Hey Preacher, You Said If I Did This Then...!

This is an entry that took time for me not to write from emotion but from the Word of God. I figured if I felt like this at one time, there had to be more then just me feeling the same way. The purpose in writing this is not to pacify the flesh, which would be the only reason for thinking that you are owed something for being a Christian and doing what is right in the sight of God, but for you to see the truth and to be set free from the obstacles that is keeping you from obtaining all that God has for you.

In going to the altar, or at your bedside or in your living room after hearing a message on television or where ever you were in accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior you were immediately put into the family expecting to go to heaven in the day of His return (Romans 10:9 AMP). You then realize (some sooner then later), that you have to know more of this life you just chose to live. What is expected of you? What is it that you need to change to be a true believer (Matthew 6:33 AMP)? What is all of the joy that other believers are talking about (Romans 14:17 KJV)? How can you learn more about this Jesus that now is Lord over your life (Mark 8:34 KJV)?

Weren't these the questions you had when first coming into the knowledge of the truth? There had to be more after you thought you were doing all that you were supposed to be doing only to find out that there was even more and then some more and then just a little bit more until you can get to where everyone else seems to be. When did you get fed up? Are you fed up now? What are your options? Are you tempted to go back out into the world? Do they (sinners) have it better then where you are now (Proverbs 23:17 KJV)? What happened? Where is the peaceful life in abundance that was promised to you (Colossians 3:15 AMP)? Did the preacher mean that's what was going to happen when you get to heaven? Well, what about now? Do you have direction now (Isaiah 32:17 KJV)?

It is a frustrating state of affairs especially when the whole reason acceptance into salvation was agreed upon was through fear. You know, the fire and brimstone message (2 Timothy 1:7 AMP). It is why there are so many that start to have a wondering eye (Proverbs 6:24-26 AMP). The message preached wasn't preached from the foundation of who God is - Love (1 John 4:8 AMP). There has to be love radiating from each message that a minister preaches otherwise he/she is on their own personal agenda to manipulate those that will hear. If it is not to increase volunteers, then it is to increase what is given in offering or to guilt those to go and witness to increase attendance. Without knowing why you feel like going back into the world, read the following and be encouraged. God sees you and His love is still there watching over you. Don't turn your back on Him because of the foolishness of men. Keep reading and guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23 AMP).

Why ministers preach what they do.
The textbook answer is, ministers have the assignment to feed the sheep of the Lord. Seeing that the Lord prepared the table in Psalm 23, the only way for the minister then to feed the sheep is through the Lord. The minister then must spend time in prayer, studying he Word, and getting to know the community around him/her in order to do the job by which he/she was assigned (Luke 2:46-49 AMP). This assignment has to come from the very One that prepared the table. If not then the so-called minister isn't there to feed the sheep what is needed. The sustenance would be tainted, fluff, and not nourishing. Why? Because it did not come from the Lord. How would the congregant (the sheep) know this? More on that later.

Why the message affects you the way it does.
God is omniscient, omni-present, and omni-potent. He sees all. He knows all. He is all. Because of this, He sees what you need and when you need it. When the minister, a true believer, accepts his assignment to do as he is called to, he receives the message from the Lord because of his obedience (Romans 6:16 AMP). When he stands at the pulpit to administer the Word, it is because he took the time in prayer and heard from God through Christ Jesus. That Word was specifically created for you. Those that hear will hear what God is saying specifically. It is the administration of spiritual food that the Lord prepared in Psalm 23. God sees your heart and what you are ready to receive. You receive more because you are obedient. This obedience equips you to get more (Luke 16:10 AMP). Blessings are abound and continually come as you mature in Him and are willing to not be a hearer only (James 1:22 AMP).

What you must look for in order for you to obtain what God has for you in the messages spoken.
Many people will listen to a sermon and assume that the message was specifically for him/her and they have to act immediately. They have this sense within. No one knows what this person is going through but that person and God. Some went to the extreme when thinking to act upon a given message. It fared well for some and not so much for others. Because of those that didn't fare well, this is why I am writing. The message specifically spoken for you has to come from the Word. It is the only truth we can trust. God will not ask us to do anything that is not written. Even then, you must have a sense of peace in order to act upon whatever you believe the Lord is telling you. If there is a question, go to Him in prayer (Proverbs 3:6 AMP). It isn't a sin to ask. If you don't believe you have the answer that you seek, seek Christian Counseling. There is no sin in this either. If you still don't have assurance, wait and allow for patience to have her perfect work (James 1:4 AMP). God will still be pleased because you are operating by faith through the Word of God (Hebrews 11:6 AMP). You also must be one who studies the Word. If you don't know what a blessing is, it doesn't mean that it won't come. In order for you to know who you are in Christ, you must study. This will not only enable you to recognize the blessing but it will also assist you in hearing a message and know which part was specifically designed for you to make changes in your life.

How you are supposed to come away from the church service attended.
The Word tells us that it is there for our edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3 KJV). To be edified is to realize that because of the message you know exactly where to make some improvements in your life. The instruction was clear and you have received direction.
To be exhorted is being corrected for wrong behavior. It may not have felt good but you know it was good for you and to your advantage to take heed and make those changes in your life.
Comfort would seem obvious; nevertheless, we already have the Comforter with us. It is who Jesus left us with in the form of the Holy Spirit. The comforting of the Holy Spirit continues when receiving messages from the Word of God. Its as if there was a cup that needed to be filled with water. Now that we have it, the message only makes the cup brim over (2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP).

Where the messages are coming from and how you can tell the difference.
People are people, as my children have told me. When led to a particular ministry to hear the Word of God, it is not unusual that the speaker may have had a trying day or night before preaching the message. It is not unheard of that there are those that have tests, temptations, and trials that have been passed or have failed. There are distractions and those calling themselves friends which have later proven to be an enemy. If this has happened in your life, why would we not think that the pastor, preacher, minister, evangelist, apostle, or bishop have not gone through the same things? Personally, I have believed that once entering into the clergy, I expected for these people to have overcome much more then I have to still go through. How else can they teach me to get out of it? Nevertheless, I have since taken people from the clergy off of the pedestal I hoisted them up on. We are called to be responsible to listen intently and not rush to do everything that is coming from the pulpit (James 1:19 AMP). We are to watch to see how often the scriptures are used and in what context. We are to ask questions and take the lesson in prayer to see how it applies and where to use it. If the sermon has no scripture reference, prayer is paramount because we know this minister is going through something or is about to receive a severe punishment (James 5:16 AMP).

When attending church services, be quick to listen. The singing of praise is intentional to wash all of that which was on your mind before entering the edifice. Once the praise service is complete, most ministries go into a worship service to enter the Holy Spirit in. By this time, most of us have our hearts and minds where they should be (Philippians 4:7 AMP). When coming to service late, this is what is missed. You would think that you could hear the Word and skip these vital portions of the service. The truth of the matter is, without worship and praise, it takes that much longer for you to get acclimated to receive what God has for you. Whether it is retained is another matter altogether. Worship and praise is a God idea in ministry (Psalm 111:10 AMP). To forgo it is like a small fox chewing at the sapling you are desperately trying to grow (Song of Solomon 2:15 AMP).

The message in of itself is the food by which all of us need in order to function in our day to day activities. It must begin, continue, and end with the truth in order for us to be truly set free. Testimonials solidify or make "real" the verses of scripture spoken for some of us and visual aids are a mark that the speaker really studied and considered who he/she would be speaking to. Interpretations of the Word can get sketchy and this is where prayer before coming to church is necessary. A woman expressed to me that the man or woman of God assigned to speak to the congregation has received revelation knowledge that the listeners or viewers aren't privy to. We must adhere to whatever is being said because of the gift they have in receiving this revelation knowledge. The problem with that sort of thinking is, that it sounds good and people pick that up and run with it believing it to be the truth. Yet in the Word, He tells us that the listeners are anointed too. We are led in the Spirit too. The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth and tells us things to come too (John 16:13 AMP). So how is someone supposed to be getting something from God and it cannot be confirmed in His Word? I will tell you how - it is a lie, that's how. Revelation knowledge is knowledge that has been received from God and can be expounded upon through His Word. It is not confusing (1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV). It is not anything to cause strife. It is not for the purposes of debate. It is soaked in where it has come from - the Prince of Peace. If you do not receive peace from it, it is not revelation knowledge to you. Let it go.

My youngest son called me yesterday because he was having a discussion with one of his co-workers about God and His Word. The co-worker asked a question that had my son in a quandary as how to answer it. It sounded good but was it? He didn't know what to say. He called me and asked me in such a way that I could hear how puzzled he was and I also heard why he didn't know the answer already. He could have been in a rush to get to work on time and skipped out on spending any time with the Creator of all (he knows better then that). I also heard in that question that his study time is lacking (he knew that as well). I answered his question in as few of sentences as I could. He had the answer, just needed reminding. My point being, once the message is received, we all have the responsibility to use that Word as a part of our daily lives. It is rhema. It is what removes the old for the new to exist. It is what we have when we turn from those wicked ways. We cannot keep coming to Sunday morning services expecting God to do what we won't do for ourselves. Make the effort to use the Word for everything and see the differences He will make in your life. God is good. Therefore the outcome has to be the sum total of who He is.

Presenting This Body As A Living Sacrifice

The title is from a verse in scripture (Romans 12;1 KJV). It is something to meditate on if you really think about it. Border lining on the stories of the volcano gods (or whatever gods used in the story) needing a virgin from the village as a sacrifice so the village could be spared, the scripture's meaning is for life for all that believe. Nevertheless, the virgin, in the stories, is usually dressed in white with flowers in her hair and unsuspecting as to why she had to be dressed especially ethereal on this day. I suppose it wasn't the fact that no one was answering her questions when they were chanting as they dressed her for the ritual. And I suppose she really never thought it strange of all of the villagers chanting a tune she doesn't know the words to. So when the blood curdling shrill escapes from her body, a noise she never used before, was when she saw the pile of sticks on top of a raging fire, rope at the ready to tie the sacrifice, and all of her friends and neighbors looking at her with all sorts of different expressions - then she realizes that the  sacrifice is her.

Isn't it funny that the villagers would be so willing to give someone else up rather then themselves? If really thought about, I suppose all of the women had to become promiscuous so not to ever be offered as a sacrifice. Therefore, what would be the purpose of having such an evil god lording over the village waiting for another innocent soul to be killed if none were virgins? Someone had to have figured it out, but then who would the villagers have as a god? Who or what would they worship that wouldn't demand so much from them? The better question, why would they have to create something that is already here? Does the Almighty God demand too much? Does He expect more then what people are willing to sacrifice? Could villagers from all of those mythical stories have been derived from how people are now (1 Timothy 1:4 AMP)?

In presenting our body as a living sacrifice, the verse is continued with it being holy and acceptable unto God. Therefore even after we make the presentation, it must have two distinguishable attributes...actually one in order to be acceptable. He has told us to be thou holy for I am holy (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). How can this happen? He is God? Having made man in His image, we must then be more like Him to have what Adam had before the fall of man (Romans 5:12-19 AMP). Adam was clothed with God's glory. How do we get to that point? Would you desire to?

Unlike the virgins in the mythical stories, we made up our minds to be a living sacrifice when we believed that Jesus died for our sins (Romans 10:10 KJV). Are we obligated to do anything in return? Would it be an obligation (James 1:25 AMP)? Do we not love Him unconditionally? Do we at least love Him because He first loved us? Have we not asked the question, what more can I do for You Jesus? Isn't it the reason we volunteer and help in the various ministries, feed the hungry, cloth the poor, and administer to the widows and unwed mothers? We give and give because it is the character of what Jesus did for us. It is His character to give. With Him being the greater One on the inside of each of us, we can't help but to do the same. This is a sacrifice. A sacrifice of our time, finances, our education, and skills (Matthew 6:21 AMP). Doing these things is pleasing to God. It is a body of work.

The same verse has also been interpreted as sacrificing our physical bodies. From being physically out of shape to trying to explain why one would have sickness and disease much too often, could also be true as being a living sacrifice. Someone who is obese gives the believer a huge test not to see the person as vile or nasty yet with another who is not overweight but with an illness that the doctor's cannot cure has been made socially acceptable. In the eyes of God, would either be accepted when presenting their bodies (Matthew 7:16-20 AMP)?

Doctors have found that obesity causes problems with the heart, circulation, respiration, arthritis, bone fractures, reproduction, and hormonal to name a few. All of these conditions root out to other problems that arise such as diabetes, gout, edema, thrombosis and more besides. It is also reported that because of the storage of fat for long periods (years), cancer is more susceptible. With all of this looming over the overweight individual, why would anyone just accept the size that he or she has become? Aside from certain people liking men and women with a little meat on their bones, the health of the individual is in question. When there becomes a condition impeding the quality of life, sacrifices must be made in order for the individual to be made sound, whole and complete. Sickness takes away the quality of life Jesus sacrificed His life for.

Nevertheless, people who are not overweight have left this earth much too soon with the same ailments described previously. What would cause for them to turn the quality of life around? Is it as simple as it would be for the over weight believer? Is it as easy as turning away from the dinner table?

Who said that is what the obese believer has to do to come out of the condition he/she is in? To present one's physical body as a living sacrifice, whether obese or not but with a physical ailment, the answer is the same as one with mental illness. If one keeps his/her heart and mind stayed on Him, because the trust is only in Him, then peace is the result (Isaiah 26:3 KJV). Each and everyone of us will be accountable for the life we live. What has been magnified will be evident in how we live. If it is more important for a person to have breakfast first thing in the morning and for every meal to be at the time that is designated with snacks in between, then the trust has been made in the food and not the one that caused the food to exist. If it is more important to make that business deal from the time one gets up and continues to make that money even while sleeping which gives the person a false sense of comfort in doing, when the deals all fall through and a heart attack is the result, it is because the trust was focused on the root of all evil rather then the One who gave the ability to wake up that particular morning. If it becomes more important to please people, who will change as the seasons change, rather then be pleasing to the One that created the people; then when a dissatisfied supervisor forgets all of the brown nosing but gives you blame for all of the wrong done in the office, a psychotic break is expected.

You see it is difficult to continue to do under anyone else's expectations  - even our own, but God asks for us to be one thing, holy. The only reason anyone would think this as being difficult is because he/she doesn't know Him. Jesus said follow me for My burden is easy and yoke is light (Matthew 11:30 KJV). It is easy to acknowledge Him first when waking in the morning (Proverbs 3:6 KJV). It is Him who has given you the ability to do this or that. Just give thanks...everyday (1 Thessalonians 5:16 KJV). Once it becomes a habit, move to the next thing. It is like taking your first steps into walking upright in Him. How hard is that?

Follow Who?

When I had the understanding of salvation under my belt, I needed to know what was expected of me in the form of change. I couldn't possibly remain in the same state that I was in not after knowing what has been done for me (Matthew 6:33 KJV). Now what was I suppose to do for Him (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)? Consider that it took some doing for me to accept that I needed salvation. When I was first asked, I said without hesitation, "no". I didn't like what this new found "Christianity" principle were doing to people especially when I thought he/she was cool before they even knew who Jesus was (Luke 18:18-28 AMP). After they started to profess Christianity, their whole demeanor seemed like the love children of the 60's and frankly it was freaking me out. No, No, No, I said to the greasy looking minister in the light blue polyester leisure suit - No! Course, I was 12 at the time.

Since then, along with the way I look, my overall view on life, experience, skills, an education in the public school system, a college education, and attending church services regularly, I am a changed person. What I use to think as a child is completely different as to what I think now. How I see people is differently. Who I trust and listen to is not without much scrutiny, which is something that is taught by adults or learned through trial and error (Proverbs 2:5 KJV). Change has come about in many different ways and I am still in the process of being more like Him rather than speaking from emotion, reacting to every action that is sought against me, and listening more intently then ever before (Ephesians2:1-22 AMP) . These changes have made me a more calm, happier person, and I like it.

Wouldn't this also be true in the Spirit? What I mean to write is, what we learned as children in Sunday school or if attending church service later in life, we learned somethings that held fast to our life style. Yes, Jesus loves us and we love others - this is without question. Is there a limit? Do we put up boundaries to this love that has been richly given to us. And if not, when do we say when? Won't people take advantage if we don't. Is there a tough love in Christ? If there is, show it to me in the Word of God. The answer, even if found in the scripture, would then constitute more change for us to do (Luke 10:26-28 KJV).

This post took me a little while to put up because I had to stop being so angry of the years that have passed with me admiring men and women of God that have taught me only to find that they hadn't really believed what  they were teaching. What would you call it if the very person teaching the principles of God in order to stay in fellowship is wrapped up in all sorts of scandal (1 Timothy3:1-13 KJV)? If it isn't scandal then its a phrase that happened to slip out while ministering the Word. Babies in Christ may not have caught those little tid-bits in their spiritual food because they are babies and their trust is in who they see. But when you come into the knowledge of the truth and start putting aside the milk of the Word and start chomping down in the meat of some things, faith at work is what is seen more and more. Scrutiny in those tid-bits becomes a ministry in of itself and is a responsibility for you to watch out for them and pray for that minister. I don't know if the scandal is a direct result in the constant disobedience of the minister or the harvest of a congregation not praying. What I do know it has an affect on the spiritual growth of the church because it had an affect on me (James 3:3-18 AMP).

Let me paint a hypothetical picture for you. A pastor of a rather large church states that it is a man's responsibility to protect his family. He stated the weapons of warfare to the congregation and then says what was the weapon of choice in biblical times was the sword (2 Corinthians 3-5 AMP). These days we use a gun. He went on stating things of this nature until it became common knowledge that if you approach this pastor it would be best that you come correct rather then in any state of confrontation. I found this disturbing on so many levels but I waited to see if he was going to have an epiphany and change some things for the sake of those who never carried a gun and was set on doing everything the pastor does to get what the pastor has. You know there are people who think this way - don't you? That didn't happen, well not when I was attending those services. What did happen was in my previous place of employment, one of the teenage girls that I looked after as a youth specialist, was devastated at the death of well known rapper, Tupak Shakur. She cried and the rest of the girls residing there with her chimed in with their grief. It was reported that their beloved idol was murdered and the police didn't have any leads at the time. While they speculated as to what happened, I wasn't in any sort of emotional state at what I heard and was slightly irritated that the staff was allowing the regular routine to be disturbed over the foolishness of this one singer that spoke of violence and justified his behavior in that lifestyle set to music. It was as if they were indulging these girls to behave in the same manner as a tribute to this man, so I spoke without thought to their grief but maintain the routine of the day, "you live by the sword, you die by the sword." It all of a sudden became quiet. Not staff or the children said anything. Just when the silence became almost deafening, the very girl that started the grief process bellowed out in such defiance, "how can you say that?! You don't understand! You don't know what he has been through!" She went on and on with some other things. I just stopped listening to her and the other girls did as well going on with their day. Once they did, so did staff. That one girl continued to grieve and listen to the radio as they played Tupak's music over and over as memorandum. Then the disc-jockey spoke low and somber in recognition of this music icon. Just before playing another song, he stated the very same scripture that I did  (Matthew 26:52 AMP). That girl jumped up out of her bed and came looking for me. She was smiling and apologetic. I asked what brought about the change and she mentioned what the disc jokey said. Now, she was able to function and the grief was complete for her as well.

Change came about for the teenage girl. Would that also be true for a minister who has committed himself to serving the Lord by way of passing a message to lead a group of people to live a better life that would be pleasing unto God? Would that be true if the same group of people decide to live by the sword - in this case, by the gun? Jesus walked through throngs of people that looked to harm him because he made them think about Him being the Messiah. How dare He, they all thought and so they looked to kill Him. But because of the calling that is on His life to be Lord and Savior, He knew it was not His time yet (John 7:1-6 KJV). It would be in God's time. So because of that trust, that faith, that assurance in Him, there was no need for Jesus to walk with any weapons to defend Himself against what He said or had done. He was to go about His Father's business knowing that it was Him who was going to control the matter for His good. Why wouldn't ministers have this kind of faith and if they don't, how then are they suppose to teach a congregation of people to behave in such a manner that not even the ministers are willing to do?

The extramarital affairs of the ministers, the illegitimate children that came from them, the double lives, embezzling funds from the church, the accusations of drug usage, sex offenders of children, and all of the other dirty secrets that have been hidden over the years but have not come to the light as of yet, still coming to the pulpit and telling the faithful people what they should and shouldn't do with the utmost conviction. It isn't until the secret behavior is reported for public knowledge, then there comes the remorse and that we are expected to forgive and allow for bygones to be bygones. Would that it could be all that simple. We all have to go through change to be more and more like Him. Forgiving a minister or clergy that was misplaced on a pedestal and not having the expectation of said clergy to ever make a mistake is a wound that takes longer to heal then it would if actually stabbed (Matthew 19:26 KJV). God sees him/her trying to make a horrific matter into distant memory but along with those efforts, he/she also has to recover from not placing anyone that high ever again - unless it is God (Deuteronomy 5:7 KJV). No one deserves to be in that position but Him.

Change comes quick with some things and much longer with others. It takes only a mere 18 years to change a child into an adult- on the outside. It might take longer for the change to happen for the child to function as an adult when keeping in mind any other factors like outside influence, faith in God as opposed to parents having their own issues, liking one's self, loving others, and so forth and so on. People being what we are and who we are, this is even more of a reason to be patient as others have been with you. The Word is there for those impasses when patience is being tested and not for just using pretty words when it seems necessary. If you truly live by this kind of sword, your life will be full of prospects and opportunity. It is, after all, what pleases Him (Psalm 35:27 AMP).

Remember The Sabbath

One of the scriptures that served as a means for me to be bothered was, "be ye holy for I am holy (1 Peter 1;16 KJV)." How can we be? God is God and forever more. He is always good. Would that be true for any of us? Even Jesus said, "why callest thou me good (Matthew 19:17 KJV)?" Let someone do something unseemingly and wouldn't that person, if nothing else, get the nastiest look you could conjure up  from your face using every single muscle you can. It could be worse, but you were only thinking it (Proverbs 23:7 KJV). Well the Word says that your heart is evil then (Luke 6:45 KJV). The mere thought of doing someone harm and not just going over and giving them a big hug or a huge financial blessing is not being the righteousness of God. Isn't it? Which of us is willing to do that especially after they have either attacked your child, or keyed your car, or caused you to lose your job? How holy are you feeling to do what you know to do is right (James 4:17 KJV)?

There are some things I have seen in the body of Christ that I wish I never saw. Yet, it served a purpose for me to pray and never to do the same thing lest I fall into the same pit. Still, for the sake of this blog, I have mentioned major acts of unrighteousness (afore mentioned) that we ought to know to change in our lives. We know to walk in love in all that we do no matter what the flesh feels like doing. Its those tiny things that we overlook and happen to grow into some major stuff that we have no idea where the fruit of the matter comes from. It is because of those tiny things that have grown, I write this entry.

I can write from personal experience my own mistakes that I had to change and never thought I was doing wrong until I received the punishment of the act. It was said over the pulpit that there was a need for volunteers for this program and for that. We know that there is a select few in ministry that just seem to do everything. You know from which I write: you see them all of the time every where in the church doing one thing or another. You think, "wow she is really a faithful and loyal member." Or, "I wish I had the time to do more then what I am doing." Or, "isn't such-and-such here anymore, why doesn't he do it?" Personally, I started feeling guilty as if I was doing enough and it just seemed like everyone else was getting more blessed then I was, so I started volunteering in doing all sorts of stuff. I wasn't competing with anyone just working more then I ever thought I needed to. I didn't realize how many things I volunteered for until I had to take some time off for my physical health.

In taking that time off, I still couldn't rest because I had in my mind that they needed me and no one else could do the kind of work that I do. I know that because I couldn't let it go. As a result, different things began to happen to me financially and physically. First, my upper thigh started to get numb. I didn't know what it was. I went to the doctor, and he had no clue. I prayed and went about my business. I then was entangled in some mess at work, where I was terminated from my job. Even the CEO didn't believe I should have lost my position but acted as if she couldn't do anything about it. Still, I remained faithful in church and volunteering in all of those positions I signed up for. I wouldn't lose hope and remained happy that at least I woke up this morning and could do my very best for the Lord. My car was totaled in an accident and now I couldn't get around to do what I was doing before. Nope, I girded myself up and took public transportation still completing the tasks I signed up for. My son was able to replace my car and I continued on. In assisting someone else, I got out of the car I just received and shooting pain rode up the side of my hip and settled in the small of my back. Every time I took a step, there it was again. It was a night or two and laying in the bed with a heating pad, vibrating pad, one of those massaging wooden ball things - but nothing was helping. It took another three days before I could stand and walk without pain. I prayed and kept asking God, "what is going on?"  He answered me, but I couldn't hear Him - I had too many things to do. And then the car my son gave to me was hit in the back and a few weeks later, stolen.

You see, right here, even as I am writing this, I have the tiniest desire to write profanity... right here, right now. It has been almost 4 years when this happened and it is still as fresh as if it happened yesterday. Unemployed, no car, using the last of my savings, couldn't pay my bills and had to move in with family members - it was all so humiliating! I gave up the positions I volunteered for. I barely had enough money to get around on public transportation. Things had changed in the church I was attending and couldn't even get a ride to attend Sunday services much less in the middle of the week. I didn't call anyone to ask for advise because to me it would have been some mundane panacea Christian drivel. You know the kind of words someone says to capsulize everything. No matter what you say it is as if you were allowed to vent and the end result of the solution given back to you is: "well, God doesn't give you more then you can handle." Or, "your faith is being tested right now." Or, "stand strong, your blessing is right around the corner." None of those words help the situation. That isn't counseling and if you (counselor, pastor, preacher, evangelist, teacher, prophet) don't have a Word from the Lord in the matter, don't say anything!

On television, I was watching this pastor this morning teach a lesson on a matter that people really need help with. In the lesson, he listed a number of scriptures for the listener to repeat over and over for the situation to change in their lives. Well, I was at the ready to jot down the bible verses only he interjected  the subject matter in the bible verse. I had to stop, remembering in my own studying, that we are not to change one word, not even a tiddle of what the scripture says (Revelation 22:18 AMP). Just adding in something having the hope that this will help, isn't good enough. I don't care where his heart is. I know that saying something that man thinks will make the world of difference in someone's life without taking the matter before the Lord is a means for error to come about. I have been there and am glad to be delivered. Having good intentions without God isn't good at all (Hebrews 3:7-19 KJV).

So while I am here in this residence being willed to rest instead of finding some other position to volunteer for, I had to take in account what I was doing when I should have been resting on the Sabbath as well. For as long as I could remember when growing up, my mother had my siblings and I do the major house cleaning on Saturday and then on Sunday we went to church. Coming back from church, we were allowed to read the Sunday comics and our own books but we couldn't go outside and play... not on Sunday. It was the Lord's day. I don't know when I got out of doing this habit, even with my own children. I suppose because my husband, their father, wasn't raised the same way. And though he professed Christianity, what was paramount  to him to honor God was not at all the same with me. When we divorced, I started teaching my children the importance of helping in the church and quite honestly, I took the volunteering as a means of worship and honoring God, even on the Sabbath.

Residing in the Jewish community, there are some things that they do that is too ritualistic for my taste and a means of bondage; however, when it comes to honoring God on the Sabbath day, I must write, I am impressed. They will make preparation on Friday to have things in order for the Sabbath Day. Their day of rest begins at sun down on Friday night to sun down on Saturday night. They have made food before hand so not to work on that day or they decide to fast. They have torn toilet paper squares so not to make any more effort then they have to for their own convenience in honoring God. Most of the time after temple, they stay indoors. If for whatever reason they have to go do something outside of their home, they walk and try to avoid anything electronic (like department store doors or lights) that come on automatically because of their presence. I recall a family standing at the door and waiting for someone to open the door for them without them asking for it to be done - just to honor God. At first I thought it was ridiculous to go through such extreme, but what else can we do for Him? Its like wanting to purchase someone a gift who has more money then they know what to do with.What do buy for that person? You have to be really creative to surprise him/her and every year it becomes increasingly more difficult to do. What can you do for God? As I watch these people go and do all of these things in remembering the Sabbath and teaching their children to do the same, I look and these people live long lives and want for nothing.

When God tells us to choose life, do we do all we can to get the benefit of having such a gift? Do we give Him all of the honor for being the Almighty that He is (1 Corinthians 6:9-12 MSG)?

I Love You ... But, Don't Get Fat!

I had a conversation with my son that ignited this blog. Ignited is a really, really nice word to describe such the discussion. I suppose I was caught off guard with what he said because of all the time I have spent in teaching my children what is right and wrong and how to treat others, I assumed that they understood judging by what they convey to me and what they say to other people. I was even pleased with my younger son who received the compliment that he thinks far above his age. Good, they have it and no one can come and teach them any nonsense that would take them away from Kingdom Living.  Then my son goes ahead and says something like the title of this blog. Profanity was not my reaction; however, it might as well have been when the results were something like, "Why in God's name would you say something so stupid?"

Having never been a single numbered dress size when my age was no longer a single digit, I take certain subjects personally. I got over people deciding to give me diet advice or telling me that I looked so good way back when but did not have these wonderful words back then when I could have used them. I no longer feel the need to please others with what I look like knowing that no matter how hard I try to be a certain size or weight, there will always be someone who thinks I could lose a few more pounds or not to get too small so I won't look sickly. A person can just go nuts if he/she bases their overall happiness on what they should look like. Yet when these same people continue to speak thinking  they are doing more good then harm and then I have to hear it from my children who I know was taught well (based on the Word of God), now that's territory that can make the lioness come out in every mother and send out a roar that could put goose bumps on a goose. How dare you!

I have heard message after message not just from well known ministers but those who are not so well known just berate women with what they look like and where they need to tighten up. I suppose they got tired of hearing those talk shows bash men and the only way they felt to even things out is make it a forum on the pulpit. Again, I write, how dare you, knowing how speakers of God can influence people. Knowing that God gave the platform to feed His sheep and not a means to feed the flesh. Knowing that the tongue has been described as evil that no man can tame (James 3:8 KJV)... how dare you! How dare you manipulate young minds because your wife made you angry and said something she shouldn't have said. How dare you make it your place to get revenge on a group of people that creates half of the population because of something that has happened in your past. How dare you use the blessing of God for ill gotten gain.

Let's go over the statement in of itself. I love you is a phrase used to express the care one has for another. God in His awesomeness and almighty power is first and foremost described as being what we use to express that care. He is Love (1 John 4:8 KJV). When said for the first time, we have to stop to react. It took a lot to say it and for most of us it takes a lot to receive. It is a powerful statement and best to be used at the most appropriate times. It is also what Jesus tells the disciples that all of the Law and prophets can hang on the expression of loving God with all you have and your neighbor as you would yourself (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV). It is a phrase that means so much and should never be taken lightly or used casually. Yet the very next word after this wonderful phrase is the word, "but". It opposes everything that was said prior to using it. Therefore, I love you, was wasted and the command, "don't get fat," stood alone without comfort, support, or care. It is under the disguise of concern about the overall health of the individual. HA!

It is a blatant and blunt expression that the concern for the individual is threading on looks. It is a thread that isn't woven with anything else and therefore is extremely fragile. It can snap at the change of anything that threatens what someone sees. How does this have anything to do with faith?

Granted, I will agree that the health of an individual and the weight one carries is something to go before the Lord with, its just never, ever something that is a bargaining chip for a relationship, marriage, or to obtain some superficial desire. If a person carries extra pounds when a friendship begins, there has to be something that was attractive in order for that friendship to exist at all. Why then does it become a means to control and make the person feel insecure? Should the person needing to lose a few extra pounds then retaliate and speak on those issues of you not having parents when growing up or those fears of catching some unknown disease by which there is no cure? Weight is an issue everyone can see but what about those wounds that no one sees unless shared with others. Consider your ways.

I suppose such a statement which entitles this blog is said because of seeing someone else after so many years. For instance, at a family reunion or just happen to see a person from high school after 20 or so years. I have seen such people and yes they are different looking. Whether it is weight, hair loss, from puny to muscle bound or from rags to riches. People change over a given period of time. Some people look the same as they did in high school but their perspective and outlook on life is vastly different then when they were a child. With all of this change, what does the viewer see when looking at you? Will you work diligently in maintaining the outward appearance while the inner man is completely neglected? Do you have the stature of a king and the heart of a coward?

I recall a man having a contract with his new wife for her to look the same as she did when they first got married. Oddly enough, she agreed to it. In the agreement they were to both check the other when they saw extra pounds on the other person. How long did this agreement last when he was predisposed to weight because of his family gene pool and for his love of sweet treats? How long would she care when she had three of his children and had to lose the weight after each pregnancy? Would this agreement begin many quarrels? Would it end the insecurity of never being able to look as they both did in their 20's? I failed to mention that they are both in ministry. With this agreement of sight walking, would it impede the information God has for them to speak to His people?

What does that statement mean? There is a condition to the love given. If you love me, I mean truly love me, then it doesn't matter how I look. Because of the unconditionally love, he/she will care for him/herself. It is an automatic because of the cyclical motion of who God is and how He is invited in the relationship first an foremost. He, and apparently only He, is unconditional.