Just in the shop

Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

It’s been a few weeks since I have felt compelled to write anything and even today I’m in a very awkward place in my mind.  But, at least, I’m compelled to share something.  I’m not sure what it is, though.  So, I leave it to God to guide my fingers and use His words.  I always pray for that before I start writing but, I need His guidance especially now.  Not just to share it with those who read it but, for me who writes it.  

We all have our ups and downs in our walk with Christ.  There are times where we feel like our cup is overflowing with blessing and times where we feel parched because it seems the cup is empty.  Now, we know (or at least we should) that the cup is not really empty.  God doesn’t put a cap on how many blessings He gives.  Some might say that if the blessings seem to run dry; we have strayed and become undeserving of any.  I, disagree, for the simple fact, we have always been undeserving even when our cup was overflowing.  Instead, I view this dry time as God performing “spiritual maintenance” in our lives.  Just like our vehicles, if we want them to continue to run like the day we bought it we have to do maintenance on them.  Fluids need changed, tires need air and sometimes certain parts have exceeded their usefulness and just need replaced with a new one.  Of course, while our car is in the shop we can’t drive it and so; it sits there while it is being worked on.  Our walk is always going to be full of peaks and valleys and I think that it is in those valleys that we are just in the shop so to speak.

I’ve been in what seems to be a valley for the past few months now.  There hasn’t been anything really specific to complain about; like I said before just been in an awkward place in my mind.  It has felt like I’ve been just going through the motions.  The fire I had when I first got saved was dwindling down to a flicker.  It felt like it had been months since a sermon had reached my soul.  But, God is always faithful.  He has been sure to keep spiritually strong influences around me to keep me company while my spirit is undergoing some maintenance.  He knew I was in need of some reassurance and so a couple weeks ago when I was just going through the motions and going to Bible study He put it on my pastor’s heart to talk about the peaks and valleys that we go through and how the valleys are just as important (if not more so) than the peaks.  He also pointed out that to get to the next peak we need to go through another valley.  When I heard those words, I was reminded of an old saying that my previous pastor said for times like this: “Smooth seas never make good sailors.”  So, what my pastor was saying started to really resonate in me.  I’m sure I am not the only that has been listening to a sermon and thought, “This seems to be meant for me.”  Guess what?  Sometimes it is for you.  God is just using the speaker to tell you the message He has for you.  Praise God my pastor is interested in God’s will and not his own.

It is only when you combine knowledge with experience do you get wisdom.  And, with wisdom comes strength.  If this is true, then when I climb out of this valley, I will have the wisdom and the strength to get out of the next one. So, instead of giving me a blessing that is temporary, it is permanent.  My cup of blessings isn’t dry; God is giving me one that not only has unlimited refills but has the ability to be upgraded to a bigger cup.  I don’t know how long I will be in these rough seas but now I know God is not letting me drown; He is teaching me to swim.

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Don't blame me

When I first began my walk with Christ and really started getting into the Word, my eyes started to see the world the way it was supposed to be instead of the way it is.  I already knew that we were self-destructive, I just didn’t realize to what extent.  I knew before I started reading the Bible that killing, stealing and cheating was wrong and since I didn’t take part in things of that nature, I didn’t have to take any blame for the problems of this world.  I have always had a strong since of responsibility, I don’t do drugs or break the law, I believe in working hard and paying your own way.  I took comfort in thinking I was one of the good guys. Then, I opened up my Bible and learned there was plenty of blame for me to take.  God started showing me that just because I am not a drain on society, doesn’t mean I’m not a drain on His kingdom.

As I began to study His word, I learned that lies are color blind.  There is no such thing as a “little white lie.”  All lies are the work of the enemy and go against God’s will.  Psalm 101:7 I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.  So many people don’t realize that the smallest lie can destroy the strongest foundation.  I also learned that gossip is just as destructive.  Even when you think what you’re saying is true, if it’s negative, what is the purpose of saying it?  Are we trying to help?  Are we trying to build someone up?  If we spreading gossip, the answer is always NO.  No one has the right to assume they know what it’s like to be someone else.  I, then, realized that since I was this hard working, law abiding, all around good citizen that I had also became a little self- righteous and judgmental.  For some reason, I thought I had the authority to pass judgment on everything that didn’t measure up to my standard. The Bible taught me that I have no authority to pass judgment.  He showed me that just because I don’t kill or steal doesn’t mean that I don’t have plenty of improving to do.

The problem, however, is that once we learn how sinful these things really are, we can’t seem to take accountability for them.  We search for justification of the sin or we want to place the blame on someone else.  That is not God’s will.  He never said thou shall not kill unless you think you have to.  We have to humble ourselves and admit our own sin to the Lord.  How can He forgive us if we refuse responsibility?  We can’t just stop passing judgment onto others; we have to take accountability for our own actions.  Everything wrong isn’t always someone else’s fault.  Just because we are all God’s children doesn’t mean we should act like children.

Truth is, when we find fault and blame others; we are doing the enemy’s work but when we hold ourselves accountable for our own sins, seek forgiveness and turn away from it; we can allow God’s work to take place within us.  And, not speaking for any other Christian, but that is what I pray for every day.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged.  We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.     

Not to offend, but...

Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

We are well aware that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) but, how about the wages of removing God from our schools and in turn our country?

Violent crimes committed by teens

Violent crimes are committed by teens every year. The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (1) provides these statistics on teen violence regarding violent crimes: 

• In 2000, about 1,561 youth under the age of 18 were arrested for homicide. 
• In 2000, nine percent of the murders in the United States were committed by persons under the age of 18. 
• One in ten teens arrested has been engaging in a violent activity that could have resulted in the serious injury or the death of another person.

Teen violence is a very real occurrence, and violent crimes are committed by teens regularly.

Suicide

We often neglect suicide in our examinations of teen violence. However, suicide is violence against oneself and deserves very real consideration. Two teen violence statistics to think about regarding suicide (1):

1.      The third leading cause of death among teens is suicide

2.      Over the past year, one in 11 high school students admit to having made a suicide attempt.

These statistics do not even take into account the number of students that think about violence against themselves on a regular basis. Additionally, these statistics do not take into account the rising instances of self-injury, which do not necessarily need to be associated with suicidal feelings, but which is a form of self-violence (2, 3).

Teen violence every day

Not only is teen violence related to violent crime and self-violence, but also there are lesser forms of violence that are perhaps more prevalent and worrisome, as they indicate a trend toward teen violence as an everyday occurrence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report the following teen violence statistics (4):

• National estimates indicate that 30 percent of youth in grade six through 10 are involved in bullying, either as a target or as the bully. Some even experience both.
• A national CDC survey indicates that 33 percent of high school students were in at least one physical fight within a 12 month period.
• In 30 days preceding the CDC survey, 17 percent of high school students reported that they carried a weapon at least once. The weapon could be a gun, knife or club.

Those numbers are a little scary.  This is the world our children live in.  Where is God in all that?  That’s right; we removed Him from our schools.  We send our kids to the lion’s den five days a week and hope they survive.  It’s not just about fitting in anymore.  They deal with real issues and real dangers every day.  It is not just a lack of caring for someone else’s feelings; there is a serious lack of respect for human life.  Death holds no meaning.  For Christians, death means we get to go be with our Heavenly Father.  But, whether its suicide or murder, death has become an answer to a problem for today’s youth.  I see these problems almost every day on the news, I hear the stories my own kids tell me about their day at school.  So I ask; why aren’t we putting God back in all that?

I’ve always believed that our experiences as children help mold us into the type of adult we are to become.  If that is true, those numbers are now horrifying.  The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.  If they have no respect for life as children, what kind of leaders can they make as adults?  In the 40’s and 50’s God was the cornerstone in most homes and communities.  Now, in 2012 children know more about Greek mythology than they do about the story of Moses.  Look at how times have changed between the two eras.  Is it a coincidence that the more we try to remove God from our country, the worse it becomes?  I don’t think so.

Now I completely believe that the Word of God needs to start in the home and we as parents take the bulk of the responsibility.  But, let’s face it; there are too many homes where God is not the cornerstone.  So, if His words aren’t taught in the home and their not being taught outside the home...once again I ask; where is God in all that?  There used to be a saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”  Hmmm, that takes a whole new meaning for me now.

We need to instill love and respect into our children; not just the need to survive.  They are screaming out to us for help.  How many more will die by their own hand or the hand of others before we answer?

Deuteronomy 11:18-21  Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,  so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.

Teen Violence Statistics Sources:

1. safeyouth.org/scripts/news/statistics.asp

 2. pamf.org/teen/life/suicide/selfinjury.html

3. cignabehavioral.com/web/basicsite/bulletinBoard/selfInjury.jsp

4. cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/yvfacts.htm

Disturbing Behavior

I know earlier I had mentioned that when I first became saved that I had put too much focus on looking like a Christian instead of being one.  I feel the conviction of the Lord right now because I failed to include that if I wasn’t being one than I couldn’t possibly act like one either.  Like I had said before I was trying to dress the part but because I wasn’t living it, it was all a costume; a mask of righteousness and the only kind of righteousness I was seeking at the time was self-driven.  I did what a lot of new christians do: I made my faith about me instead of making me about my faith.  Like a child, it was all about me.

I went to church every Sunday and gave God a whole two hours of my time.  I couldn’t tithe because I was too busy telling my pastor all about my financial needs; I couldn’t bother with the needs of the church.  I was ready to use the church’s resources to satisfy my needs, even after it started to take a toll on theirs.  I held a Bible study at my house every week that every time the pastor would try to get into scripture, I quickly pulled the focus to what I believed instead. Every time I was given an opportunity to minister about Christ, I would debate why my beliefs were right and all other religions were wrong.  The time I spent in God’s Word was minimal at best.  I spent so much time passing judgment on others that I never saw or sought forgiveness for my own transgressions.  I was young and thought I had all the answers.  If I only knew a portion of what I thought I did.

At the time, I didn’t even realize that I was being that way.  I thought I was really trying to be what God wanted me to be.  What truly bothers me now is: How many people did I turn away from Christ with my actions?  How many people were curious to know the Lord and changed their mind after meeting me?  I let the enemy get a hold of me.  I was new in my walk and susceptible to his attacks.  Even though God had blessed me with a loving, compassionate pastor that was more than qualified to spiritually guide me; I couldn’t learn.  He blessed me with a wonderful church with a congregation that was trying to show me God’s love; I couldn’t see.  He blessed me with the most powerful weapon, His Word; I couldn’t use it.

I said before, when God gives us that calling to serve Him; we become a threat to the enemy and God knows this too.  He gives us the tools and resources to resist temptation and fight back.  He gives us the instruction manual, The Bible, to learn how to use the tools and apply the resources.  He never leaves us defenseless but when we refuse to read His Word we make ourselves defenseless.  That is what gives the enemy a foothold and lets our actions be led by him instead of by the Heavenly Father.  I fell into this trap and had no one to blame but myself for my lack of growth.

Since then, I have recommitted my life to Christ and without fail God has provided the same tools and resources that I need to better serve Him.  Once again, He surrounded me with loving, compassionate spiritual leaders, a wonderful church that overflows with His love and of course The most powerful weapon, His Word.  But, this time it wasn’t about me.  I am willing to be His servant; I’m eager to be and I read His Word’s daily so I can be.  Because of this, the enemy is no longer glorified by my actions.  I desire only for the love of Christ to show through my behavior so that anyone seeking the truth will find it.     

As christians, our behavior should always reflect the love of Christ.  All that we do should be in the service of God.  We never know who is watching and because of our actions find Christ or turn away from Him.  We do know that God is ALWAYS watching and will hold us accountable.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

   

Where's Your Place?

When I was young, it was mandatory for us kids to respect our elders.  My parents had a kids should be seen; not heard rule.  We were not allowed to ask for anything or say no to any request and if grandma had started to clean-up I had better jump in to take over. And, in my home sentences ended with sir or ma'am.  When we decided to ignore these rules, my parents also believed in a more "capital" approach to discipline.  So, needless to say, overall me, my sister and two brothers were pretty good kids.  Now, that's not to say we weren't a little mean to each other; of course we were.  And, I think we all would be lying a little if we said we didn't take some enjoyment when one of the others got in trouble at least once.  But, that was okay, we were equals.  We knew we could be disrespectful to each other as long as there was no disrespect aimed at any adult. I guess what I'm trying to say is: We knew our place; with each other and with everyone else.

Of all that I was taught as a child, that lesson still resonates in me today.  I've always tried to teach my own children to have respect.  I've always told them that I don't want to just raise them to be good kids but to be good people.  To be a good person they needed to have respect for others and to always know their place.  I wanted them to understand that whether they are four or forty, they will always have place that they need to stay in the boundaries of.  A place with God, with their elders, with authority, even with their peers.   Of course, at times, it has been an up hill battle considering I feel that this is a Godless generation and respect is turning into a 4 letter word.  The problem is not just with children not knowing their place; we as parents need to know ours.  It is not our job to be their friends(at first).  First, we need to be their teachers and disciplinarians.  Love them and guide them and make sure we equip them with the tools to be productive, respectful adults.  Then, once we're done raising them, we can look at our children as friend.

I have a different place for each role God has blessed me with.  Some of them I need to be a leader and some I have a more submissive part.  No matter what the role, I try to fulfill it to the best of my ability because I know it all is to be a better steward for Christ.  For us to truly learn and to submit to God's will, we need to accept His authority and know our place. I will be honest, being submissive was a very hard concept for me to grasp considering that I have a domineering  personality.  It wasn't until I started reading The Word that I realized that submission doesn't mean weakness nor is it a measure of worth.  Jesus, himself, submitted to God's will and washed the feet of His disciples before they betrayed Him and He was crucified on the cross.  If the Son of God can know His place; I can know mine as well.

Now, consider this: What if we all were equally submissive?  I absolutely understand my place with my husband.  He is the provider in my home and he works many very hard, very long hours to take care of our family and still comes home and makes time for me.  Because of this, I'm proud to say he is the head of my house.  In turn, he understands his place with me.  He acknowledges that with or without a paycheck I work long hours too and I still find time for him.  He doesn't downgrade my worth or importance of the role I have in this marriage  So, we have equally submitted to one another.  I am NOT the woman behind the man.  I am the woman at my man's side; each in our place and each submitting equally.  Because of this, we are a team with the utmost respect for one another.

When we forget our place whether it be with our parents, our children, our spouse, ones in authority, and especially with God we lose the ability to have respect for one another and for Him.

Ephesians 5:21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Creating our own hell

One of my favorite things to do is to sit on my front porch with a good cup of coffee and a book (more often now my e-reader).  Sometimes, I get distracted by the people walking by and it saddens me.  I'm honestly not trying to listen to their conversations but we all know we can't always control what our ears take in.  Just like in most places, my hometown is a victim of a lot of struggling families.  Drug and alcohol abuse is common.  Jobs are here but the pay is low and everyone does drug testing these days.  I don't think you can even flip a burger without peeing in a cup first.  So, I hear the things they say as they walk by; people worrying about money.  The rent is late, the electric is due, the baby needs diapers, and... you get the point.  Some asking me for a cigarette (praise God I haven't smoked a cigarette for almost 7 1/2 months!!!)  Of course some just wanting to party. Even others rolling their eyes at the ones that have it so hard right now.  It saddens me because as a lot of us are complaining on how hard times are, we don't even realize we are part of the problem.

There, I said it.  We create our own hell.  I hear people use the term "hell on earth" and it confuses me.  If that is where you think you are; truth is, it is of your own doing.  In Genesis 1:1 it says God created the heavens and the earth.  If you continue to read on you will see that He saw all His creations as good. That means earth as well.  Our sins create the hell we live in.  But, instead of turning away from our sins and choosing to be a part of the solution; we chose to stay a part of the problem.  We don't turn to God seeking answers; we turn to each other seeking someone to blame.  I see the down-and-out blaming their lack of jobs or money on the ones that seem to have jobs and money.  On the other hand, I hear the ones with jobs blaming the taxes they pay on the down-and-out.

So, let's be honest: to the ones that are jobless; it's not the employed that's to blame for your lack of a paycheck.  Maybe it's because you didn't further your education or you can't pass a drug screening or maybe you run from the jobs that have been offered to you because you realized that you actually had to WORK to get paid.  Now, to the ones blessed with a job; it's not the unemployed that's to blame for the taxes you pay.  Sure, some of those funds go to help those who need it but, face it; your paying taxes no matter what the unemployment rate is.  It is also not up to you to judge them on why they are unemployed.  Maybe, they were laid off because of the current economic hardship we are under right now or the field they did go to school for is not in high demand at the moment or maybe they have been stricken with illness that has rendered them incapable of performing the only trade they've ever known.  Regardless, we can't know everyone's circumstances so, we should stop blaming each other for what we think is the truth.

Now, I am not naive.  I know there are plenty of dishonest people out there.  There is no short supply of liars and thieves.  They will be held accountable for their deeds the same as everyone else but not by me or by any of you.  You don't have to be a believer to be judged by God; no one will escape Him on judgement day.  So, I say let God do His job.  He does not need our help to do it.  

Don't think I'm being judgmental.  I have been through all walks of life first-hand.  I've been homeless and hungry all the way to homeowner and well fed.  I used to be the undefeated champion of the blame game from both sides.  God has truly convicted me of creating my own hell.  I now know that if we stop blaming each other for all the wrongs here on earth and just strive to help one another; hell will stay where it belongs and that is not here on earth.

So, instead of ending with scripture I feel He is calling me to end with this prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your blessings today.  I pray that it was Your will that led me to write this today and not my own.  I ask that it finds it's way into the hearts of all that need it and that all Your children can begin to come together, to help and love each other; all to glorify Your holy name.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Who's Judging?

I never realized how non believers viewed christians until I became one.  It seemed that as soon as people found out I had faith there was an ambush of accountability for the actions of every christian they had ever come across that I was suppose to take responsibility for.  I heard countless stories about one christian or another who condemned them for their way of life.  How they were told constantly that every choice they've made in their life was wrong and that according to the Bible if they don't change they will go to hell. So, consequently, since I am now one of those "Bible-thumping hypocrites" I must think the same way and should explain why we think we are better than everyone else.  At first, I tried to defend my faith.  I tried to tell them that I wasn't a "Bible-thumping hypocrite" and that my faith does not give me the authority to condemn anyone to hell. I tried to show them that I didn't view the Bible as a do what I say or burn forever book but instead as loving instructions from the Heavenly Father to all His children. That approach didn't work very well. So, I prayed for them.  I prayed that they would open their hearts to God's love; to feel His presence and come to know the joy that only He can provide.  Then, God showed me that they were not the only ones who needed prayer.

We as christians need prayer, too.  Our responsibility is to show people God's love. To make them aware of His most amazing gift; His one and only son Jesus Christ.  Jesus taught us numerous times that our thoughts, words and deeds should have love as the motive; love for God, love for our neighbor.  Instead, as a whole body we have given the impression that it is love for ourselves that drives us.  No matter what non-believer I have come across their experiences with believers are very similar and have one theme.  They felt looked down upon by a representative of Christ.  Being called to the Lord does NOT remove our capability to sin nor does it change the fact that we are still sinners.  Being saved gives us the privilege to be forgiven as long as we sincerely strive to stop serving this world and serve only Him in everything we do.  So, if being saved doesn't make us perfect, why would we judge the sins of others when we still have plenty of our own?

Of course, just like any other parent, our Heavenly Father does have rules for us to follow.  They are in the Bible for us to learn and follow.  Like the rules we make for our own children; they are for our own good.  He loves us and wants to keep us safe.  Safe from the enemy and safe from ourselves.  His intent was not for us to take His commandments and become the judge and jury of other people's transgressions.  We should build one another up, not tear each other down.  Let us love and support each other in Christ and show others that in God they will find that Amazing Grace that we are always singing about.  Show them that we are not perfect; just forgiven.






John 8:7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!"