Jeopardy

One of the things that I believe has become a cliche in sermons as well as in articles is beginning the information with a definition. It just slows down the process for the reader to get the information. Shall I write as if you don't understand? Will it be as if going through grade school again? Won't it be frustrating for you? Do you think its annoying for teachers to go over the same lessons as they had done before only to see their students in Summer school to learn it again? Its as if all of their efforts was for nothing. Do you think God thinks like that? Parents know they have to go over lessons again and again for their children to understand. Therefore, it can't be unusual and has to be a part of the learning process. Phew! It makes me feel better and explains so much in my own life. What about you?

As you recall in many of these entries, I made up my mind not to look at so many news stories. At the end of an hour or so, its just depressing. It doesn't make me more aware of the current events because there is always someone at the ready to tell of the bad news that was reported the night before. For instance, when a city's mayor was in all sorts of scandal, I believe that's when I stopped watching the news. I couldn't understand, why they gave this man so much press when he proved himself over and over again to be a crook. Then a pastor welcomed him in the church so he could further embarrass himself. He used God in his soliloquy making sure we all knew of the word forgiveness (Matthew 6:15 AMP). We also know of the words humility and being apologetic but we saw nor heard those things coming from him. He was a young mayor and his impeachment did not come as a surprise to anyone. Even when the District Attorney became involved and made the statement, "kindergarten children know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad. For a grown man to use the defense that he didn't know, is ludicrous (paraphrasing)."

A famous news reporter had a relationship with a man who carried on with shady dealings. Her career is based on her credibility as a reporter, stating the facts which happen to be the truth. Many times a person is guilty by association and the police will pick up the friends along with the actual perpetrator (1 Corinthians 5:11 AMP). When her boyfriend was implicated in a scandal, the police also had questions for her. This ruined all that she was trying to build in the city where she was employed. She was fired solely because the news story had much to do with her involvement. Was she to report the news on herself? Was it that important to stay in a relationship with someone she knew that wasn't doing right and had no intentions of changing. Her salary was over a quarter of a million dollars a year when she was suspended. Was it really worth it?

As it stands, Brian Williams is in a mess. He lied about a news story for no other reason but to gain more notoriety. How much more does one need when the position you hold is an international news reporter? His questionable tactics also caused his suspension and a leave from his position and salary. Why go there? Why make statements that aren't true? Why mess with a life that was perfectly framed? What more would one need or want (Psalm 23:1 AMP)?

These questions are what also can be asked of you. I began this blog because I heard so many believers ask, is this all there is. I asked it myself. But as I continued to do research and write, I found that what I didn't have and needed was a better relationship with my Lord and Savior. Everything I need is in Him. It is why the scriptures state for there to be less of me and more of You (John 3:30 AMP). It is the reason I have to move out of the way for Him to do the leading. It is the reason we crucify the flesh daily so we can walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:24 AMP). All of these require Him. We don't know more then He does. We are not omniscient, omni-present, nor omnipotent. He is. So when we ask such foolishness like is this all there is, or where is the abundant life that was promised, or we are bombarded with all of the rules and none of the fun stuff, it tells others how immature you really are and how much more of God you need.

Without Him or believing you can do it all on your own, puts you on the path as the aforementioned. You are building on sand and with the storm that comes, your structure (your life, career, worldly possessions) will most assuredly fall (Matthew 7:24-27 AMP). That's a life of constant jeopardy. This doesn't make living more interesting. It puts a person on a broad path described in the bible as destruction, danger, and demise (Matthew 7:13-14 AMP). Where are those adjectives also used? Who is it that has access to those very things? You know, what's his name, whose entire assignment is to kill, steal and destroy. Oh, and for those still wondering if I am talking about the game show, the definition of jeopardy is a hazard or risk of or exposure to loss, harm, death, or injury. Calmly think
on that.

Its the Pin Dots Too

If it looks good and the rest of the fruit around it looks good, there is less of a chance that any of the fruit wouldn't be good. That's practically the basis by which I told my children because of certain types of people I had to do case studies with. One rarely saw the unseemly element with those that try to do something with their lives. Their focus is different. Those that apply themselves don't have the time for distractions. They have been trained that with studying and some drive the result will always be beneficial (Joshua 1:8 KJV).

To some extent, I still hold fast to this; however, due to some life lessons and this analogy, adjustments were needed.

The analogy comes from  the old adage, "one bad apple spoils the whole barrel." Most people would be able to spot a bad apple. Going to the produce section upon sight, bruises is the tell all sign. Another way is to pick up the apple and squeeze to see if it is still firm. The sight and touch signs should be all that is needed; yet in these last days, men have devised a means to spray apples with pesticides not only to keep the bugs from ruining a crop but to maintain the color and superficial texture while displayed in the produce section. Recently, while waiting for my guests to arrive at a family dinner, I felt "peck-ish" and got an apple to snack on. Seeing the red color, I went to wash it off. Just out of habit, before taking a bite, I shine the apple first. It looked delicious. When I took a bite, it tasted nothing like it looked. The skin was taut and a beautiful bright red, but the flesh was like a dry sponge. This has happened to me before, but then I clearly saw small black pin dots on the bright red skin. This time the apple color was darkened and the dots weren't clearly as visible. The experience was disappointing, appetite destroying, and can turn a customer from purchasing apples ever again.

From the perspective of people getting rid of spots and wrinkles in their lives, it would take God (Ephesians 5:24-30 AMP). We are given the foundation of righteousness and have to conduct our lives accordingly. It takes studying to replace the old, wicked ways into new habits. Some seem harder then others not because it can't be done. Its hard because of the will to relinquish those ways (Acts 3;26 AMP).

An alcoholic can get to rock bottom, losing everything and even his health is in jeopardy; yet, unless the taste and desire is no longer as strong as the desire to live, then he will mostly certainly die (Proverbs 23;30-35 AMP). This would also be true for an addict, thief, murderer, liar, idolater, and the like. A true believer knows this because of the Word, experience, and history. A fool disregards what is most certainly obvious (Proverbs 1:7 AMP).

The Word says that God inhabits the praise of the righteous (Psalm 22:3 AMP). The Word says that He hears the prayers of the righteous. It is all do-able for us. To others we are like iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17 AMP). We assist those that try to do right and teach those that don't know what is the right thing to do. Our work is to remove the spots and wrinkles to be ready for His return. So would there ever be a time when pin-dots could not be visible on you or those you believe to be your friends? Something I use to desire in my life were long term friendships. I have seen people have 30-40 year friendships and then get married. It is truly a blessing to have. If this is a desire for you and you believe you have this sort of friend, would you leave if God tells you to? What if the bond is with finances, a good paying job, an expensive car, the perfect house, the best deal, your favorite suit/dress, $100,000.00? If you winced at any of these suggestions or can make an excuse for not doing so, you have discovered pin-dots on you. What is your recourse now (2 Peter 3:14 KJV)?

Boys Make Excuses Men Make Changes

In watching shows like COPS, JAIL (cops spin off), and Women Behind Bars, its comforting to know that the police have been doing what they were hired to do. Initially, some of the convicts could tug at the heart strings and viewers might even believe each perpetrator going through the process and tries to turn his/her situation around to be seen as a victim. How can they look so believable?

Coming fresh out of college and ready to change the world, I know I'd hear each story and find credibility with them all too. Its called being naive, gullible, immature, and easy prey. Working from the socio-economic perspective that I was placed, many clients were an act or two away from starring in one or more of the previously mentioned shows. Still, in trying to change the world, I came up against a brick wall too many times. I had a specific allotment of days with each client; therefore, I had to make the most it. After prayer and gathering all of the information, I went to work making sure each family or individual got the resources he/she needed and was equipped to meet the goals that had been discussed. I could without a doubt say that each case was well armed and at the ready to conquer whatever necessary to complete the goal. After so many months, it was required of my assignment to do a follow up to see how each case fared with the tools given. Because I was still so pleased with the vocation given to me in helping people, I couldn't see what my clients were doing. There were too many of them that found some thing to complain about (1 is 1 too many). Too many had reasons as to why they couldn't maintain where they were placed. Hardly any of them stayed the course to complete the goal they established for themselves. Still green, I would pull out the case file and go over all of the material to remind them what the prize was when finished and how important it was for their own mental health to do it. They would smile and seem to understand the words that were coming out of my mouth but their actions dictated otherwise.

Sixteen years later, I decided to make a career change because of a specific verse in the bible never made more sense to me until I could stop and consider my ways.

On one the shows previously mentioned, an inmate was about to be released. He had been a repeat offender and warned several times before landing the sentence that he just completed. As he told his story, I heard how he learned the court lingo, the correction officers jargon, and how the inmates use acronyms to communicate. In his time of lock up, he completed his GED and had a certificate from learning a trade. He said he was incarcerated at the age of 22 and he is getting out at 35. He looked hopeful and pleased with himself. His words showed that he has a bright outlook on life. In walking out of the exit he concluded with, "boys make excuses, men make changes. I won't be back. It took 13 years for me to be able to say that." He then turned from the camera to leave. As he walked away, the camera stayed on him while the narrative was from the correction officer asking him the questions in the interview, "yeah, I hope he does make it. Odds are, he won't." The released inmate turns the corner and then it fades to black. The show was over without anything to let the viewer know that he made it or any follow up. Did the optimistic ex-offender make it or did the pessimism of the corrections officer come to pass?

I made a career change after so many years of hearing adults make excuses for bad behavior. From a 38 year old woman who has been cheating the system of thousands of dollars since the age of 16 and teaching her 12 year old son to do the same to an educated woman with a good career and a broken arm contemplating on returning to her live in abusive boyfriend, it was getting to be a bit much. I wanted for them all to change and be better people. I wanted for them to get all they could from what life has to offer. I wanted more for them then they wanted for themselves and it was depressing at the discovery. They didn't teach this in any of the college course work I took.

First, the Word tells us to not to cast your pearls on swine (Matthew 7:6 AMP). Swine are animals and have no idea what to do with treasure. I didn't consider this verse very much in my work because most of my clients professed to be Christian and I used that confession in gathering resources for them. Yet, that verse began to make more sense to me when coupling it with the verse describing an immature Christian unable to eat the meat of God's word. It is the same with the optimistic inmate. He has the tools to make a better life for himself. One of the rules with a probation officer is for the ex-offender to move away from his old neighborhood and not to be seen with his old friends. It is the acquaintances that will have an ex-offender back in prison. Like an addict, he/she must stay completely away from what caused the behavior in the first place. Yet, when the inmate walked away and turned the corner, he did so shoulder to shoulder talking with another ex-offender leaving the facility.
Hebrews 5:11-13 AMP:
Concerning this we have much to say which is hard to explain, since you have become dull in your [spiritual] hearing and sluggish [even ^[a]slothful in achieving spiritual insight].

12 For even though by this time you ought to be teaching others, you actually need someone to teach you over again the very first principles of God’s Word. You have come to need milk, not solid food.

¹³ For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!

Appearances are deceiving. Just because he/she looks grown up and talks a good game doesn't mean that he/she is grown up. Where is the fruit? What have you done for the Lord lately? Though this entry makes a good post for Christian singles, it can also serve as to why some of us aren't where we should be. Grow up!