Emmanuel for the New Year.

I really love music, there are very few variations of music I do not find reasons to appreciate.  God has made me this way, HE has made us all in such a way, that we enjoy many different things.

Ever consider what is the GRANDEST thing we were created to enjoy?

Recently I don't feel like I have taken proper advantage of it, but I wonder if you have...

A few days ago we celebrated the coming of Jesus (Yeshuah) Christ to the earth.  He came for one purpose, to mend the damage that was done centuries ago that made it difficult for humanity and God to make the type of connections that were available in the beginning of creation.

As we approach the new year I want to remind everyone that we need to be ever mindful of the best gift we where ever given each and every day...the promise that GOD IS WITH US.

Strange Hate

Have you ever been ostricized because of a good moral decision; or picked on, or talked about behind your back?

It is strange but common how people will look at you funny when your convictions to NOT participate in certain activities will cause people to act hatefully towards you.  Even the bible speaks of it.

I Peter 4:4 In which they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of dissipation, speaking evil of you:   (KJ2000 - sent from CadreBible)

It seems morality is mere political correctness, and in actuality, people become offened when you display superior moral character in living because of how it makes them look.

Often they say; "oh you think you are better than me/us."  Sometimes they try to encourage you to see that there is no harm in it.  They don't understand how one can live without doing what they do so regularly.

In the end, this strange hate is not really directed towards you, but towards God; and sadly, they don't even realize it.

Giving up the fantasy for the Dream

The best people to speak to about relationships are those in them, this is a post about seeking a marriage partner.

If you're like me, you have created a list.  You know the list...of what you will or will not tolerate when looking for a mate.  Much of this is superficial, like how tall, or skin color, or type of hair. 

Others are more crucial, at least to us.  Until recently I would not consider marrying someone with kids, and I still refuse to marry a smoker; but most things on our top 10 list are probably keeping us from the marriage of our dreams.

Sadly, most compromise on the most important "do nots" when it comes to relationships, but are holding to the unimportant things religiously.

I am becoming more convinced that I need to focus on the right requirements and burn my superficial fantasy list.  Perhaps you too need to consider that as well.  We may be blessed by it.

You will not surely die...right?

People are, you are, sometimes even I am...listening to the devil more than I listen to God.

Eve knew the truth, but the simple words; "Did he really say you would die?"

How often do you believe such lies?  Did you know people actually believe they can see death coming?  Many, maybe most...though they probably would not believe it, act like this every day.  One example pulls tears from your eyes.

A woman sat down with a couple who helped people with structuring their finances.  After being taught the wisdom of proactive financial decisions, the couple was eager to get a  program for themselves.  They took care of many important areas, but adamantly refused to get life insurance coverage for their young daughter.  She died a few weeks later.

How long will we listen to faulty wisdom?

PREMATURE INFATUATION

Today a part of a song popped into my head: "I wish I never met her..." from a jam by Carl Thomas.

Watch "Carl Thomas - I Wish" on YouTube

Now I have never personally dealt with the married woman situation, but I've had a few personal situations where I was attracted to females who had boyfriends out of state. (You could not tell by their actions until they revealed the secret.)

And just like poor Carl, I could see the "I want you" in their eyes.  For us males, this does not bring out a creepy tingle; just a huge ego boost. 

Now as this song came to mind, the Spirit quickly interjected in regards to the songs intent.  The real sadness is that there was this quick jump into physical matrimony and a giving of the heart prematurely.  [Numbers 15:39 reminds us how our hearts need to be examined constantly.]

I too have done the latter of the two, and this is why many our our past situations hurt us so bad.  But there is hope for the hurting heart.

Psalms 27:13 I would have fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 
27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.  

We just need to spend more time waiting on God, than wishing we hadn't made mistakes.

Do we HATE God?

With people, we can often like different things and still be friends, of at least not be enemies.  You know the saying, "agree to disagree."  Even when we have conflicting views on HOT BUTTON subjects.  We ought not hate those who don't feel as we should.  Especially if they believe contrary to the bible.

Too often people want to throw verbal lacerations, or even come to blows.  Many times, those who claim to love God act unbecoming of a follower of Christ.  However we Christians are to be CHRIST-LIKE...

I Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.  4:8 He therefore that despises, despises not man, but God, who has also given unto us his Holy Spirit.  

Our relationship with God is different; we are to LOVE WHAT GOD LOVES, AND HATE WHAT GOD HATES.

If we do this properly, we will act like God would want us to act the majority of our lives.

Sometimes we forget that we are SAVED BY GRACE not saved by our good graces.

ANTI-DEPRESSANT

I am one who has been in depression, so don't take my words without considering that.

I am not sure how deep my depression was, but much of my memories of my 7th grade year are darkness.  I mean that literally.  I don't remember much but the sadness I felt.  Not all of my memories are bad; it was during that year I 1st found my fondness for writing, though I never channeled much effort to it outside of class.

From 6th grade on to high school I dealt with this inner sadness and sorrow.  I loathe what my life was, but I hid it from everyone.  

I remember one afternoon just crying because I hated so much of my existence, I couldn't see anything to be thankful for, I had analyzed my many faults and came to the conclusion that I was worthless.  I had many word spoken to me, even from my parents that made me believe that I was a loser.  The only thing left for me was to kill myself.

That thought startled me.  It almost came out of nowhere. Kill myself I thought.  Almost immediately I threw that idea out of my head.  There was just no way I could do that, and it was not the idea of how I would ever get up the nerve to off myself, but this one thought brought me out.  

I HAVE HOPE.

Somehow, despite all my deceitfulness, and lack of paying attention to God, I realized that I had a hope IN GOD, and there was no way I was going to kill myself when things would eventually get better.

Psalms 42:11 

Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disturbed within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.  

Years later I came across this verse and it all made more sense to me, God had truly been my hope.  It was around that time that I also found out the nature of my hope IN CHRIST JESUS. 


 Who through His death on the cross and triumph over death, has given full access to life and HOPE.