This year has definitely been the year of travel for me. I'm on a road trip with the siblings and Mom right now. We made it to Oregon tonight but this morning we were in Twin Falls, Idaho. Since there were sights to be seen, we did a little sight-seeing. (You can't assume all sight-see-ers see sights worth seeing)
Good night!
[edited: not original post in its entirety]
My friend Laura wrote an exceptional piece on her blog. I'm thinking that possibly the majority of my readers would get something out of it... Don't miss out. Its not only thought-provoking, but also a very tender view of what I believe true love to be.
Caption: Jolynn, Kaylene, Jeb in 1993(?)Perhaps the most disconcerting part is the realization that who I've come to know as being "me" is also changing. Daily circumstances and temptations show that I am not who I sometimes make myself out to be nor am I the person I once was. Growth is definitely a good thing but sometimes I stop mid way and ask "who is this new me?"
A million different song lyrics come to mind for this post. Everyone must experience feelings like this, and think similar thoughts at certain times in their lives.
I find a magnitude of comfort in knowing that though circumstances change, people change, and even I change, God does not. My perspective of Him may. My comprehension level in other words. But He does not. And for that, at this very moment, I am tremendously thankful for.
"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Timothy 1:17
*written 8/4/09
I was thinking this evening about the reality of other belief systems. Not that they do exist so much as they are not based on all falsehoods. As Christians we often refer to them as false religions. But really how “false” are they? Now hear me out on this. I may not mean, what your first impression might have been. We all know many religions are full of fallacies and inconsistencies. But the truth that they do embrace is often times the hook, line, and sinker.
It must be true that the billions of people who “sink” are genuinely deceived. But look at it another way. Are they allowed by God to be deceived, because of the rebellion in their hearts already towards the Lord? Are they truly poor helpless creatures whom we beg for God's mercies upon, to open their eyes to the truth? Or is it more, that their hearts need softened(by God's mercies of course); responsibility for their sins needs to be taken; and humility and brokeness will cause the scales to fall from their eyes?
Many people believe in what they believe in, because they trust with a mere 'cause and effect' sort of mentality. “I tried it. It worked. It must be true.” Can you see how dangerous this must be, when a person who thinks this way, sees a medicine doctor heal someone in the jungles of Africa? The religion he would embrace would not be the way, the truth-- and it would not be the life! There is one way to the Father, but many ways to try. There is only one truth, but Satan is a mastermind in packaging many different lies by wrapping them in truth. Lastly, he would indeed be living a life. But it would be a fleshly one, submitted to the wiles of the Devil. Consequently, I believe that Christians must beware of validating their faith merely by experience. Our faith is a reality and so may be theirs. But in the war of good and evil, we are serving the King of Righteousness who has power over the king of darkness. What we must not forget is that this evil king, does have power.
We all know, but fail to be aware of it on a minute by minute basis, that we are in constant spiritual warfare. Our enemy is often times those other religions who claim to 'work'. Their god does exist. Other times our enemy is that person who says the God does not exist. That person's god is himself. These gods are real. The war is real. The power behind the truth mixed with lies? Its all real!
But what power do these forces have that were not given to them? When I say I worship the one true God, I mean that I am worshiping the only one who is worthy of the title, and with a capital G!
"Wherefore, should the heathen say, where is now their God? But our God is in the heaven: He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased." Ps. 115:2-3
One last thing. Haven't you ever gotten caught up in the 'cause and effect' religion? I believe we Christians easily stumble at times because we are looking for the wrong effect when we pray. When we don't see the effect we expect, we begin to doubt the cause. And when we doubt the cause, we are in truth, doubting the goodness of the Lord. Choose ye this day whom you will serve. Allow your salvation from sin be the guaranteed effect of trusting in a Righteous God. And then trust Him to know whats best in all circumstances.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
’Round His standard ranging, victory is secure,
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
