Abbi You've given me the privilege of prayer. The ability to write. The mandate to raise others up. You call and equip and strip off all that would cause men to see me rather than you. Yet I struggle to do these things. Passion burns yet I lag. Ideas come, yet I hesitate.
How long will I halt between two opinions? Yours which tells me I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me, and my enemy which whispers to me, "Who do you think you are? What do you think you have to give? What makes you think, anybody wants to hear from you?" The words seep in insidiously, but Your Word rings louder with the mandate to GO! The oily accusations stifle my creativity and stun my sense of connectedness.
But that can only last momentarily. For you O Lord are my Shield and Defense. You alone have the right to interrogate me, and instead you encourage me to step out on the water! Instead you draw me to the fire to purify and strengthen me. Instead you pour cool water over me, reviving me and refreshing me. I am undone by Your gentleness. I am in awe of Your greatness. I am indebted for Your kindness. I am set free by Your sacrifice. O Lord. Have your way in me, through me and with me. May my life be spent for You. May I be a drink offering poured out upon others, in Your Presence. May I Lavish You with Love all the days of my life.
Thank you for the mandate. Thank you for the passion. Thank you for the ability. Most of all thank you for You. Your Presence makes all the difference, every day. Teach me how to stay in Your Presence. Oh I have been there, but teach me how to stay there. How to go deeper. How to move past the plateau of yesterday, into the revelation of Today. Take me deeper into You.
I say along with the maiden in Song of Solomon: Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. Song 1:4
I love thee. I long for more of thee. Draw me. Even as Peter said, "Lord if it is you Bid me come" and even as Jesus said, "No man comes to the Father except by me" and again "no man can come to Me except the Father which sent me draw him..." So Lord draw me and I will come.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Like A Hammer
Your Word O Lord is like a Hammer
well timed, well aimed, precise in measure
Released with anointing and ease
Seemingly at your leisure
You strike a blow for victory
Your Word so very Active
You strike a blow for defeat
of all that would hold me captive
You chip away around the edges
with glancing blows ringing
sparks are lifting off a flying
while the enemy is cringing
Oh Holy Word of God
come and have Your way
Seed yourself inside of me
Till only Your Will has perfect sway
You are relentless
in Your pursuit of me
till your likeness
all shall see
Your Word Paints a
picture bold and strong
Bringing Life and Light
and Victory's song
Long may Your Word
a Holy habitation be
A refuge, a comfort
where in I meet with Thee.
NEM
well timed, well aimed, precise in measure
Released with anointing and ease
Seemingly at your leisure
You strike a blow for victory
Your Word so very Active
You strike a blow for defeat
of all that would hold me captive
You chip away around the edges
with glancing blows ringing
sparks are lifting off a flying
while the enemy is cringing
Oh Holy Word of God
come and have Your way
Seed yourself inside of me
Till only Your Will has perfect sway
You are relentless
in Your pursuit of me
till your likeness
all shall see
Your Word Paints a
picture bold and strong
Bringing Life and Light
and Victory's song
Long may Your Word
a Holy habitation be
A refuge, a comfort
where in I meet with Thee.
NEM
© 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Grace, Is it Sufficient?
I don't know about you, but I struggle sometimes. I struggle to get past myself. To shed flesh and flow fully in the spirit. I know others who struggle too. Struggle with hang ups and put downs and weaknesses of the human kind. Their hearts yearn to be great Christians, but their failings tell them they are not. The enemy whispers they are failures, consigned to always failing. He says they are phonies, only pretending. I wonder if Peter felt that way sometimes? Of John, the son of Thunder? I have hope that if the Son of Thunder can be transformed into the Apostle of Love, then surely there is hope for me!
I read what Paul wrote in Romans...how he struggled to do what he knew he should, but then didn't. And vice versa. I wonder, did Paul fly off the handle? Was he sharp tongued, or critical? Or did he always seem to put his foot into his mouth? Or was he viewed as being a bossy know it all?
Yet, for all his struggles, whatever they were, all the assaults of the enemy against him, the weight and care of the Churches upon him, when he went to Jesus, Jesus comforted him saying, "My Grace is sufficient for thee." Really? Grace? That is all? He didn't say, "My Blood, my sacrifice, my armour", but HE said, "My Grace." How powerful Grace must be, and how misunderstood and under utilized!
What is His Grace? Yes, it is unmerited favor to the sinner. But what is it to the saint?
Apostle Bobbie Jean Merck did a word study on this. Here then is her Holy Ghost definition:
"Grace: God's Ability. God's Efficiency. God's Proficiency. God's Power. God's Strength. God's Help In, Upon, With and Through ME!"
God is so good! Another meaning of Grace is Favour, graciousness and liberality. God is saying, My Favour is sufficient. Indeed, His favour surrounds us like a shield. His favour goes before us. His favour changes people's heart's and minds. It causes them to be gracious and liberal when they may have wanted to be stingy! Favour brings about promotion and benefit! Favour causees rules and laws to be changed.
2Cor. 12:9 But His answer was: My grace is all you need; power comes to its full strength in weakness-NEB
More than ever, then, I delight to boast of the weaknesses that humiliate me, so that the strength of Christ may enshrine itself in me. -Knox
Oh, so instead of letting my weaknesses confound and trip me up and cause me to shrink in and flounder, I should cast my care and my weaknesses on Christ who cares for me and gave Himself for me and Who gives Me his Grace to persevere.
So I beg to ask again, "Is Grace sufficient?" When it is His Grace, then the answer must be "Yes! His Grace is sufficient." So then, how do we appropriate this Grace? What does Eph. 2:8 tel us? "Yes, it was grace that saved you, with faith for its instrument." -Knox "It is not by your own action." - Goodspeed
Hebrews tells us this: Heb 4:16 (AMP) Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
J.B. Rotherham translated it thus: "Let us then be approaching with freedom of speech unto the throne of favour..."
We access this Grace and favor by Faith, same as we received Salvation. Mark 11:24 in the MEssage Bible says: "That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything."
Jesus said, "MY Grace is sufficient for thee." Sufficient means to ward off, to avail, to be possessed of unfailing strength, to defend, to ward off. To be satisfied, to be contented.
His Grace avails for us. It defends and wards us. It satisfies us. To be possessed by Christ! Have we allowed Him to possess us? If we have, then His Grace fills us and posseses us and gives us unfailing strength.
Ahh, now we can begin to grasp the scripture in Philippians: "I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me." Paul had made the transistion! We can too. His Grace IS sufficient. Shalom!
I read what Paul wrote in Romans...how he struggled to do what he knew he should, but then didn't. And vice versa. I wonder, did Paul fly off the handle? Was he sharp tongued, or critical? Or did he always seem to put his foot into his mouth? Or was he viewed as being a bossy know it all?
Yet, for all his struggles, whatever they were, all the assaults of the enemy against him, the weight and care of the Churches upon him, when he went to Jesus, Jesus comforted him saying, "My Grace is sufficient for thee." Really? Grace? That is all? He didn't say, "My Blood, my sacrifice, my armour", but HE said, "My Grace." How powerful Grace must be, and how misunderstood and under utilized!
What is His Grace? Yes, it is unmerited favor to the sinner. But what is it to the saint?Apostle Bobbie Jean Merck did a word study on this. Here then is her Holy Ghost definition:
"Grace: God's Ability. God's Efficiency. God's Proficiency. God's Power. God's Strength. God's Help In, Upon, With and Through ME!"
God is so good! Another meaning of Grace is Favour, graciousness and liberality. God is saying, My Favour is sufficient. Indeed, His favour surrounds us like a shield. His favour goes before us. His favour changes people's heart's and minds. It causes them to be gracious and liberal when they may have wanted to be stingy! Favour brings about promotion and benefit! Favour causees rules and laws to be changed.
2Cor. 12:9 But His answer was: My grace is all you need; power comes to its full strength in weakness-NEB
More than ever, then, I delight to boast of the weaknesses that humiliate me, so that the strength of Christ may enshrine itself in me. -Knox
Oh, so instead of letting my weaknesses confound and trip me up and cause me to shrink in and flounder, I should cast my care and my weaknesses on Christ who cares for me and gave Himself for me and Who gives Me his Grace to persevere.
So I beg to ask again, "Is Grace sufficient?" When it is His Grace, then the answer must be "Yes! His Grace is sufficient." So then, how do we appropriate this Grace? What does Eph. 2:8 tel us? "Yes, it was grace that saved you, with faith for its instrument." -Knox "It is not by your own action." - Goodspeed
Hebrews tells us this: Heb 4:16 (AMP) Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
J.B. Rotherham translated it thus: "Let us then be approaching with freedom of speech unto the throne of favour..."
We access this Grace and favor by Faith, same as we received Salvation. Mark 11:24 in the MEssage Bible says: "That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything."
Jesus said, "MY Grace is sufficient for thee." Sufficient means to ward off, to avail, to be possessed of unfailing strength, to defend, to ward off. To be satisfied, to be contented.
His Grace avails for us. It defends and wards us. It satisfies us. To be possessed by Christ! Have we allowed Him to possess us? If we have, then His Grace fills us and posseses us and gives us unfailing strength.
Ahh, now we can begin to grasp the scripture in Philippians: "I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me." Paul had made the transistion! We can too. His Grace IS sufficient. Shalom!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Appetizers and Abuse, Yes. Abandoned? No!
NOV. 8TH, 2009
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR
THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
http://www.ninaastrom.com/node/51
Nina wrote this haunting, thought provoking song in 2008 to raise awareness for our persecuted brethren. It was featured on IDOP.com for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 2008 and now here with her kind permission. Thank you Nina!
Please click the link to listen to the song. http://www.ninaastrom.com/node/51
She works closely with the Martyred Church.
Finnish recording artist Nina Åström
Nov. 8th is this year's day set aside to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters all over the world. Below you can click on links to get further information and ideas of how to participate and what you can do.
How many of the Body of Christ are already waiting at the hall of the Great Banquet? From the Martyrs of our fore-fathers who risked everything to follow Christ, to those who translated the Bible into an understandable language of the peoples of an earlier era and lost their lives for doing so, to the pastors and sheep found in today's climes hostile to any mention Jesus Christ.
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give p and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. These bodies of ours are constantly facing death just as Jesus did; so it is clear to all that it is only the Living Christ within [who keeps us safe.] TLB 2Cor. 4: 8-10
Please visit the websites below. Some offer free materials. Some send out prayer alerts.
http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IDOP_2009_LP http://www.opendoorsusa.org/ http://www.persecutedchurch.org/ http://www.persecution.com/
Pictures taken from the websites, illustrating the plight of persecuted Christians.
Words to the song:
THE GREAT BANQUET © 2008 Nina Astrom
They came and took my husband, no explanations given
Later I was told he is an enemy of the state
Would you tell me; how can love and compassion be hostile; It just doesn’t make any sense
It seems that they’re really afraid of love
Afraid of the freedom that Christ gives
you can imprison me; but I’ll always be free
What I have can never be taken from me
I think they’re already serving appetizers at the Great Banquet
She is fifteen and belongs to Christ in a country
Where freedom in Jesus is a threat; so they rape her and beat her up
They want to break her down, ‘cause they think they can own her
It seems that they’re really afraid of love
Afraid of the freedom that Christ gives
you can imprison me; but I’ll always be free
What I have can never be taken from me
I think they’re already serving appetizers at the Great Banquet
This tiny home is full of people, we’ve come to fellowship
Bread and wine are passed on, we leave our burdens at the Cross
Suddenly the door flies open, rifles are flashing and gleaming
in candle light There’re shouts, commotion and chaos
It seems that they’re really afraid of love
Afraid of the freedom that Christ gives
you can imprison me; but I’ll always be free
What I have can never be taken from me
I think they’re already serving appetizers at the Great Banquet
How many of the Body of Christ are already waiting at the hall of the Great Banquet? From the Martyrs of our fore-fathers who risked everything to follow Christ, to those who translated the Bible into an understandable language of the peoples of an earlier era and lost their lives for doing so, to the pastors and sheep found in today's climes hostile to any mention Jesus Christ.
GOD
has not and will not abandon
the Persecuted Church,
let us not abandon them either!
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don't know why things happen as they do, but we don't give p and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. These bodies of ours are constantly facing death just as Jesus did; so it is clear to all that it is only the Living Christ within [who keeps us safe.] TLB 2Cor. 4: 8-10
Please visit the websites below. Some offer free materials. Some send out prayer alerts.
http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IDOP_2009_LP http://www.opendoorsusa.org/ http://www.persecutedchurch.org/ http://www.persecution.com/
Pictures taken from the websites, illustrating the plight of persecuted Christians.
Words to the song:
THE GREAT BANQUET © 2008 Nina Astrom
They came and took my husband, no explanations given
Later I was told he is an enemy of the state
Would you tell me; how can love and compassion be hostile; It just doesn’t make any sense
It seems that they’re really afraid of love
Afraid of the freedom that Christ gives
you can imprison me; but I’ll always be free
What I have can never be taken from me
I think they’re already serving appetizers at the Great Banquet
She is fifteen and belongs to Christ in a country
Where freedom in Jesus is a threat; so they rape her and beat her up
They want to break her down, ‘cause they think they can own her
It seems that they’re really afraid of love
Afraid of the freedom that Christ gives
you can imprison me; but I’ll always be free
What I have can never be taken from me
I think they’re already serving appetizers at the Great Banquet
This tiny home is full of people, we’ve come to fellowship
Bread and wine are passed on, we leave our burdens at the Cross
Suddenly the door flies open, rifles are flashing and gleaming
in candle light There’re shouts, commotion and chaos
It seems that they’re really afraid of love
Afraid of the freedom that Christ gives
you can imprison me; but I’ll always be free
What I have can never be taken from me
I think they’re already serving appetizers at the Great Banquet
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Police Escorts and Apple Seeds
I was in our little town today running errands. On my way home I must pass by the entrance to the interstate and a couple of truck stops. There really isn't a whole lot of traffic on this road, except for travelers getting on and off the interstate and locals who live in the area.
As I came up the road, I could see a white county police car sitting along the right side of the road with its lights going, although there was no one pulled over. I kept to the left because a little further up, I'd make a left turn. So as I am now sitting at my light waiting for it to turn, I hear a siren behind me, I look up and over to see a black unmarked police vehicle some alongside of me and then in front of me and sit catty cornered( diagonally) int he intersection, effectively blocking all flow. And here come a white county police car flying up the road, iwth lights going and behind it 2 SUV's with dark tinted windows! It was obvious that someone was receiving a police excort.
I immediately said alound, "Abba, WHAT is going on? What are you trying to show me?" And this is what I saw/heard: "When you praya nd speak MY WORD, then I send the angels to escort that Word to its destination, just as you saw the police escorting those 2 vehicles."
Did I know who was in the vehicles? No. Do I know their destination? No. I was ot privy to that information. But God had ordered my steps so that I would witness the demonstration of what HE wanted to show to me.
Do I always understand everything that happens that I am praying about? No. Do I always know what is His will? Not in every instance! There are basics that we know never change: It is His will for all to be Saved ( but not all will choose to be.) It is always His will to Heal ( but not all will walk in manifested healing.) It is His will to deliver and set free, (but some will remain in their bondages.) I don't understand the whys and wherefores of how everything works and why some receive and others do not. But I KNOW HIS HEART is for good and not evil and so I trust HIS HEART, even when I don't understand the circumstances.
So when I pray His Word, I am sending His power and authority and His very life essence into those situations. Jesus said "My words are Spirit and they are life." God spoke through Isa. and said, "So shall My Word be that goeth forthout of My mouth: it shall not return unto me void, except it accomplish that which I please, and make the thing whereto I sent it prosper." (Isa. 55:11 Jewish Puplication Society)
I watched the police act in conjuction with one another. One was an unmarked car. Intercession is soemtimes liek that. We may not know what we are praying for, just a burden to pray. Without his lights flashing, I would have never known that car was police. When he got close enought ( he was directly in front of me) I could see the driver wore a brown uniform, that of our County Police, not the gray of the State Police. See, each branch has it's authority and delegated duties. And whatever was going on, these officers were performing their duty.
Our duty is to pray and believe. God will honor our prayers. He will take our miniscule faith and act on our behalf in ways we never would have dreamed of! Is it any wonder Jesus said, "If ye have the faith of a mustard seed..." a mustard seed is a very small seed. It does not matter how small the seed is, it matters if there is living substance inside of that seed.
Is your faith alive? Is is it living? God isn't asking you to have skyscraper faith, just LIVING faith. If the seed has died inside itself, it will rot in the ground and produce nothing. But if it has that spark of life, it will push its way through dirt and stones to reach the surface and the light and produce a harvest. You can count how many seeds are inside of an apple. But only God can count how many apples are inside each of those seeds!
You see it does not matter how many obstacles you face. How hard things look. If you have living Faith, you can make it! Speak the Word and attach Faith to those prayers. When you speak the Word, get a mental picture of a police escort... God has angels escorting His Word that YOU just spoke, to the destination that you sent it to! Once there it will go to work and do what only God can do. We can't change people's minds or hearts. But God can! God can change situations! He can wipe out judgements. He can do so much more than we often believe Him for!
So, how many apples are inside the seed You're planting? You may never know this side of Heaven! Just keep speaking the Word, planting those seeds and watch for the fruit to manifest. It has to manifest, because it is locked inside the seed, waiting to be relased. Release your harvest today! Plant some Godly seed!
As I came up the road, I could see a white county police car sitting along the right side of the road with its lights going, although there was no one pulled over. I kept to the left because a little further up, I'd make a left turn. So as I am now sitting at my light waiting for it to turn, I hear a siren behind me, I look up and over to see a black unmarked police vehicle some alongside of me and then in front of me and sit catty cornered( diagonally) int he intersection, effectively blocking all flow. And here come a white county police car flying up the road, iwth lights going and behind it 2 SUV's with dark tinted windows! It was obvious that someone was receiving a police excort.
I immediately said alound, "Abba, WHAT is going on? What are you trying to show me?" And this is what I saw/heard: "When you praya nd speak MY WORD, then I send the angels to escort that Word to its destination, just as you saw the police escorting those 2 vehicles."
Did I know who was in the vehicles? No. Do I know their destination? No. I was ot privy to that information. But God had ordered my steps so that I would witness the demonstration of what HE wanted to show to me.
Do I always understand everything that happens that I am praying about? No. Do I always know what is His will? Not in every instance! There are basics that we know never change: It is His will for all to be Saved ( but not all will choose to be.) It is always His will to Heal ( but not all will walk in manifested healing.) It is His will to deliver and set free, (but some will remain in their bondages.) I don't understand the whys and wherefores of how everything works and why some receive and others do not. But I KNOW HIS HEART is for good and not evil and so I trust HIS HEART, even when I don't understand the circumstances.
So when I pray His Word, I am sending His power and authority and His very life essence into those situations. Jesus said "My words are Spirit and they are life." God spoke through Isa. and said, "So shall My Word be that goeth forthout of My mouth: it shall not return unto me void, except it accomplish that which I please, and make the thing whereto I sent it prosper." (Isa. 55:11 Jewish Puplication Society)
I watched the police act in conjuction with one another. One was an unmarked car. Intercession is soemtimes liek that. We may not know what we are praying for, just a burden to pray. Without his lights flashing, I would have never known that car was police. When he got close enought ( he was directly in front of me) I could see the driver wore a brown uniform, that of our County Police, not the gray of the State Police. See, each branch has it's authority and delegated duties. And whatever was going on, these officers were performing their duty.
Our duty is to pray and believe. God will honor our prayers. He will take our miniscule faith and act on our behalf in ways we never would have dreamed of! Is it any wonder Jesus said, "If ye have the faith of a mustard seed..." a mustard seed is a very small seed. It does not matter how small the seed is, it matters if there is living substance inside of that seed.
Is your faith alive? Is is it living? God isn't asking you to have skyscraper faith, just LIVING faith. If the seed has died inside itself, it will rot in the ground and produce nothing. But if it has that spark of life, it will push its way through dirt and stones to reach the surface and the light and produce a harvest. You can count how many seeds are inside of an apple. But only God can count how many apples are inside each of those seeds!
You see it does not matter how many obstacles you face. How hard things look. If you have living Faith, you can make it! Speak the Word and attach Faith to those prayers. When you speak the Word, get a mental picture of a police escort... God has angels escorting His Word that YOU just spoke, to the destination that you sent it to! Once there it will go to work and do what only God can do. We can't change people's minds or hearts. But God can! God can change situations! He can wipe out judgements. He can do so much more than we often believe Him for!
So, how many apples are inside the seed You're planting? You may never know this side of Heaven! Just keep speaking the Word, planting those seeds and watch for the fruit to manifest. It has to manifest, because it is locked inside the seed, waiting to be relased. Release your harvest today! Plant some Godly seed!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Will you Won't you?
Brenda Craig - Josephs coat The dreamer from Passion TV / Richard Boyd on Vimeo.
As you listen to this let yourself be be wrapped in a different mind set, a different mental image than the one you have had. Listen as she asks the question it's not about who so ever it is about will you be a "will"?
Reminds me of a tv show I watched as a child. It was called Wunda Wunda and it aired on KING TV out of Seattle, WA. Wunda Wunda was a gentle show. Everything was gentler back then! She had a flower in a flower pot and his name was Wilting Willie. She would sing a song about Willie, because he had a penchant for drooping. Will he, won't he? Will he, won't he stand up today? Will he, won't he? Will he, won't he, what do you say? Will Willie stand up today or won't he? We'd all guess and sometimes he'd stand up all perky and tall. Sometimes he'd stay all bowed over the rim of the flower pot. Kind of like us sometimes. Things come at us and sometimes we stand tall and strong, rooted in Christ, and His love for us. Other times we allow the enemy of our souls to bow us over with his weights of depression and oppression and negativity.
Hmm, will we be "Wills" today. Whosoever will..can taste of the marvelous Grace of our Lord. Whosoever will can walk in their Prophetic Destiny. The question is, " Will You?" Watch the video for a shot of encouragement and a boost to be that "Will" that DOES!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Great Literature
Today during prayer my heart was heavy and my mind kept going to
George Orwell's book "1984." Have you read it? You should. It was required
reading when I was in school xx years ago! It should be required reading
right now. (download it here: http://www.msxnet.org/orwell/ )
I was thinking and praying about recent appointments in our government and the personal beliefs and lifestyles of these appointee's. Killing babies up to 2 or 3 years old... advocating sexual orgies... basically wanting to rewrite our laws to suit their beliefs. Just as the push has been on for many years now to rewrite our history to wipe out any references to the Christian Foundation on which this country was founded. And suddenly, I was reminded of the Orwell book.
Here is a Quote from "1984": "Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."
Here is a brief overview: Nineteen Eighty-Four (also 1984), by George Orwell, published in 1949, is a novel about the totalitarian régime of "the Party", an oligarchical collectivist society where life in the Oceanian province of Airstrip One is a world of perpetual war, pervasive government surveillance, public mind control, and the voiding of citizens' rights. (Wikipeidia)
The language of the civilization was called Newspeak, which always said
the exact opposite of what was really meant. The media was all government controlled, indeed camera's and tv's were everywhere watching and pouring forth the government's "doubletalk." TV's were hardwired into every home to
monitor and constantly tell you what to think, feel and do and how to do it.
Daily, things were rewritten to cover up any failings of "the Party." So if yesterday something was good, and today it was broadcast as bad, the people
would gulp down the dribble and believe what they were told. There were "Thought Police", to deal with "thought-crimes" and hidden microphones, and informers that permit the Thought Police to spy upon everyone and so identify anyone who might endanger the Party's régime; children, especially, are indoctrinated to spy and inform on suspected thought-criminals — especially their parents.
For a book written in 1949, it is chilling for today! In an essay Mr. Orwell wrote this about the book: " The scene of the book is laid in Britain in order to emphasize that the English-speaking races are not innately better than anyone else, and that totalitarianism, if not fought against, could triumph anywhere."
Some have embraced today's leadership, even suggesting that he/it is their Abe Lincoln, their "messiah," to free them from mediocrity and prejudice, giving them a voice, a place, and meaning in this life. My heart grieves for my beloved friends,and brethren, those who have bought into this lie, thinking it does not matter about the other things like the doctrines and party and personal beliefs that are being held and perpetuated by theses "leaders."
I have friends from many nations and I have spoken with many ethnicities. I am always shocked at the prevalence of inner beliefs in America that leads some of them to believe that they are somehow being put down. They should try living in Pakistan or India! Or worse yet, some in other lands, thinking that they are less than anyone else simply because of their color, their ethnic origin and background. So let's address it at it's core.
Does prejudice exist? Oh, you betcha it does! It exists in men and women whose hearts are black with sin and hatred! Does not matter the color of their skin, it is the color of their heart! I have heard and seen this laced in the attitudes and actions of many in Africa, as well as many here in America. I remember when I encountered it in Africa where I was given a lovely African name..but it was from a "lesser tribe" so I was told by well positioned ministers that I should take as my first name, one that is from the "ruling tribe of power and prestige." I adamantly refused!
I saw it again in a totally different country where two opposing tribes were vying for the presidency. When the sitting tribe won, there was massacres and bloodshed for months amongst several tribes against each other. It was an excuse to openly declare what had been smoldering in their hearts for months and years against one another.
When I took my first missionary trips, it was to the Indian Reservations, right here in America. I saw first hand how marginalized they were and how many people (mis) treated the Native Americans. I also saw the apathy, lack of integrity, and selfishness amongst themselves, and the excuses given for such behavior.
I saw how the leaders had bought the lie of the Casinos, thinking it would make all of them rich. And amidst poverty and rampant alcoholism sat these "glittering whores," beckoning to the unsuspecting, polluting the hearts and land and filling the coffers of those sitting in leadership, but rarely bettering the lives of the ordinary "brave."
I encountered it in Texas years ago against the Hispanic community...
Oh, I know I am stepping on toes, and hitting nerves here. But it is time for us to stop swallowing things whole and turning a blind eye to glaring truth to believe seductive lies instead.
Our Equality is found in and at the Cross and NO WHERE ELSE! Jesus alone is the Great EQUALIZER. If we would REALLY BELIEVE the TRUTHS taught in the Bible... and then, act on them....
America has been and still IS the greatest nation on the earth, but where do you think the Fore-Fathers got the beliefs they penned not only into words, but into law? It was from a deeply held belief in the Bible and the Sovereignty of God Almighty!
It was when Abraham Lincoln received Christ into his heart and life that he arose to become the liberator of the slaves, the re-conciliator of the states and the most beloved Statesman of all time!
There have been factions in the past and in the present that would try to bring division into the Church, that would try to stir up latent poison lying in the bosom of mankind placed there by the arrows of deception, ignorance, fear and hatred. How sly is the enemy of our souls, how pervasive his trickery and deceit to try to infiltrate the Church of the Living God!
How vigilant- NOT VIGILANTE, must be the watchmen of the Lord, to sound the alarm, to speak the Truth in Love, to stand for Righteousness and to continually keep a check on our own hearts against anything that would pollute and give entrance to the enemy.
May God help us! May Love Bind us together as the TRUE Church, bought with the BLOOD of JESUS, Washed with the water of the Word that says; "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."
The Bible is not only "Great Literature" it is TRUTH and that TRUTH has and continues to change mankind, only as WE allow it entrance and freedom to do so.
I pray Lord that YOUR WORD have that free course.
George Orwell's book "1984." Have you read it? You should. It was required
reading when I was in school xx years ago! It should be required reading
right now. (download it here: http://www.msxnet.org/orwell/ )
I was thinking and praying about recent appointments in our government and the personal beliefs and lifestyles of these appointee's. Killing babies up to 2 or 3 years old... advocating sexual orgies... basically wanting to rewrite our laws to suit their beliefs. Just as the push has been on for many years now to rewrite our history to wipe out any references to the Christian Foundation on which this country was founded. And suddenly, I was reminded of the Orwell book.
Here is a Quote from "1984": "Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past."
Here is a brief overview: Nineteen Eighty-Four (also 1984), by George Orwell, published in 1949, is a novel about the totalitarian régime of "the Party", an oligarchical collectivist society where life in the Oceanian province of Airstrip One is a world of perpetual war, pervasive government surveillance, public mind control, and the voiding of citizens' rights. (Wikipeidia)
The language of the civilization was called Newspeak, which always said
the exact opposite of what was really meant. The media was all government controlled, indeed camera's and tv's were everywhere watching and pouring forth the government's "doubletalk." TV's were hardwired into every home to
monitor and constantly tell you what to think, feel and do and how to do it.
Daily, things were rewritten to cover up any failings of "the Party." So if yesterday something was good, and today it was broadcast as bad, the people
would gulp down the dribble and believe what they were told. There were "Thought Police", to deal with "thought-crimes" and hidden microphones, and informers that permit the Thought Police to spy upon everyone and so identify anyone who might endanger the Party's régime; children, especially, are indoctrinated to spy and inform on suspected thought-criminals — especially their parents.
For a book written in 1949, it is chilling for today! In an essay Mr. Orwell wrote this about the book: " The scene of the book is laid in Britain in order to emphasize that the English-speaking races are not innately better than anyone else, and that totalitarianism, if not fought against, could triumph anywhere."
Some have embraced today's leadership, even suggesting that he/it is their Abe Lincoln, their "messiah," to free them from mediocrity and prejudice, giving them a voice, a place, and meaning in this life. My heart grieves for my beloved friends,and brethren, those who have bought into this lie, thinking it does not matter about the other things like the doctrines and party and personal beliefs that are being held and perpetuated by theses "leaders."
I have friends from many nations and I have spoken with many ethnicities. I am always shocked at the prevalence of inner beliefs in America that leads some of them to believe that they are somehow being put down. They should try living in Pakistan or India! Or worse yet, some in other lands, thinking that they are less than anyone else simply because of their color, their ethnic origin and background. So let's address it at it's core.
Does prejudice exist? Oh, you betcha it does! It exists in men and women whose hearts are black with sin and hatred! Does not matter the color of their skin, it is the color of their heart! I have heard and seen this laced in the attitudes and actions of many in Africa, as well as many here in America. I remember when I encountered it in Africa where I was given a lovely African name..but it was from a "lesser tribe" so I was told by well positioned ministers that I should take as my first name, one that is from the "ruling tribe of power and prestige." I adamantly refused!
I saw it again in a totally different country where two opposing tribes were vying for the presidency. When the sitting tribe won, there was massacres and bloodshed for months amongst several tribes against each other. It was an excuse to openly declare what had been smoldering in their hearts for months and years against one another.
When I took my first missionary trips, it was to the Indian Reservations, right here in America. I saw first hand how marginalized they were and how many people (mis) treated the Native Americans. I also saw the apathy, lack of integrity, and selfishness amongst themselves, and the excuses given for such behavior.
I saw how the leaders had bought the lie of the Casinos, thinking it would make all of them rich. And amidst poverty and rampant alcoholism sat these "glittering whores," beckoning to the unsuspecting, polluting the hearts and land and filling the coffers of those sitting in leadership, but rarely bettering the lives of the ordinary "brave."
I encountered it in Texas years ago against the Hispanic community...
Oh, I know I am stepping on toes, and hitting nerves here. But it is time for us to stop swallowing things whole and turning a blind eye to glaring truth to believe seductive lies instead.
Our Equality is found in and at the Cross and NO WHERE ELSE! Jesus alone is the Great EQUALIZER. If we would REALLY BELIEVE the TRUTHS taught in the Bible... and then, act on them....
America has been and still IS the greatest nation on the earth, but where do you think the Fore-Fathers got the beliefs they penned not only into words, but into law? It was from a deeply held belief in the Bible and the Sovereignty of God Almighty!
It was when Abraham Lincoln received Christ into his heart and life that he arose to become the liberator of the slaves, the re-conciliator of the states and the most beloved Statesman of all time!
There have been factions in the past and in the present that would try to bring division into the Church, that would try to stir up latent poison lying in the bosom of mankind placed there by the arrows of deception, ignorance, fear and hatred. How sly is the enemy of our souls, how pervasive his trickery and deceit to try to infiltrate the Church of the Living God!
How vigilant- NOT VIGILANTE, must be the watchmen of the Lord, to sound the alarm, to speak the Truth in Love, to stand for Righteousness and to continually keep a check on our own hearts against anything that would pollute and give entrance to the enemy.
May God help us! May Love Bind us together as the TRUE Church, bought with the BLOOD of JESUS, Washed with the water of the Word that says; "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."
The Bible is not only "Great Literature" it is TRUTH and that TRUTH has and continues to change mankind, only as WE allow it entrance and freedom to do so.
I pray Lord that YOUR WORD have that free course.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Searching for the signal
Have you ever been out of range with your cell phone? Or in range but something is interfering and blocking the signal? Often in my office at home, my cell phone goes crazy, as it flits in and out of roam looking for a signal.
Sometimes we are like that too! We wander from the path the Lord has laid out for us taking side trips that end up in brambles, scratched up and confused. Or else, we are on the path, when suddenly and inexplicably we drop the call and the phone shows no signal is getting through.
Do you know what block the signal for you? What takes you off track? More importantly, what have you decided to do about it? Or have you decided? Or are you bogged down in a quagmire, struggling to get free? Sometimes it is a quagmire of our own making, other times it is of others making, but when you are in it, all your attention is on that and it is so hard to hear anything, but the "schloop", "squish" and "mwaahck" as the goop pulls and clings to you as you move.
I want to remind you, no matter where you find yourself today, whether on track or sidetracked, Jesus is still THE WAY and He will guide you safely along.
Psa 40:2 (AMP) He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.
If the signal has grown dim and weak and you seem not able to hear clearly, don't fret. Instead, revert to that trust that a child exhibits when it is upon its' mother's breast. Ps. 131:2 (BBE) See, I have made my soul calm and quiet, like a child on its mother's breast; my soul is like a child on its mother's breast.
If the foundation is strong, then the whole will stand agaisnt the storm... our foundation must be finalized in this; Jer. 29:11(Multiple translations) For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome, a future of success, not of suffering, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for, to give you a future and a hope. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you!
Allow Him to lift you out of that quagmire. Allow Him to whisper softly to your heart. Still yourself and believe that HE IS, and He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. Let Him reward you according to His loving kindness and mercy, not according to your harsh self reprisals. If you've missed it, say so, humble yourself and repent and let Him lift you up. If you are tired, He IS your rest. If you are frustrated, He is your rescue and relief. Whatever you have need of hear His voice declaring firmly, I AM ! I am the One who loves you, the One who sees ( El Roi) the One who hears, the One who created you and planned you and desires you even now, even in the quagmire. Won't you give ME what I desire most? Won't you give me your heart?
Sometimes we are like that too! We wander from the path the Lord has laid out for us taking side trips that end up in brambles, scratched up and confused. Or else, we are on the path, when suddenly and inexplicably we drop the call and the phone shows no signal is getting through.
Do you know what block the signal for you? What takes you off track? More importantly, what have you decided to do about it? Or have you decided? Or are you bogged down in a quagmire, struggling to get free? Sometimes it is a quagmire of our own making, other times it is of others making, but when you are in it, all your attention is on that and it is so hard to hear anything, but the "schloop", "squish" and "mwaahck" as the goop pulls and clings to you as you move.
I want to remind you, no matter where you find yourself today, whether on track or sidetracked, Jesus is still THE WAY and He will guide you safely along.
Psa 40:2 (AMP) He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.
If the signal has grown dim and weak and you seem not able to hear clearly, don't fret. Instead, revert to that trust that a child exhibits when it is upon its' mother's breast. Ps. 131:2 (BBE) See, I have made my soul calm and quiet, like a child on its mother's breast; my soul is like a child on its mother's breast.
If the foundation is strong, then the whole will stand agaisnt the storm... our foundation must be finalized in this; Jer. 29:11(Multiple translations) For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome, a future of success, not of suffering, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for, to give you a future and a hope. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you!
Allow Him to lift you out of that quagmire. Allow Him to whisper softly to your heart. Still yourself and believe that HE IS, and He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. Let Him reward you according to His loving kindness and mercy, not according to your harsh self reprisals. If you've missed it, say so, humble yourself and repent and let Him lift you up. If you are tired, He IS your rest. If you are frustrated, He is your rescue and relief. Whatever you have need of hear His voice declaring firmly, I AM ! I am the One who loves you, the One who sees ( El Roi) the One who hears, the One who created you and planned you and desires you even now, even in the quagmire. Won't you give ME what I desire most? Won't you give me your heart?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Birthday Blessings
Today (Sun Oct. 18th) has been a glorious day. I celebrated another year.
I had calls and cards. I was given some precious
heart gifts that money can't buy.
God has been so good to me. So faithful in every way.
He has showered me with love, with strength and health.
With precious family and friends.
With purpose and calling and His giftings and anointing.
Although I have walked with Him for a long time, I can't forget from
whence I came and to where He has brought me and to where He has called me. Even as I reflect on this, Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and stretching forth myself to those that are before, I press towards the mark, to the prize of the supernal vocation of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
I exhort you Run the Race! Keep your place. Do not slack your pace.
Seek His Face. Arm yourself with His Grace. Be abased yet remain unfazed. Count the cost, say it's worth all loss and cling to His cross. Lift Him high. Reach for the sky. Press for the Prize, Keep the Son in your eyes! Hear the shouts of the glorious cloud of witnesses round about. Neglect not the cries nor pass them by, the ones lost and undone, it's for them this race must be won.
Take care how you run. Glorify the Son. Amen.
I had calls and cards. I was given some precious
heart gifts that money can't buy.
God has been so good to me. So faithful in every way.
He has showered me with love, with strength and health.
With precious family and friends.
With purpose and calling and His giftings and anointing.
Although I have walked with Him for a long time, I can't forget from
whence I came and to where He has brought me and to where He has called me. Even as I reflect on this, Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: Forgetting the things that are behind and stretching forth myself to those that are before, I press towards the mark, to the prize of the supernal vocation of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
I exhort you Run the Race! Keep your place. Do not slack your pace.
Seek His Face. Arm yourself with His Grace. Be abased yet remain unfazed. Count the cost, say it's worth all loss and cling to His cross. Lift Him high. Reach for the sky. Press for the Prize, Keep the Son in your eyes! Hear the shouts of the glorious cloud of witnesses round about. Neglect not the cries nor pass them by, the ones lost and undone, it's for them this race must be won.
Take care how you run. Glorify the Son. Amen.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Matters of the Heart (part 2)
Circumcision. This involves the most tenderest and delicate of care,
for it involves some very private parts that have much emotion, self worth,
and a host of other feelings attached.
Circumcision of the Heart. Hmm, it is the same!
The cutting away of fleshy parts to keep disease and sickness out.
To mark and consecrate and set apart your very being for the Lord.
What matters to our hearts matters to Him.
And so He comes to circumcise and cut out the infection, clean the wounds,
cut away the excess, remove what will impede and block and choke...
to make tender and pliable again what has grown cold and stiff-perhaps from injury.
He comes with Healing in His wings, with a Song for the Wounded,
with Hope for tomorrow, Peace for right Now and Wisdom for everyone who asks...
And He whispers to our Hearts..lean in close to hear; whispers of Love, whispers of Grace,
Whispers to take us to that new place. The slightest whisper from His lips will put all to right,
will cause us to see things in a brand new light. Come Lord, whisper my name... draw me to yourself... cut away those things in my heart, until only You remain.
for it involves some very private parts that have much emotion, self worth,
and a host of other feelings attached.
Circumcision of the Heart. Hmm, it is the same!
The cutting away of fleshy parts to keep disease and sickness out.
To mark and consecrate and set apart your very being for the Lord.
What matters to our hearts matters to Him.
And so He comes to circumcise and cut out the infection, clean the wounds,
cut away the excess, remove what will impede and block and choke...
to make tender and pliable again what has grown cold and stiff-perhaps from injury.
He comes with Healing in His wings, with a Song for the Wounded,
with Hope for tomorrow, Peace for right Now and Wisdom for everyone who asks...
And He whispers to our Hearts..lean in close to hear; whispers of Love, whispers of Grace,
Whispers to take us to that new place. The slightest whisper from His lips will put all to right,
will cause us to see things in a brand new light. Come Lord, whisper my name... draw me to yourself... cut away those things in my heart, until only You remain.
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