sure we share how to have eternal life. 1 Cor. 7:31b(NIV) For this world in its present form is passing away.


The harvest is ripe regardless of race, status, or economical standing. I am thankful God calls each person to the area they are best equipped to do effective ministry. God looks on the hearts of all men and knows their motives. The motivation is more important than the method. We tend to focus on the method and believe our own is the best and try to force it on others. God can lead each person to the method that is the best way for them to serve Him.

I am also beginning to wonder if pride is an issue. Like reaching and ministering to the poor and needy makes you more holy. I of all people want to help the downtrodden. I do not consider myself privileged in any way. I see myself as rich with many blessings. Material processions do not determine the value of the character of a person. I strive to see all people the same. My prayer is to see others as God sees them. It is a challenge.

1 Tim. 4:10 (NIV) (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men.


My heart and conviction is to help whoever is in need (physically, emotionally, and spiritually). So as you go out and serve the Lord in the area you feel God has called you to, just be careful you are not critical of those who wish to reach the whole world (rich and poor) with the Gospel in a different way. God sees us all the same. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. Just a thought!

God gave them a king!

Old Testament history has taught us that God blessed and protected his people over and over and they were never content. They wanted a king 1 Samuel 8:22 (NASB-U) The Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice and appoint them a king." So Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city." Go to Samuel and read the story it is very interesting.

People turned from God and followed after idols. They wanted to be like the other countries. They exchanged the truth for a lie. God finally gave them what they wanted. The things they wanted led them into slavery and misery. Then they began to turn back to God and beg for his mercy. That is my prayer for us today. I pray God has allowed these current events to be the catalyst to bring people back to Him.

2 Tim. 3:2-4 (NIV) But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [4] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

America has been a great country. I believe it has been great because of godly men who pursued to design a nation with God at the core. The men who laid the foundation of our country were seeking to build a nation with godly biblical principles. God Blessed America! It has been an awesome nation. God’s protection and blessings have been on our great land for many years. God never leaves us….We leave Him.

The moral foundation ran deep into our families, churches, schools, and businesses. They never dreamed of asking people to tolerate blatant repulsive sin in their lives. Instead people prayed and worked hard on family values and workplace ethics.

So what happened? First people began to love sin more than God. They couldn’t continue to stand under the conviction they were feeling so they started screaming tolerance. Anyone speaking the truth isn’t tolerated. By the way, the tolerance doesn’t go both ways.

People began abusing their freedom of speech and the right to express themselves artistically. That right was used to promote their agenda of sin which has led to the downfall of the culture our forefathers had carefully laid out for us. We are no longer a God fearing nation.

Somewhere in the middle of all this greed, drugs, porn, pedophilia and other destructive behaviors have become readily available and acceptable. Adults love these things more than their own children, leading to the deterioration of the family. Just watch the news. The state of our children is alarming. Children are being bombarded with media input promoting vile and destructive behaviors.

Of course the freedom of expression is said to be more important than respecting the innocence of our children and that people shouldn’t watch it if they don’t like it. Tell that to a 10 year boy who is left home alone day and night. I don’t have to describe anymore of this to you. You know what I am talking about. I am sure I don’t even know the worst of it and really don’t think my heart could take it.

So what happened to the church? Where did it get lost in all this? Why didn’t it fight? Why is the world converting more to the dark side than we as Christians are to the LIGHT?

In my past 32 years of being a wife of a minister, I can say I have seen a lot that would make you wonder if people even know why they are at church and who they serve? Internal fighting has led many people to leave traditional churches. Internal fighting over power and material issues has turned people off to the things of God. Why would anyone turn to the church for help? They are busy with their own issues. Pastors stay busy trying to keep disgruntled church members at bay.

I am pleased to say this has been changing over the last few years. I am so thankful for the men and women with the courage to stand up for TRUTH. It is happening all over this country. Praise be to God for this. It is just beginning.

Then you have the commercialization and marketing of Jesus as some type of business. Conferences, coaching seminars, how to grow your church books and every other kind of book you can think of. We have more Christian material than ever and less implementation of Christian living. Maybe we all need to get our heads out of Christian books and into the Bible. Then share with others what we know about Him instead of being puffed up with information. I love reading books and read many per year. But there should be some results to all this input or it is wasting precious time.

Some ministers are so busy trying to be culturally cool that they have had little impact on the culture.. If we look too much like the world why would anyone think we are offering them anything different? They are already drowning in a sea of entertainment and technology. It isn’t giving them hope. We have the message. It is great to deliver that message in a creative way. The message is the focus not the way we package it.

Praise the Lord there are many ministers who are working feverishly to reach the lost. Many are not compromising or renaming and adjusting the Gospel to make it popular or comfortable to the world. Amazingly people are responding. The younger generation is being drawn to a more traditional approach. HHUMMM. Maybe we have underestimated them and their search for truth. They seem to be looking for something real and authentic that they can trust more than being entertained and hearing watered down theology.

So, now we have a king. He ran on the promise of rebuilding our country. He didn’t like the one we have. He promised to reshape our country. He ran on a national healthcare plan for us all. He told us exactly what he planned to do. He was very clear about this plan to socialize us. Our people elected him. He is doing what he said he would.

We are not a country who considers God in our plans anymore. We have turned to our own ways. Taken prayer out of everything but church and we don’t do much of it there either. We elected a leader who has no consideration or respect for our founding fathers and the Godly intend of our nation. Remember people loved him and elected him.

I sense we are heading to a bondage and slavery like we have never seen. I am praying that God will draw all his people to himself. I pray the church will wake up and take up the cross of Jesus and begin to share it like never before. The time is now. Things are changing fast. You never know how long you will have the freedom to share Christ. It isn’t all that popular now. But at least it isn’t illegal yet.

I am sounding the alarm. My soul is disturbed. I keep thinking what can I do? I am only one person. I believe we can pray and be vocal in the world around us. Matthew 10:7 (NASB-U) "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" As you go in your church, neighborhoods, and community live a life of integrity and speak to others about the love of God and how Christ came for them to save them.

The reason to share isn’t to grow a super big church or impress anyone, but to reach the lost and give hope to those who feel helpless and show them the way to eternal life.

Many believe a change in the White House will change things. I don’t think so. It could help for sure but we still have a sin sick nation. Rise up people of God. Take a stand for what is right. I love the quote,

In a world of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act. George Orwell

That is a shame but if that is what it takes then we will make people uncomfortable. We as Christians have been uncomfortable for along time.

You can make a difference. And no you will not be popular in this society. There is still time and there is still hope.

Alice to the Cheshire Cat

"Would you please tell me, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That all depends a good deal on where you want to go."
"I don't much care where....."
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go."
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Live by Faith and Not by Sight!

A Fable

Once there was an old man who lived in a tiny village. Although poor, he was envied by all, for he owned a beautiful white horse. Even the king coveted his treasure. A horse like this had never been seen before—such was its splendor, its majesty, its strength.

People offered fabulous prices for the steed, but the old man always refused. “This horse is not a horse to me,” he would tell them. “It is a person. How could you sell a person? He is a friend, not a possession. How could you sell a friend? The man was poor and the temptation was great. But he never sold the horse.

One morning he found that the horse was not in the stable. All the village came to see him. “You old fool, they scoffed, “we told you that someone would steal your horse. We warned you that you would be robbed. You are so poor, How could you ever hope to protect such a valuable animal? It would have been better to have sold him. You could have gotten whatever price you wanted. No amount would have been too high. Now the horse is gone, and you’ve been cursed with misfortune.”

The old man responded, “Don’t speak too quickly. Say only that the horse is not in the stable. That is all we know; the rest is judgment. If I’ve been cursed or not, how can you know? How can you judge?”

The people contested, “don’t make us out to be fools! We may not be philosophers, but great philosophy is not needed. The simple fact that your horse is gone is a curse.”

The old man spoke again. “All I know is that the stable is empty, and the horse is gone. The rest I don’t know. Whether it be a curse or a blessing, I can’t say. All we can see is a fragment. Who can say what will come next?”

The people of the village laughed. They thought that the man was crazy. They had always thought he was a fool; if he wasn’t, he would have sold the horse and lived off the money. But instead, he was poor woodcutter, an old man still cutting firewood and dragging it out of the forest and selling it. He lived hand to mouth in the misery of poverty. Now he had proven that he was, indeed, a fool.

After fifteen days, the horse returned. He hadn’t been stolen; he had run away into the forest. Not only had he returned, he had brought a dozen wild horses with him. Once again the village people gathered around the woodcutter and spoke. “old man, you were right and were wrong. What we thought was a curse was a blessing. Please forgive us.”

The man responded, “once again, you go too far. Say only that the horse is back. State only that a dozen horses returned with him, but don’t judge. How do you know if this is a blessing or not? You see only a fragment. Unless you know the whole story, how can you judge? You read only one page of a book. Can you judge the whole book? You read only one word of a phrase. Can you understand the entire phrase?
“Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. All you have is a fragment! Don’t say that this is a blessing. No one knows. I am content with what I know I am not perturbed by what I don’t”

“Maybe the old man is right, “they said to one another. So they said little but down deep, they knew he was wrong. They knew it was a blessing. Twelve wild horses had returned with one horse. With a little bit of work, the animals could be broken and trained and sold for much money.

The old man had a son, an only son. The young man began to break the wild horses. After few days, he fell from one of the horses and broke both legs. Once again the villagers gathered around the old man and cast their judgments.

“You were right,” they said. “You proved you were right. The dozen horses were not a blessing. They were a curse. Your only son has broken his legs, and now in your old age you have no one to help you. Now you are poorer than ever.”

The old man spoke again. “You people are obsessed with judging. Don’t go so far. Say only that my son broke his legs. Who knows if it is a blessing or a curse? No one knows. We only have a fragment. Life comes in fragments.”

It so happened that a few weeks later the country engaged in war against a neighboring country. All the young men of the village were required to join the army. Only the son of the old man was excluded, because he was injured. Once again the people gathered around the old man, crying and screaming because their sons had been taken. There was little chance that they would return. The enemy was strong, and the war would be a losing struggle. They would never see their sons again.

“You were right, old man,” they wept “God knows you were right. This proves it. Your son’s accident was a blessing. His legs may be broken, but a least he is with you. Our sons are gone forever.”

The old man spoke again. “It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. No one knows. Say only this: Your sons had to go to war, and mine did not. No one knows if it is a blessing or a curse. No one is wise enough to know. Only God knows.”

Taken from “The Eye of the Storm” by Max Lucado