It is in man's carnal nature to take revenge for wrongs taken against him. The Bible teaches us however that we are to do what is right and leave repayment of our being wronged to God. Romans 12:17-21(NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Although this is a hard concept, when we learn it a new kind of peace comes over us. God's peace is so freeing if we will let it be.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
EDUCATED IDIOTS!
I am sure you have heard it said about someone, "He was a wise man." Well maybe he was, but the question is how did he get that way. Was it experiences he learned from? Was it study in a higher institution?
My grandmother used to call some people 'educated idiots'. As a child that seemed an oxymoron, until I got older and actually met a few. Another quote of hers was that a person could learn a lot, but without 'common sense' it meant nothing; I've met a lot of people without that too!
The truth of the matter is that true wisdom is a gift of God and therefore something we can ask for in prayer. Proverbs 2:6 (NIV) says this: For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
We need to remember to ask the Lord for wisdom to be one of the gifts he bestows on the leaders of our country, of our states, of our churches, of our homes and for ourselves. Don't be an 'educated idiot', be a wise child of the Father that resides in Heaven.
My grandmother used to call some people 'educated idiots'. As a child that seemed an oxymoron, until I got older and actually met a few. Another quote of hers was that a person could learn a lot, but without 'common sense' it meant nothing; I've met a lot of people without that too!
The truth of the matter is that true wisdom is a gift of God and therefore something we can ask for in prayer. Proverbs 2:6 (NIV) says this: For the Lord gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
We need to remember to ask the Lord for wisdom to be one of the gifts he bestows on the leaders of our country, of our states, of our churches, of our homes and for ourselves. Don't be an 'educated idiot', be a wise child of the Father that resides in Heaven.
Monday, October 26, 2009
WHAT IS YOUR TESTIMONY?
The definition of the word testimony according to my computers dictionary is: evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.
While we can testify about all kinds of things God does for us even a lost person could do that. (The Bible says the rain falls on the just and unjust alike)
Our Christian testimony should actually be about the instant when we came into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord who then baptized us with the Holy Spirit.
In John 1:32-34(NIV) John the Baptist gave his testimony.
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
What is your testimony?
While we can testify about all kinds of things God does for us even a lost person could do that. (The Bible says the rain falls on the just and unjust alike)
Our Christian testimony should actually be about the instant when we came into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord who then baptized us with the Holy Spirit.
In John 1:32-34(NIV) John the Baptist gave his testimony.
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."
What is your testimony?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
2012 IS IT THE YEAR OF THE END?
Recently several books and a movie have come out about the Mayan calendar and the fact that it ends Dec 21, 2012. The authors would imply that it is the end of the world prediction. One analyst says that the Mayan calendar just rotates at that point and starts over. References are made to other early calendars such as the Aztecs.
Here are some other speculations of my own:
1.) The calendar maker got tired and quit.
2.) The calendar maker got old and died; no one wanted to chisel on rock for a living after that.
3.) The calendar maker ran out of space.
4.) The mayans ran out of virgins and children to sacrifice, knew the calendar maker had to be good for it since he had been chiseling for ever, so his head had to roll.
YES these are all silly speculations, but isn't anything we absolutely don't have in writing.
Matthew 24(NIV) gives us an overview of the End of the Age return of Christ and the end of life as we know it:
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.
"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
"Immediately after the distress of those days
" 'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is in writing! He tells us what to watch for, not so we can know the day or the hour, but so that we might be diligent in our faith.
Does it matter when the end of the earth might come? Not really, our lives could end tomorrow on the highway. What matters is what we are doing with this day, this moment. Do you know Christ Jesus as the Savior of your soul? He is coming, are you ready for that return or will you be cut to pieces and assigned a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth?
I am on twitter, I will reply if you would like to talk about this.
Here are some other speculations of my own:
1.) The calendar maker got tired and quit.
2.) The calendar maker got old and died; no one wanted to chisel on rock for a living after that.
3.) The calendar maker ran out of space.
4.) The mayans ran out of virgins and children to sacrifice, knew the calendar maker had to be good for it since he had been chiseling for ever, so his head had to roll.
YES these are all silly speculations, but isn't anything we absolutely don't have in writing.
Matthew 24(NIV) gives us an overview of the End of the Age return of Christ and the end of life as we know it:
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.
"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
"Immediately after the distress of those days
" 'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
It is in writing! He tells us what to watch for, not so we can know the day or the hour, but so that we might be diligent in our faith.
Does it matter when the end of the earth might come? Not really, our lives could end tomorrow on the highway. What matters is what we are doing with this day, this moment. Do you know Christ Jesus as the Savior of your soul? He is coming, are you ready for that return or will you be cut to pieces and assigned a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth?
I am on twitter, I will reply if you would like to talk about this.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
WORDS MATTER!
My children, when younger would argue with me that words were just words and didn't mean anything unless we let them. Words, however, are the true window to who you are inside. The way you use them can build up another person, or destroy them.
My husband, when very small heard his mother say that he had not been wanted, that he was there as an accident. I don't believe for one moment that she intended those words to be harmful, she was merely sharing a life story and didn't think about the little boy playing near by. That one solitary statement hurt him so badly that it has stayed with him all of his life.
The Bible tells us about the tongue in James 3:9-12(NIV) With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Many times my Pastor has asked a congregation, "Who are you when no one else is around? Are you still the same person you are here this morning? Do you say, 'Praise the Lord', 'Hallelujah' and always ask the Lord's blessing on your food?"
Do you tell your children what a blessing they are to you, like you do Mrs. Jones that you don't even know at church. Do you say, "Well, bless your heart let's pray about it." when your spouse makes a blunder, like you did to the deacon that misjudged your intentions? Do you use the same four letter words on your family that you do on others, like love, or hugs, or kiss, or is it something else that comes forth like a gushing polluted river?
One misdirected word can change who you are to someone else forever. It can change the witness that we are called as Christians to be.
Words matter. Jesus was even called the Word of God. If God thinks of it as so important shouldn't we. Think on these words and take a close look through the window of your heart. What do you see, if it doesn't make you happy, lay it on the altar of sacrifice dear fellow Christian, (it's right there inside) and God will restore you through His Son Jesus the living Word of God.
My husband, when very small heard his mother say that he had not been wanted, that he was there as an accident. I don't believe for one moment that she intended those words to be harmful, she was merely sharing a life story and didn't think about the little boy playing near by. That one solitary statement hurt him so badly that it has stayed with him all of his life.
The Bible tells us about the tongue in James 3:9-12(NIV) With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Many times my Pastor has asked a congregation, "Who are you when no one else is around? Are you still the same person you are here this morning? Do you say, 'Praise the Lord', 'Hallelujah' and always ask the Lord's blessing on your food?"
Do you tell your children what a blessing they are to you, like you do Mrs. Jones that you don't even know at church. Do you say, "Well, bless your heart let's pray about it." when your spouse makes a blunder, like you did to the deacon that misjudged your intentions? Do you use the same four letter words on your family that you do on others, like love, or hugs, or kiss, or is it something else that comes forth like a gushing polluted river?
One misdirected word can change who you are to someone else forever. It can change the witness that we are called as Christians to be.
Words matter. Jesus was even called the Word of God. If God thinks of it as so important shouldn't we. Think on these words and take a close look through the window of your heart. What do you see, if it doesn't make you happy, lay it on the altar of sacrifice dear fellow Christian, (it's right there inside) and God will restore you through His Son Jesus the living Word of God.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
WHAT' UP WITH THAT?
What's up with so many people at odds with each other of late. People who claim to be Christians. People who will quote scripture at you and turn around and gossip about you or a situation concerning you.
The scary thing is that now more than ever Christians need to unite and serve Christ. Instead we are letting worldly issues come between us. What's up with that? Can't we see the forest for the trees? That is exactly what the enemy would have us do. In some cases it makes me wonder about the proclamation of their salvation, (not all but some).
Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) teaches us this:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Don't tell me you are a Christian and talk behind my back. Don't tell me you love me and hurt me to the very quick. Don't drag my Savior into pettiness for your own gain. Why would you, how could you as a Christian? I mean what's up with that?
The scary thing is that now more than ever Christians need to unite and serve Christ. Instead we are letting worldly issues come between us. What's up with that? Can't we see the forest for the trees? That is exactly what the enemy would have us do. In some cases it makes me wonder about the proclamation of their salvation, (not all but some).
Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) teaches us this:
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Don't tell me you are a Christian and talk behind my back. Don't tell me you love me and hurt me to the very quick. Don't drag my Savior into pettiness for your own gain. Why would you, how could you as a Christian? I mean what's up with that?
Monday, October 12, 2009
THE SOCIETY OF THE SELF ABSORBED
The definition of a narcissist is: Excessive self love; inordinate fascination with ones self.
The definition of an Altruist is: selflessness.
Those definitions being given, it is the opinion of this writer that we live in a narcissistic world. We are self absorbed. The prevalent condition in our society is to think mainly of self (self absorbed). Can you tell by the following list where you might fall?
1.)
Narcissist: Takes every statement made as a personal criticism
Altruist: Believes the best and always gives the benefit of the doubt if there is a question.
2.)
Narcissist: Thinks of what he (or she) wants to do on vacation, to eat for dinner, or movie to go
to.
Altruist: Asks what others want to do on vacation, to eat, or movie they would like to see.
3.)
Narcissist: Can't allow others an opinion. He (she) is just right because of who he (she) believe
themselves to be (which is always right).
Altruist: Will concede to a point even if they know for a fact they are right, to make another
feel good.
4.)
Narcissist: What others do or don't becomes about him (her).
Altruist: Thinks that there is always a reason for things and overlooks the greatest of
offenses.
5.)
Narcissist: The ultimate poor me person.
Altruist: The ultimate poor you person.
6.)
Narcissist: Asks what can you do for me?
Altruist: Asks what can I do for you?
7.)
Narcissist: Things that happen to those around him (her) or close to him (her) becomes more
about him (her) than it was about the person to which it happened.
Altruist: When things happen to those around them they try to fix the problem in every way
that brings peace to all.
I grew up in a home with one parent that leaned very heavily toward being a complete narcissist and one that leaned very heavily toward being a complete altruist. The one that was more narcissist had two parents that were narcissistic and the one that was altruist in nature had two that were very balanced between the two.
To be at peace a person needs to be balanced. Nothing is ALWAYS about you or anyone else. You cannot solve everyone else's problems. There is something you can do about both things.
The Bible teaches us in Philippians 4:4-7(NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The definition of an Altruist is: selflessness.
Those definitions being given, it is the opinion of this writer that we live in a narcissistic world. We are self absorbed. The prevalent condition in our society is to think mainly of self (self absorbed). Can you tell by the following list where you might fall?
1.)
Narcissist: Takes every statement made as a personal criticism
Altruist: Believes the best and always gives the benefit of the doubt if there is a question.
2.)
Narcissist: Thinks of what he (or she) wants to do on vacation, to eat for dinner, or movie to go
to.
Altruist: Asks what others want to do on vacation, to eat, or movie they would like to see.
3.)
Narcissist: Can't allow others an opinion. He (she) is just right because of who he (she) believe
themselves to be (which is always right).
Altruist: Will concede to a point even if they know for a fact they are right, to make another
feel good.
4.)
Narcissist: What others do or don't becomes about him (her).
Altruist: Thinks that there is always a reason for things and overlooks the greatest of
offenses.
5.)
Narcissist: The ultimate poor me person.
Altruist: The ultimate poor you person.
6.)
Narcissist: Asks what can you do for me?
Altruist: Asks what can I do for you?
7.)
Narcissist: Things that happen to those around him (her) or close to him (her) becomes more
about him (her) than it was about the person to which it happened.
Altruist: When things happen to those around them they try to fix the problem in every way
that brings peace to all.
I grew up in a home with one parent that leaned very heavily toward being a complete narcissist and one that leaned very heavily toward being a complete altruist. The one that was more narcissist had two parents that were narcissistic and the one that was altruist in nature had two that were very balanced between the two.
To be at peace a person needs to be balanced. Nothing is ALWAYS about you or anyone else. You cannot solve everyone else's problems. There is something you can do about both things.
The Bible teaches us in Philippians 4:4-7(NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Friday, October 2, 2009
HEADLINE: MEN AND WOMEN AFFECTED BY SEVERE PMS
Most of you have heard of it and all have experienced the debilitating effects of PMS. Yes Poor Me Syndrome is spreading across the world like frogs in the Egyptian plagues of old.
Take me for instance! I am probably one of the most blessed women I have ever known, but have been suffering profusely from Poor Me Syndrome of late. Here are just two examples:
Last Friday we were getting ready to have a garage sale and my husband, through absolutely no malicious intent whatsoever, suggested we sell something that I had made in high school and my mother had gone to great lengths to keep for me. I immediately started to cry, but after a short prayer realized that it was just a thing after all and most likely fit into the category of a treasure laid up on this earth. BUT that is not the end of the story. You see later that day I continued to pine over the incident telling my daughter-in-law that NO ONE ever remembered anything that was just about me and swore her to secrecy about my feelings.
Monday morning arrived and my husband and I are sitting in the office with the radio on. A song came on that played on the first date (and only date) we had before we were married, he rose from the desk and said this is our song do you want to dance?
Now having stretched back out from the one inch size that brought me down to, brings us to last night.
I had been telling the same two people that I felt abandoned by all of my friends, and no one ever wanted to just get together and be with us. Now that was bad enough, but when it came to my prayer time, I told God basically the same thing and said, "God, if I have even one friend please let them contact me tomorrow." ARE YOU CRINGING YET?
Two thirty in the morning arrives and it is burning up in our bedroom. I ask my hubby if he wants to go in the office a while to cool down. So that is what we did and that is when things get started.
First I checked my email and a blog I usually look at about half way through the day by O.S. Hillman was already posted, so I went in to look at it. The reference to the scripture was about the story of the garden and Jesus asking His disciples (also known as his friends) to just stay up with Him while He prayed so they wouldn't fall into temptation (they fell asleep) Luke 22:41-46, one of the twelve betrayed Him unto death with a kiss Luke 22:48, then there was Peter denying Him three times Luke 22:55-62, and finally Jesus ultimately dying on the cross alone all who knew him and followed stood at a distance watching Luke 23:49.
It was as though the Lord were saying to me, who are you to gripe about ANYTHING? (He always makes me laugh and cry at the same time. So convicting and shows me my smallness too!)
These two incidents are maybe the smallest of all of the trials in my life right now, but because I was feeling sorry for myself, they had become monsters in my life. There are no sufferings or trials we have that Christ Himself did not suffer with the agony of all of us together. We cannot begin to perceive the depth of anxiety He must have felt.
What we can experience is the depth of His love and forgiveness daily. All we have to do is ask. By the way, a friend did get in touch early this morning and ask us to just come be with them for an evening. So when you are experiencing Poor Me Syndrome just remember GOD ANSWERS BEFORE WE EVEN ASK! PRAISE HIM TODAY AND FOREVER or the rocks will! Amen.
Take me for instance! I am probably one of the most blessed women I have ever known, but have been suffering profusely from Poor Me Syndrome of late. Here are just two examples:
Last Friday we were getting ready to have a garage sale and my husband, through absolutely no malicious intent whatsoever, suggested we sell something that I had made in high school and my mother had gone to great lengths to keep for me. I immediately started to cry, but after a short prayer realized that it was just a thing after all and most likely fit into the category of a treasure laid up on this earth. BUT that is not the end of the story. You see later that day I continued to pine over the incident telling my daughter-in-law that NO ONE ever remembered anything that was just about me and swore her to secrecy about my feelings.
Monday morning arrived and my husband and I are sitting in the office with the radio on. A song came on that played on the first date (and only date) we had before we were married, he rose from the desk and said this is our song do you want to dance?
Now having stretched back out from the one inch size that brought me down to, brings us to last night.
I had been telling the same two people that I felt abandoned by all of my friends, and no one ever wanted to just get together and be with us. Now that was bad enough, but when it came to my prayer time, I told God basically the same thing and said, "God, if I have even one friend please let them contact me tomorrow." ARE YOU CRINGING YET?
Two thirty in the morning arrives and it is burning up in our bedroom. I ask my hubby if he wants to go in the office a while to cool down. So that is what we did and that is when things get started.
First I checked my email and a blog I usually look at about half way through the day by O.S. Hillman was already posted, so I went in to look at it. The reference to the scripture was about the story of the garden and Jesus asking His disciples (also known as his friends) to just stay up with Him while He prayed so they wouldn't fall into temptation (they fell asleep) Luke 22:41-46, one of the twelve betrayed Him unto death with a kiss Luke 22:48, then there was Peter denying Him three times Luke 22:55-62, and finally Jesus ultimately dying on the cross alone all who knew him and followed stood at a distance watching Luke 23:49.
It was as though the Lord were saying to me, who are you to gripe about ANYTHING? (He always makes me laugh and cry at the same time. So convicting and shows me my smallness too!)
These two incidents are maybe the smallest of all of the trials in my life right now, but because I was feeling sorry for myself, they had become monsters in my life. There are no sufferings or trials we have that Christ Himself did not suffer with the agony of all of us together. We cannot begin to perceive the depth of anxiety He must have felt.
What we can experience is the depth of His love and forgiveness daily. All we have to do is ask. By the way, a friend did get in touch early this morning and ask us to just come be with them for an evening. So when you are experiencing Poor Me Syndrome just remember GOD ANSWERS BEFORE WE EVEN ASK! PRAISE HIM TODAY AND FOREVER or the rocks will! Amen.
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