R U Out There?

I was just wondering if anyone is still reading this thing. Please add me by clicking on the "Follow" link and checking in everyday (or as often as you can). Do not worry, I am not making ANY money on this site. It is just encouraging to know that I am not talking to the wind.

Thank You All

May God Bless You and Yours


Gene

God Bless America, again ...Please?

How long has America bragged that she was the Greatest Nation on Earth? Being a Texan by birth, I have been indoctrinated to believe that WE are the result of God’s grace (“American by birth – Texan by the Grace of God”). What has happened in this generation? We have seen our reputation plummet to mockery and ridicule. Other nations scorn our power. Our enemies no longer fear our retribution. Why have we lost our mojo?

2 Chronicles 7:11-22

After Solomon finished building the Lord’s temple and the royal palace, and accomplished all his plans for the Lord’s temple and his royal palace, the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: “I have answered your prayer and chosen this place to be my temple where sacrifices are to be made. When I close up the sky so that it doesn’t rain, or command locusts to devour the land’s vegetation, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Now I will be attentive and responsive to the prayers offered in this place. Now I have chosen and consecrated this temple by making it my permanent home; I will be constantly present there. You must serve me as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations. Then I will establish your dynasty, just as I promised your father David, ‘You will not fail to have a successor ruling over Israel.

“But if you people ever turn away from me, fail to obey the regulations and rules I instructed you to keep, and decide to serve and worship other gods, then I will remove you from my land I have given you, I will abandon this temple I have consecrated with my presence, and I will make you an object of mockery and ridicule among all the nations.  As for this temple, which was once majestic, everyone who passes by it will be shocked and say, ‘Why did the Lord do this to this land and this temple?’  Others will then answer, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors, who led them out of Egypt. They embraced other gods whom they worshiped and served. That is why he brought all this disaster down on them.’”

 Read the above passage, again and take note to the warnings in the 2^nd paragraph. Although the Lord was talking to the House of Israel, we can deduce that since Our God is an Unchanging  Sovereign, and that the same principles apply to all His servants and those that lay claim to His Word.  Verse 14 (in bold) has been quoted by religious people for decades to shine the path for reconciliation, but I think that the rest of the story should be acknowledged as well. Before we can “turn from our wicked ways “, we must recognize which ways are wicked.

We must stop pointing the finger at others (government leaders, civil “servants”, and even our neighbors, and take the responsibility on ourselves to change from our wicked ways.  In Matthew 7: 1 – 12, Jesus says: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive. Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to see the beam of wood  in your own?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ while there is a beam in your own?  You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.  Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who ask receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  I there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gift to those who ask him!  In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you for this fulfill the law and the prophets.

If everyone does the above, then we would not have to worry about that the neighbor is doing or not doing. We would be so busy doing what God wants US to do that we would not have the time to judge anyone else. The return road to a Great America begins with YOU (and me). Remember that I am writing this to myself, first and then  to share with whomever wished to lend their time and intelligence to be blessed and hopefully a little smarter. In ANY of my posts, should you find or have any corrections, I am open to hear them as well and if I am convinced, will offer the correction right here.

I want to thank all 6 of my “regular readers” and all of those who occassionally visit. You have encouraged me with your mere interest. I wish more people would “tune in” but maybe God knows I would “get the big head”, although I pray that others may benefit from my journal and discoveries in my journey to seek God’s will.

So, until the next time …

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

What does Sovereignty Mean?

Sovereign:

–noun

1. a monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler.

2. a person who has sovereign power or authority.

3. a group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority.

4. a gold coin of the United Kingdom, equal to one pound sterling: went out of circulation after 1914.

–adjective

5. belonging to or characteristic of a sovereign or sovereignty; royal.

6. having supreme rank, power, or authority.

7. supreme; preeminent; indisputable: a sovereign right.

8. greatest in degree; utmost or extreme.

9. being above all others in character, importance, excellence, etc.

10. efficacious; potent: a sovereign remedy.

 

As a citizen of a free society, we have a hard time grasping the authority of a Our Creator. We have been calloused in dealing or associating with this level of power and authority. To try and place our respect and responsibility in context, I will try to help us understand the seriousness of our relationship to a Holy and Righteous King, especially The King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

In the days of ruling monarchs, the king had total control over their subjects. Most “honorable” monarchs allowed a certain input/advice from their subjects, but they retained the last word. In honorable and just minded monarchy, the people were equally subject to the King’s law. The King acted as final judge and jury on disagreements or other issues. His judgment was irrevocable and non-appealable. Basically – What he says – goes. Thus his subjects showed him the highest level of respect, possible (in the Old English verbage – they FEARED Him). The subjects avoided any bad-mouthing or degrading of the king’s name or authority. Even his name was reserved for the highest respect. To worship a king was an honor. It was a lot like us being granted an audience with a well-liked celebrity. As a matter of fact, in today’s world, we come VERY close to worshiping these artists and man-made authorities above our CREATOR. When our Creator directly ruled the House of Israel, He gave them a list of rules (the 10 Commandments – Exodus 20) and the method HE wanted to be approached. He even gives specific instructions on the construction of his tabernacle (a physical symbol of HIS ruling palace in Heaven). The Jews were so afraid of violating these rules that they expounded on these 10 rules by invoking hundreds of laws, with varying consequences for violation of them. The Jews respected and honored God so much that they would not even speak his name except for when they were ritually cleansed and in an appropriate setting (the temple/tabernacle)  This was the fear held by a subjected people even more than they feared the loss of their own lives.

 

Our closest reference in modern day to a similar level of power can be found in the land of Islam, or (what we call) primitive societies. I do not condone nor advocate this type of “local” government at all, but it gives us insight to the authority of My KING. We are so guilty of underestimating our actions and attitudes that we verge on the chasm of sedition of the law of the LORD. The apostle Paul made reference to this sedition in his letter to the Romans and the consequences of those acts of sedition (sin). In that same letter, he also provides us a picture of the pardon that is offered for us and the guidelines to accept that pardon. We have called that “pardon” nonchalantly as

 – Isaiah 64:6)

 

So next time we are tempted to dishonor our KING, hopefully we will bridle ourselves and become aware of the the SOVEREIGNTY of The Creator of Everything, our Supreme Ruler and SAVIOUR!

 

Until Next time:

 

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

 

 

 

 

The WORD on terrorism

Why are the terrorist winning?

Ok set aside your patriotic arrogance and accept the fact that terrorist have won the war of terror. Why?, You ask. First of all, the primary goal of terrorist is just that, terror. To strike fear in the population. Check. Since 9/11, the world has girded protocols and layers of protection around all of us, to the point of strangulation of freedoms and rights. All in the name of Home Security. The infamous “Patriot Act” has stripped us of our privacy and various other laws and policies have fenced us in from the freedom of travel and movement. We FEAR anyone that looks a little different from us. Caucasians fear Middle Easterners (regardless of their country of origin) and Middle Easterners FEAR Caucasians because they are unsure of what they may do to them. Regardless of how mighty our armies are, or how hard we track and kill the “heads of the serpent”, the tentacles of evil have infiltrated the very minds of our citizens and even our world. Our most advanced bullets and missiles cannot penetrate that infection. The weapons of the terrorist are FEAR and imagination; the weapon has been fired and they do not have to do anything else. We will (and have) defeated ourselves. Much like the Gregorian Knot – the harder we chase them, the tighter the noose squeezes our neck. Despite the billions of dollars and countless man-hours spent to avoid the attacks, it only takes ONE event to escalate our FEARS and send us in a panic of “kneejerk” legislations and swarming about in shadowy places …. Think about it.

 

So is there a way we can turn the tide???

I really believe so. Much like Jonah (minus the fish), I bring the message that we must turn from our wicked ways and re-commit ourselves to our Creator, Lord and Savior. This must be done by everyone. From the most impoverished man all the way up to our top government officials and corporate magnates. By refocusing our efforts to the Divine and HIS Laws, we neutralize the FEAR and TERROR that has infected all of us. Pursue the “Whatsoevers” (Philippians 4:8). Trust in the LORD and Honor HIM and HE will HEAL our land. Lay aside our hatred and approach our enemies with the Word of God. Have the faith that GOD will render judgment on all of us, even those whom we believe are wrong. Regardless of our RELIGIOUS convictions, the underlying theme is brotherly (and sisterly) Love -  not fear, discord and hatred. Take the weapon of FEAR and HATRED away from the terrorist and they become nothing more than hooligans and bullies. Show the world that GOD has a better life than the one they offer and people will reject the terror and violence. I have read the story and I know how it all ends … GOD WINS!!!  

 

Psalms 27: 1 - 4

The Lord delivers and vindicates me!

I fear no one!

The Lord protects my life!

I am afraid of no one!

When evil men attack me

to devour my flesh,

when my adversaries and enemies attack me,

they stumble and fall.

Even when an army is deployed against me,

I do not fear.

Even when war is imminent,

I remain confident.

I have asked the Lord for one thing –

this is what I desire!

I want to live in the Lord’s house all the days of my life,

so I can gaze at the splendor of the Lord

and contemplate in his temple.

 

Here is some WONDERFUL anti-terrorist advice:

1 Peter 5

So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you: Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly. And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. Then when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.

In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you. Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him belongs the power forever. Amen.

Through Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does Mark, my son.  Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

And in the words of the great philosopher, Forrest Gump: “That’s all I got to say about that”

 

God Bless You and Yours

Gene

 

 

 

"It ain't over til it's over

Yogi Berra once said “It ain’t over til it’s over”. This is my motivational thought for today. The surprising first round of the NHL Playoffs between the #1 Washington Capitals and the diminutive bottom ranked 8^th seeded Montreal Canadiens. Against all odds, the lowly Habs fought and did not give in to the hype to defeat the “Goliath” of the hockey world.  I take particular notice to this lesson because (a) I live in Montreal and am a Habs Fan and (b) I understand the challenge of having the odds stacked against us.

 

I fight depression and hopelessness on a daily basis. The usual stresses (finances, family and health) are magnified by my residence in a “foreign” country and my legal circumstances south of the border (not Mexico). God has obviously intervened and has sustained us thus far and I can only have the faith that His protection will continue. Unless some major windfall is bestowed on us, my situation remains on the edge of disaster. THAT is stress. This stress is shared by my lovely bride, Denise. That is the most discouraging fact of all. I can only accept  that whatever happens to me is deserving, but my wonderful wife should not have to endure that.  But like the lowly Habs, or the spunky David against the giant, I will keep on keeping on. Day by Day and sometimes even hour by hour or even minute by minute I will keep trying to rise above the muck.

 

I give ALL the Glory and honor to my sustenance to My God and hope that whatever happens, will show others HIS love and power over ALL Odds.

 

I solicit Your prayers or anything else

 

Until next time …

 

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

 

 

Will it be the END of the Journey ??? ... Or only the beginning???

Are WE in the End Times??? If so, WHY should we keep trying to do right? The answer to that depends on your definition or belief of that era. The easy answer is that we are closer than back in the days of Jesus and the Apostles. But that is only a technical and chronological answer. The theological answer to that question is MUCH more complicated and subject to how we read and interpret the prophecies. I believe that we ARE on the threshold of what is referred to as “the tribulation” . Too many physical, technological,  meteorological, political and spiritual events are coming together  to dismiss this inevitability.  Regardless of your position, I believe that we should seek to adhere to our walk as though we are at the “11^th Hour”.  As in Jesus’ illustration in the bridesmaids parable awaiting the groom, we do not know when HE will call us to the marriage supper. Our talents skills and responsibilities should be honed and executed in the “event “ is upon us.

Why should we keep learning and growing if the “end” is near? – First of all, the 2^nd Coming of Christ is NOT the end to all – It is the beginning. I have studied the scripture and have not found that our tasks will end after we die/resurrected. The Great Praise Service in Heaven is only a portion of our service. We are not to be only hearers of the WORD, but DOERS as well. Our honor and service to our LORD will include providing services and fellowship with our fellow believers. While the obstacles of our labors will be removed in the binding of Satan, the exercise and effort remains. Paul said that this life should be viewed as a training camp for eternity. I read that as there will be things that we will be expected to DO in the Heavenly Kingdom.  I do not think that we will be lounging about on clouds, strumming harps. Even after our spiritual transformation into the KINGDOM, our service and worship to our CREATOR will include our effort and work (Just without the “weeds and thorns”) We were created to manage the earth and to commune with GOD, that purpose will carry on into our eternal destiny. That is why when we have nothing to do, we get bored and into trouble. GOD knows that and provides us with tasks and responsibilities. Our spirit and our soul bears the essence of our existence, that includes the fruits of our labors. Although we cannot understand it at this time, I believe that our efforts here, in this life, will carry forward into our eternal calling.

When I was in the US Navy, we trained and trained and trained. Some of that training was never directly used, but the discipline of that training carried into other areas that were not directly addressed. This may be the same concept in Life. We should train like we fight and fight like we are trained. Athletes train hard for their events. Paul uses that analogy as well. We should train our spirits and our souls to fight against the principalities of the world with the goal of being able to transform from a sin-filled environment to a world that is ruled completely in God’s Will and Light. Imagine someone like ME trying to compete in the Super Bowl!!! Not only would I fail miserably, but I would not survive the first play!

Are YOU involved in an Eternal Training Program? Check out the link in the right bar called “Plan of Salvation” to learn how to get started in this training program.

Until the next time ….

Jesus is Risen!!!

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

Are we getting good information?

1 John 4:1 – 6

Testing the Spirits

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses Jesus as the Christ who has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now is already in the world.

You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world’s perspective and the world listens to them. We are from God; the person who knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deceit.

I have heard many say that we are not to question God. I agree, but what we should question is if the advice and instruction that we are given is FROM God. False religions and prophets, cults and general denial of The Creator (which is kinda funny because even Satan, himself, acknowledges God’s existence and trembles – James 2:19) So just because someone says that are ”Believers”, we should analyze what others do and say to conclude what they believe. John teaches that we should “test” or question the spirits, regardless of their claim. A conman will not say that he is a conman, but he will try to deceive you into believing that he is the “real McCoy”.

2 John 1: 5 - 11

But now I ask you, lady (not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, but the one we have had from the beginning), that we love one another.  (Now this is love: that we walk according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!  Watch out, so that you do not lose the things we have worked for, but receive a full reward.

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in this teaching has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting, because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds.

John also warns us to not embrace the false teacher either. He is NOT saying to not to talk with them, just don’t be lured into their lie. We should always take every opportunity to display the Love of Christ and do not fall into an arrogant air because of our faith. There have been more bloodshed in the name of God than any other “cause” and I do not think that those “causes” were on the “up and up” History shows that the majority of those crusades were motivated by far less haughty goals than advertised.

So in conclusion, before we adopt a teaching or doctrine, we should question the motive and origin of that teaching (including this one). This “testing” does not mean that it is rejected, only authenticated. It may not make us popular, but we can at least be informed.

Until the next time:

May God Bless You and Yours!!!

Gene

A New Week

Greetings all,

Another week has started and it finds me sitting in the waiting room of the local garage getting our windshield replaced.  It seems that a mysterious phenomenon cracked the top right side corner of the windshield. This is one of the few times that I am glad we pay insurance. Haha . Denise and I had a very productive weekend. First we had the pleasure of spending time breaking bread (and BBQ ribs) with the kids. That is ALWAYS a blessing. We also signed the lease on a larger apartment. The only downside is that it is on the 3^rd floor, so it will be not much fun moving our stuff way up there. Lol. (Maybe I should say it is an Upside – waaaaay up.  I would like to offer thanks to my GOD and our new landlady, Helen, for the opportunity to augment the rent by allowing me to provide management services to her two buildings. That is 16  units to care for as well as the yard. I also thank YOU guys for your prayers and support as well. We may also be able to move sooner than July 1^st as well – depending on if the older tenants want to move earlier as well. J  GOD is in control and gets ALL the credit in spite of my interference.

It seems that a lot of us are going thru some difficult times right now. I found this scripture and it spoke to me. I hope that you will embrace it as well. GOD is in control and whatever we are going through, will make us stronger and although we can NEVER be worthy of the Love of GOD, we are promised that he sees and acknowledges our little efforts. NOTE TO SELF: HANG IN THERE AND KEEP TRYING TO DO WHAT I KNOW TO BE RIGHT.

1 Peter 4:7 – 19:  For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining.  Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker. But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear such a name. For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God? And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and sinners? So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good.

1Peter 5:  So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you: Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly. And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. Then when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.

In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you. Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering. And, after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him belongs the power forever. Amen.

Through Silvanus, whom I know to be a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, in order to encourage you and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

It seems that Ol’ St Peter was reading my mail and wrote this just for me. Times are getting tougher every day. Folks seem to have lost their minds as well as their good sense. Everyone is looking out for #1 (themselves). Peter is telling the brethren to stand fast and be encouraged that they should keep doing the right thing regardless of how others may treat them or regardless of their lack of values. GOD sees what is happening and will turn our predicament to HIS glory and honor. And THAT is what it is all about.

Until next time…

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

Just another Day

Nothing too heavy today.

 

Just getting things organized (and I use that word very loosely) for the move. The Kids are coming over this afternoon to visit and will stay for supper. We plan on having supper outside to enjoy the beautiful day that we have been given. Sun shining and the temp nice.

 

Prospective next tenant dropped by to see the apartment again and Denise is gone to the Grocery to get stuff for supper. I am continuing my quest to locate and centralize boxes and packing stuff that we do not need until AFTER we move. All in all – a boring but action packed day …

 

Until next time –

 

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

 

 

 

The Purpose of our Journey

OK, we are on a journey through this thing called life. WHY? Is there a reason for us to be here and to have to suffer and enjoy all that we do? There are volumes of books that address this issue with varying degrees of believability. I know I have asked this question on a daily basis (even after reading many of those so-called self-help books. ) Here are MY thoughts:

How are we perceiving our life?

Too many of us gauge our lives by what WE possess ($$, “toys”, properties etc) Too few of us value what we give OTHERS . The concept of looking OUTWARD instead of INWARD for value is a shrinking virtue in today's world. I propose that we re-think our position in this perception and see the value of devoting more time looking at how we can help someone else than looking at our own pathetic circumstance and hosting our own “pity-party”

A lot of modern “evangelists” and self-help gurus preach the concept that God is a vending machine and all we have to do is plug in a prayer and out pops the goodies. Sorry. I pray and study regularly and that is NOT how I read things. God has a purpose for us and it is not to just sit back and collect “things”.

Why are we here?

I believe that we are here by design, for God (The Creator)'s pleasure and to reflect and share the love and creativity that HE has given each of us. That is why there are so many different kinds of people and different talents and skills instilled in each of us. I am NOT a lawyer or doctor, but I can help fix about anything around the house including your computer. A Doctor (or Lawyer) may barely know how to turn on their PC or make coffee. Which one is smarter? With such diversity, we have to have standards and rules to merge these different abilities into a harmonious existence. God has provided this in HIS WORD. This gives us a guideline to exercise our abilities to complement and display God's Wonderful Power and Love. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (Ch 12 and 13) explains how we should view our different abilities.

What are our goals?

God has given each of us goals and dreams. He has instilled “free-will” into our life and the ability and tools to reach those goals. If you (or I) allow the world (or even our peers) to change those goals based on THEIR agenda and values, we may find it more difficult and less fulfilling to travel that path. Matthew 6:33 has been quated as the basis of many charletons to get what you ask for. This verse actually reads : “But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Take note of the beginning of the verse as a qualifier, or better yet, read the whole chapter for context and the exactly what Jesus was teaching.

So it is true that God will gives us what we want AFTER he changes our “wanter”

How do we measure success?

Success is such a generic goal. We first have to decide on what currency we want to use as our measure. What is of value to you? Is it money, love, power, prestige? I believe that if we modify our currency to something that holds a legacy, then we can more accurately measure the success(es) in our lives. For me, it is the laugh of my grandchildren. The love of my wife. The knowledge that I have helped in a small way to make this world a better place for those around me. I perceive myself as having a servant's heart, so the words of appreciation from family and friends weigh much more than gold (ask my bank account – haha).

By looking OUTWARD for ways to share and display my gifts, I am able to expand my satisfaction and at the same time make someone else's life a little better and/or easier. By GIVING love, I receive the same in an exponentially greater amount. By spending my energy to help someone else, I set the example for my children and grandchildren to make this world better and to “fit into” God's design for humanity. So when I face my CREATOR, I can know that I did this with a pure heart and with no hidden agenda, because there is NOTHING hidden from HIM.

Summary

So it is my conclusion that our purpose in life is to use whatever we can to promote Heaven on earth. To manage our talents to the benefit for all. By doing this, God will take care of the small stuff and we can rely on his WORD to provide us guidance when something is questionable.

NOTE TO SELF: Read this daily to keep your perspective in life. It AIN'T all about me!!!!!!!!!

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

Guidance from a Friend

I thought I would do something a little different this time and let someone else tell us what he thought. This is a letter from a learned man to a group of fellow believers. I have taken the liberty of changing the format a little and putting his salutation at the end so that you could read the words with an open mind. This letter is written to believers and contains a lot of guidance on living the good life. If my paraphrasing offends anyone – I apologize. My goal is to present this information in a way that circumvents prejudice and personal gain from anyone, except for the author and the subjects. If you are offended by the content – I do NOT apologize for the truth. Maybe you should look inside yourself and figure out WHY this offends you. If this touches you in anyway, I would love to hear from you. Just make a comment at the end and, if you prefer your comments not to be published for all to enjoy, please state that as well and I will honor your wishes.

Greetings!

Joy in Trials
My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.
Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position. But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow. For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away. Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires. Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death. Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters. All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change. By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Living Out the Message
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves. For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror. For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was. But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does. If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Prejudice and the Law of Love
My brothers and sisters, do not show prejudice if you possess faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if someone comes into your assembly wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes, do you pay attention to the one who is finely dressed and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and to the poor person, “You stand over there,” or “Sit on the floor”? If so, have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil motives? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! Did not God choose the poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor! Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme the good name of the one you belong to?But if you fulfill the royal law as expressed in this scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show prejudice, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as violators. For the one who obeys the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a violator of the law. Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith and Works Together
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that – and tremble with fear.
But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

The Power of the Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.
For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.

True Wisdom
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

Passions and Pride
Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from? Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you? You desire and you do not have; you murder and envy and you cannot obtain; you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask; you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.
Adulterers, do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy. Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, “The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”? But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble.” So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter into mourning and your joy into despair. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.
Do not speak against one another, brothers and sisters. He who speaks against a fellow believer or judges a fellow believer speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but its judge. But there is only one who is lawgiver and judge – the one who is able to save and destroy. On the other hand, who are you to judge your neighbor?
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that town and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes. You ought to say instead, “If the Lord is willing, then we will live and do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows what is good to do and does not do it is guilty of sin.

Warning to the Rich
Come now, you rich! Weep and cry aloud over the miseries that are coming on you. Your riches have rotted and your clothing has become moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be a witness against you. It will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have hoarded treasure! Look, the pay you have held back from the workers who mowed your fields cries out against you, and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person, although he does not resist you.

Patience in Suffering
So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. And above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall into judgment.

Prayer for the Sick
Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praises. Is anyone among you ill? He should summon the elders of the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up – and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. So confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months! Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land sprouted with a harvest.
My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back, he should know that the one who turns a sinner back from his wandering path will save that person’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

From James, slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad.

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

A Servant's Heart

I wanted to share an interesting article I found concerning a Servant's Heart. It is my belief that by adopting this attitude, we can make our world better and happier. Release selfishness and commit random acts of kindness and respect. Who knows where this outbreak could lead?? Maybe even reach epidemic proportions!!! Try it and see..... 

Beyond Minding Your Manners:

Demonstrating A Servant's Heart

By Tamara Eaton

Many homeschooling families consider good manners important, but we want to go beyond "minding our manners" and understand what it really means to demonstrate Christlike love and a servant's heart toward all, regardless of position, income, race, background or outward appearance.
A few months ago, I observed a Christian friend in the check-out lane of the grocery store --this woman was known for her kindness and thoughtfulness toward others in our circle of friends, yet her manner toward the cashier was condescending and unkind. Since then, I've observed others behave in a similar manner to clerks, maids, waitresses and other "servants" who offered their services to others. The fact is, Jesus wants us all to be His servants and serve others with a pure heart, treating them as we would want them to treat us --but servants aren't always treated with respect, even by professing Christians.
If we're honest, most of us will admit there have been times in the past when we've had misconceptions about others from different backgrounds than our own. How do we change our own attitude and how do we teach our children so they won't fall into the same sinful trap? The first step is to recognize the problem, confess it as sin, and ask the Lord for help in this area.
"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," have you not shown partiality among yourselves... If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin..." --James 2:1-4, 8-9
And note this serious exhortation and commandment from God:
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." --1 John 4:20-21
John doesn't say we should love only the brothers and sisters with a similar background --or those who happen to suit our personality and preferences! Ask the Lord to show you any areas in your own heart which are lacking. Pray that He will give you understanding so you can put His Word into practice in your life.
Look to His Word --it's filled with exhortations and examples of how we should view others and demonstrate a spirit of meekness and servanthood toward all. This is something parents need to model before their children, instead of merely teaching them the scriptures and hoping they will "do as the parents say, and not as the parents do". God wants to work in the parents' hearts so that they can be the examples their children need!
There is no "class system" in God's economy, we need to see others as valued in God's eyes, so they should be valued in ours. We want our children to understand that this is a heart issue, not just outward conformity to some perceived list of "good manners". Someone may know how to exhibit good manners, but it's how he acts when he thinks no one is looking that truly reveals his heart. And we know that God is ALWAYS looking!
In Ephesians, servants are urged to serve others "in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free." --Ephesians 6:5-8
And masters are told to "do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him." --Ephesians 6:9
Of course, if we treat others well, it doesn't mean that we will always be treated well ourselves--but we will have a clean heart before God, which is most important. He will reward us according to the attitude of our heart, and as we do it unto the "least of these", we do it unto Him!
"Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'
"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." --Matthew 25:34-40
We've been talking about our attitude toward others, now let's talk about our attitude toward ourselves --if we're secure in who we are in the Lord's eyes, it's easier to humble ourselves to be servants to all. We need to find our worth and value in the Lord alone. Not in "externals" like expensive clothing, high salaries, degrees, titles, job position or any other labels. Not in whether we bake all our own bread, serve gourmet meals and have the cleanest house in the neighborhood. Nor in having the most children or in homeschooling "so well" that all our children score 100% on their achievement tests!
Our worth has absolutely nothing to do with what we possess or don't possess. God considered us of such value and worth that He created us in His own image and according to His likeness--and then gave His own Son to die for us after the Fall. We are seated in the Heavenlies, joint-heirs with Christ, we are complete in Him. Our value, our worth, our merit, has nothing to do with how much we possess --it has EVERYTHING to do with who we are in Christ and what God says about us.
I love what Kay Arthur said in her book His Imprint, My Expression:
"Your worth and purpose in this life do not depend on who you are, on what you have done, or on what has been done to you. Your worth and purpose do not depend on where you have been...Your worth and purpose depend on God and God alone--His will, His calling, His choosing, His love."
When we understand this, we can finally see how each human is so valued and precious in the Lord's eyes. This enables us to reject the world's attitude and standards toward others and make God's attitude and standards our own --and teach them to our children! Can you imagine what a difference it would make if each Christian responded to others with a true servant's heart? It could revolutionize the world! Let's begin today in our own homes.
 Here are more principles to live by from God's Word:
"And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." --Matthew 20:27-28
"But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." --Matthew 23:11-12
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him." --1 John 3:18-19
"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." --1 Peter 2:17
"Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." --Hebrew 13:1-2
"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men..." --1 Thessalonians 3:12
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." --Philippians 2:3
".... by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. " --Galatians 5:13-14
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." --Romans 12:10,14,16-18,20-21
[Note--If you don't know the Lord in a personal, saving way--find out how you can be set free from all condemnation and receive Eternal life, as well as His daily help and guidance! (Knowing God)
© Copyright Tamara Eaton 1994-2000, all rights reserved.
Permission is given to reprint any of Tamara's articles in non-profit publications as long as the article is reprinted in full and contains the copyright information and website address. Please send a copy of the publication to :Deeper Life Family Ministries, P.O. Box 909, Killen, AL 35645.
We have always homeschooled our six children (elementary through high school and beyond!) and enjoy encouraging other families in their homeschooling, parenting and in the Lord! For more help and information, please join us on the Christian Homeschool Fellowship Message Board.
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"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord;
and great shall be the peace of thy children."
Isaiah 54:13

William & Tamara Eaton: eaton@chfweb.com

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May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

My Source of Direction

Psalm 130

From the deep water cry out to you, O Lord.

O Lord, listen to me!
Pay attention to my plea for mercy!
If you, O Lord, were to keep track of sins,
O Lord, who could stand before you?
But you are willing to forgive,
so that you might be honored.
I rely on the Lord,
I rely on him with my whole being;
I wait for his assuring word.
I yearn for the Lord,
more than watchmen do for the morning,
yes, more than watchmen do for the morning.
O Israel, hope in the Lord,
for the Lord exhibits loyal love,
and is more than willing to deliver.
He will deliver Israel
from all the consequences of their sins.

How many time have we begun a journey and find out that the road is not as we expected? How many time have we questioned the route we were on? And of course being a man, hesitate to ask directions (ok stop laughing, ladies)?

I find myself in this situation a lot and have to go back to my roadmap to reorient myself on a regular basis. I have heard it said that no matter where ever you are – there you are and that there is a way to get to where you need to be. Regardless of the circumstances, this is true. I really believe that philosophy.  We may have to take many little side roads to make it to the highway again, but we can be assured that our roadmap and our GUIDE will see us through IF we follow the directions. I hold on to that thought because I find myself in some pretty impossible places. Many times I pray “THY KINGDOM COME” just to end the confusion and strife in my life. BUT life goes on and somehow I make it through another day and occasionally find that I have come through the valley and onto a open and restful plain.  Psalm 23:4 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me …

It is my hope and prayer that no matter your circumstances, you will remember that it is only a temporary challenge and that, if you persevere, you/we will got through it. And by meeting that challenge, you/we will be stronger and wiser for the experience. But at the same time remember that wisdom is learning from the mistakes of others and experience is having to learn from your own. PLEASE read and learn from MY mistakes so you will not have to endure the same.

Until next time:

May God Bless You and Yours

Gene

The Journey Continues

Hello again everyone,

 

Seems like things are still at a standstill. Yesterday, I spent the day catching up on things around the house, trying to decide on what is going into our upcoming garage sale and what we can pack for the move. I still have not heard anything from my lawyer, so that remains on the “to do list”.  I still have to figure out how to come up with the finances to regain my freedom to travel across the borders while attempting to clear my name. I am trusting in the LORD to reveal this solution.

 

Psalms 37

1 Do not fret when wicked men seem to succeed! Do not envy evildoers!

2 For they will quickly dry up like grass, and wither away like plants.

3 Trust in the Lord and do what is right! Settle in the land and maintain your integrity!

4 Then you will take delight in the Lord, and he will answer your prayers.

5 Commit your future to the Lord! Trust in him, and he will act on your behalf.

6 He will vindicate you in broad daylight, and publicly defend your just cause.

7 Wait patiently for the Lord!  Wait confidently for him!

Until next time – May God Bless you and yours

Gene

Love - The Compass

1 Corithians 13 - If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast,1 but do not have love, I receive no benefit.

 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will be set aside; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be set aside. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways. For now we see in a mirror indirectly,but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

OK OK  - My last post was quite negative and held all the trappings of a pity party. For that I apologize. I said from the start that this would be an up and down journey. Sometimes I will lose my way. BUT I pray that this post will be a guiding light to you as well as to myself to regain our direction....

Maybe we are, too often,  looking at things from the wrong perspective. What if we were to try and put a positive spin on our circumstances? All through the history of the Bible, God shows us by words and actions that LOVE provides us with direction and purpose. Once we get past looking inward and start looking outward at others, we can fulfill our mission and personal ministry in life. Our motivation should be the caring for our neighbors in a positive way.

How many times have your parents said stuff like "Don't do this" or "Don't do that"? What is our FIRST impulse? .. We want to DO it, right? It is the same in our spiritual life as well. When God's gave Moses the 10 Commandments, what has been people's inclination? Yep! We broke them all. Jesus gave us the SAME 10 Commandments wrapped up in 2. (Love God with all your being and Love your neighbor as you love yourself) . HE re-worded it into a POSITIVE ACTIONcommand. Not to avoid something, but to DO something good in it's place and then we would not have the time to do the bad stuff. Maybe we can take our cue from that philosophye and approach everything in a positive light. If you have to clean the toilets, make them the cleanest toilets in town. Approach a friends with love and understanding and not judgements. Find PRODUCTIVE ways to handle disagreements. That is the way of fulfilling your life's purpose. That is the way you reflect God's Love for you (by reflecting your love for God and HIS creations).

I think that if I (and others) follow that direction, then we can traverse our challenges and make friends along the way. A 1,000 mile trip with a friend is shorter than a 100 mile trip alone.

Note to Self: Be guided by Love, trust in the Lord and ENJOY the trip.

Proverbs 3:5.6 - Trust in the Lord With all thine Heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.

Until the next time - God Bless You and Yours

Gene

GPS for Life ???

What do you do when you seem to have lost your faith and hope as well as the direction in life? Some say "Give it to God", pray, seek outside guidance or just keep moving and hope for the best. I don't know the right answer to this question, but am certain that it is not a singular action. I am fairly knowledagble in the writngs of the Bible, but ignorant in the day to day application of whatever theologians may interpret those writing to require in a specific manner. Giving an issue to God, sounds great, but I believe that it take more than that to reconcile a situation. God did not give us brains and analytical skills to pass every challenge off to Him.Life seems to be a test of our ability to learn and use what HE gave us to honor HIM. I have failed miserably in that challenge on sooooo many levels. But that is a different post for another time.

They say "money don't buy happiness", I agree but it opens up basic options to pursue it.In my situation, I need counsel and guidance in correcitng some bad decisions I have made in the past. That guidance requires money and THAT is a challenge all on it's own in today's financial environment. We are barely (and I MEAN barely) paying the monthy bills with NO extras. It is kind of a "Catch-22" scenario. I cannot work because I have no work permit, To get a work permit, I have to have some things settled down south. Those things costs alot of money (at least). I need ot work to earn that money ...and back to the start, I cannot work because I have no work permit (or job). So you see, I am caught in a vicious financial whirlpool. We are being sucked down the drain faster and faster. WHAT TO DO???

I am skeptical in contacting State and/or Federal agencys because (1) I do not trust them (2) they are part of the problem as well. I do not want to digress into a political tirade, but my political attitude is not one of trusting our government for my personal wellbeing or security. They have thier own agendas that concerns themselves and their own self-promoting motives which eliminates the little man (like me) that is below their importance.

Why am I posting this? Well, (for one thing) this is my therapy platform and I need to get it out in the open so I can try to wrap my head around it, but also see if anyone that reads this has other ideas. It seems that my Life GPS is out of sync and I do not know which way to go. I have even considered giving up and stopping all together. But I am too stupid and hard-headed for that. I am more inclined to "go down swinging" than that. I am the "world's greatest procrastinator" in making a stop decision. Until I figure out a direction/solution, I will continue to survive one day at a time and sometimes even one hour at a time just to see what will happen next.

If anyone has any ideas let me know. Until the next time:

May God Bless YOU and YOURS

Gene

Still Moving

Hello again everyone.

My uncle once said that “as long as you are moving, you ain’t stuck.” Well depending on your definition of “moving”, I guess I am not stuck … yet. Things are slow and sometimes it seems that I am not making any progress (in any direction), but I have lived another day, so that (to me) is moving. I am at a point where I have to rely on blind faith and the actions of others before I can do anything more. I am seeking a way where I can contribute to society and those that may need my assistance as well as finding some way to contribute to my family’s well-being. I have sought legal aid, with no response (I guess they do not want to deal with me without filling their coffers with non-existent funds). I have asked family for assistance, and they are not able to provide anything as well. So it is obviously up to me and The LORD (in that order). It is a challenge to not get impatient with HIS timetable and I do not know the outcome of this venture. I only pray that HE gives me the strength and the wisdom to get through this . One day maybe I will write a book on all of this, but they will want to put it in the fiction section of the library because no one would believe the stuff in it. OR I could write a country song – but folks would say it was TOO sad – lol. Go figger.

 

Well to the point – We are packing again to find another place to live. A place where the wind does not howl thru the wall and the apartment is the same temperature as the outside and the electric bill does not exceed the rent. I would love to be able to settle in a place with my wife and not have to worry about moving every year or so (it has only been 6 mths now ). I am tired of my nomadic life. I am glad that I have had the opportunity to see and experience the many things and the many places that have crossed my path, but, as I am getting older, it is time to allow this old soul to find a more permanent residence. I am afraid though, that the only rest I will have is after a short limo ride to a grassy meadow with rocks to mark my fellow travelers. But, until that time, I will keep trying to follow my heart and continue to seek a way to make my bride happy and content. My dreams are simple. I have given up on the extravagant ones and would gladly settle on a comfortable house, with groceries in the cupboard and a few coins in my pocket to allow Denise the things she so richly deserves.

 

Even though I am slowing down … I Ain’t Stuck Yet!!!

 

Until next time: God Bless you and yours

 

Gene

Enjoy the Journey

A Big shout out to Danah-Lee, a good friend in Ottawa!!! Sometime when you are waist deep in alligators, you forget that your primary objective was to drain the swamp. Danah reminded me that David wrote in Psalms 37 that regardless of our perceived circumstances, God remains in control and that at the end of the day – GOD WINS !!!  Thank you Danah! I appreciate you.

Today, driving from Hawkesbury, Ontario to Montreal, I was amazed at how impolite and discourteous many of our fellow drivers were operating. Road rage and a blatant disregard for highway courtesy seemed to be the rule rather than the exception. Whatever happened to classic concepts like “Sharing the road” or “Drive Courteous”? Many people (men, women, young and old alike) were driving like they were auditioning for a NASCAR pole position. My wife, Denise, commented that they were driving like they were in a hurry to get to their own funeral, or that they were trying to meet a reservation DEAD-line for a table at the local E.R. 

Could it be that we all have forgotten how to enjoy the journey and not just focus on the destination???? Just a thought …

‘til next time –

God Bless you and yours

Gene

A Word on Commenting to my Blog

Hello again, folks. I regret the fact that I must address  a comment that I received earlier in reference to my ONE DAY AT A TIME Post that I did not include. First of all, I welcome opposing views and discussions on anything I post. I will not allow illiterate and vulgar attacks on me or my beliefs. This is MY blog, a log of MY thoughts and experiences. If someone is offended or insulted, then they have the liberty of not wasting their time on reading it or they can also make literate arguments to debate.  I will not condone unintelligent comments.

 

As I mentioned in my introduction, I am a 16 year veteran of the US Navy. So you can bet that I have heard  (and occasionally used) almost every profane phrase out there, but when I put my thoughts on paper (or electrons) I attempt to show some writing competence and skill. When someone cannot complete a sentence without attacking personal character or thinly veiling their ignorance with symbols ( *%$#^*()*%#!!! ) then I have the right to delete their comment and not subject those that wish to either be lifted, educated or challenged by the posts to “plain ol’ ignorance”. Blatant personal attacks on my character or those of my family fall in the same unacceptable category. I will not even address the specifics of those charges. Suffice it to say that I am QUITE familiar with honest hard work and blue-collar ethics. (Oh yeah, I do NOT sport a fetish for small animals, either).

 

I was surprised that someone would be so totally against my thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer that it elicited such a passionate outburst. One can only assume that their spiritual beliefs leaned toward the dark side of hope and charity. It is not my goal to brow-beat anyone into accepting my views. That is YOUR choice. If someone wished to express their opposing opinion to ANY post, I submit, they are welcome AND if written in a fairly literate manner, I will post it as well to allow further comments and discussions. I have NEVER thought myself as anywhere NEAR perfect.  Another option to those that are SOOOOO against my views that they cannot contain themselves _  create your OWN blog and spew your venom there. God knows that there is enough of THAT garbage out there as well.

 

I apologize to most everyone else out there for having to create this post. It is only the ignorant few that forces us to take the time to write what should be a common courtesy …. Thank you all for taking the time to read my thoughts and views even if you do not agree with them. I appreciate your comments and responses – just  PLEASE show some couth by making your remarks (semi) intelligent and comprehensible.

 

Until next time: May God Bless you and yours

 

Gene