tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55402161610356715462024-02-07T22:32:10.286-05:00Kingdom PathwayRandy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comBlogger250125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-70347936553713274712016-12-16T14:02:00.001-05:002016-12-16T14:03:52.489-05:00Exploding Outhouses!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey, don't ask me, but yeah, I'd better give a little recap...<br />
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As many know, my wife and I, along with a few friends, operated a ministry from 2003 through 2010 called Living Stones Ministries. After a lack of funding, and really just a loss of direction in retrospect, it was closed in December, 2010.<br />
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After this time I threw myself into my job and focused more on my family and their well-being. They had sacrificed quite a bit for the sake of the ministry work we did, but never complained. Of course God is always priority number one, but in regards to ministry, it was time for my focus to be about the family that God had both blessed and entrusted me with.<br />
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From 2010 to 2016 we have seen a lot of changes. In 2011, I started the Kingdom Pathway blog site that you are now reading. In retrospect I believe this was a means of coping with the loss of the ministry for me. I went from doing Bible Studies every week for 7 years in a row, to suddenly doing nothing. The blog site was a good outlet for me to continue sharing what I felt the Lord was laying on my heart to whoever would listen. With nearly 12,000 views under it's belt (as of now) I guess someone may have benefitted from something, or at least I can hope.<br />
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In 2011, we also moved from Grundy (Slate Creek) to Keen Mountain. This was a blessing as it was close to my job. In 2012, I had a dramatic change occur in my life when my wife found me unconscious on the floor. I had passed out due to the build up of spinal fluid in my brain because of a cyst blocking the flow. This required me to undergo brain surgery, but this wasn't all. I also had a post-op blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) in my right leg and this kept me in the hospital even longer.<br />
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While I laid in that hospital bed I had many nights of wondering what my purpose in life was, and was this it for me. It was a very emotional experience, but my wife Ann stayed by my side through it all. During this time in the hospital I thought too about what a privilege it was that I had been blessed with a brain and what I shame it was that I wasn't using it to its fullest potential. I had worked 4 years with adults who were intellectually disabled, and here I was with a brain that was not disabled, despite my attempts in high school to make it so.<br />
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In 2013, I went back to school and enrolled in the University of Phoenix online program. For the next 3 years I threw myself into this and didn't have a lot of time for much else. In November, 2016 it came to an end with a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, so the surgeons must have done something right.<br />
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Through all of this though I still think back to the days of the ministry, the experience it was, what I am doing now, and wondering what God has planned for me next. This is where it has felt like a wilderness to me. I've wandered around (still as a Christian) but weakened by the wilderness I've wandered through.<br />
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During this time I've officiated 6 weddings as a minister, some of them being the teens that once came to the ministry we had. One couple in particular met each other for the first time at one of our ministry events and are now happily married. It has been interesting to see what God accomplished despite my incompetence as a minister.<br />
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I'll be the first to tell anyone that I was terrible as a preacher, I was not the best singer, musician, and I make a horrible pastor (as far as the stereotypical pastor goes). I fumbled through my prayers often, forgot people's names, and at times lost my temper and sounded not so pastor-like. To think that God could take a mess like me and do something with it doesn't say anything about me, but it does say something about how great He is!<br />
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The big question now for me as I seek Him, "Is it over?" The answer is, "No, it will never be over." Just as there are new families that were formed as a result of the ministry, just as so many young people came to Christ and some are now active in various churches, just as so many seeds were sown, and are still being watered, and have yet to germinate... It will never be over.<br />
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I was reminded this morning of when we first moved to Grundy, Virginia. While driving one day my wife and I were discussing the fact that there were so many independent, nondenominational, ministries and churches in the area, and that there were so many backwoods beliefs that were not even of a sound doctrine. I made a remark to her jokingly that nearly every outhouse you see has a cross on it representing somebody's new church.<br />
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A few weeks later a friend of mine in ministry came from where he pastored a church in Danville, Virginia and along with a few other great men of God, they prayed over Grundy, Virginia. Among the many words spoken, one of these dear brothers told me that he felt like he had a word from God for us, but didn't understand the significance of it. He was even reluctant to share it, but he did anyway. He said as he was praying he saw hundreds of outhouses exploding. He didn't understand this, but my wife and I looked at each other with our jaws dropped. We understood it perfectly.<br />
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I don't think this was a vision for Living Stones Ministries specifically. I now think, especially after reflecting on it this morning, that this is more of a vision for this area in general, and this excites me. Just think that God is going to come against all of the false doctrines in this area that have kept people in bondage for years really excites me. This also must mean that clarity is coming through a resurgence of sound doctrine once again.<br />
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I've considered a number of things about the vision of exploding outhouses, recent revivals occurring here and there, in the Appalachian mountains, and I've been wondering if we are or are not on the edge of a great awakening in this region for God. If this is the case then I certainly don't want to miss it. Of course it's not about me, or Living Stones Ministries, or any other one person, or ministry. It's about God, and what He wants to do here, and wherever else He decides! Of course He already knows from experience (not that He needed it) that I'm not the best clay to work with. Whatever happens I'm just saying, "Lord, light the fuse and let me get out of the way."</div>
Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-86146207199764378302015-01-01T05:44:00.005-05:002015-01-01T05:52:23.646-05:00Happy New Year!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As this new year now begins I find myself looking back. I think sometimes it's good to look back, that is unless you are told not to, as with Lot's wife. The patriarchs of old certainly did, for as they trusted God in each new challenge of their life they would reflect back on how God had sustained them in previous ones.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">David, as he faced Goliath, was told by King Saul, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” David reflected on what God had done previously in his life and told Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1Samuel 17)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I reflect back through the things that I've been through I realize that I am certainly not King David. Some who have been reading my blog posts may realize they have been scarce, and for the most part non-existent throughout 2014. This has been in part because I have been enrolled in on-line college classes and most of my writing time has been spent doing homework. Also, just as before, I work a full-time job during the day pulling between 50 to 60 hours a week in the natural gas pipeline construction industry. It is the third excuse that I am not so proud on however. The truth is, I had drifted (not backslid: as I've kept my faith, often repented, and spoke with God this past year). However, I cannot say I've not slid into some direction away from Him.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it has been a combination of all the stresses from work, home, and school in my life, or whatever, but I knew I was not where I wanted to be in my walk with God. To anyone who has looked up to me in any way as a man of God, I apologize to them. Most of all, I had to repent to God for allowing distractions to create distance between me and Him. When I did turn around to speak to Him I felt He was right there in front of me waiting as if He had never gone anywhere.<br /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So after spending some real quality time with Him again, it is like nothing has ever changed. He loves me just as much now as He has always loved me. I know now as I trace back through the year I can see the ways He kept His hold on me. A song here... a movie there... little God whispers that we often overlook, or simply discount as a coincidence. In the words of a dear departed saint named Brennan Manning from his book, The Ragamuffin Gospel, he writes, "My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.” If the Lord wills it, this year will also be my 46th year on this earth, and as of July 27, 2015 it will be my 18th year as a child of God. In all the things I've learned walking with God, Brennan Manning's statement rings the truest. For if it were dependent upon my efforts to reach God alone, I would fail every time. It has been throughout these 18 years His grip on my life that has kept me in the good times and bad times. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I go into 2015 now with optimism, but not because of anything I can do. I will continue to work, continue to work toward my degree as I believe it is God's will for me (that's another blog), and continue being the best husband, dad, and paw paw that I can possibly be. However, before all of this, I will seek to deepen my relationship with the One who makes this all possible in the first place. I'll go back to my first love. Thank you Jesus.Instead of a\resolution, I'll take a God Solution. Happy New Year!</span><br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-53203596937858204032014-11-06T08:59:00.000-05:002014-11-06T08:59:23.129-05:00How to Help KP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We would like to take the work of this ministry into print for distribution to those who may not have internet access. With your help this could be a possibility one day. We thank you for your prayers and support!</span></b></div>
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-70868418009852087532014-06-17T18:15:00.002-04:002014-06-17T18:15:29.316-04:00KP Bookstore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-68065317647094328762014-04-02T12:01:00.002-04:002014-04-02T12:01:42.062-04:00Does God Speak in Dreams?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps this is an age-old question, "Does God speak to us through our dreams?" <br /><br />First of all, God has chosen to speak to people through their dreams in the bible. We find this in Genesis 37:5-10 with Joseph (Jacob's son), in 1 Kings 3:5-15 with Solomon, and with many others ( Daniel 2:1, Daniel 7:1, Matthew 27:19 ) as well. Maybe the most notable person we think of when it comes to God speaking through a dream to a person would be Joseph (Mary's husband) when he was warned in a dream, being told to take Mary and Jesus into Egypt before Herod set out on his massacre of the infant children. Prior to this Joseph was told to not fear taking Mary as his wife, for what was conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit. With all of these examples it is evident that it is scriptural that God speaks to people through dreams. <br /><br />The prophet Joel spoke of this in Joel 2:28, where it says, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I (God) will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. This has already taken begun, as we read in Acts 2:17 when Peter quotes the prophet Joel when he addresses the crowd after the Holy Spirit filled the believers in the upper room. Here Peter says, "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;"</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we know, this was the birthing of the Church on the day of Pentecost, and it was prophesied that in the last days these things would happen. If they were in the last days then, then it is safe to say that we definitely are now. This obvious answer to the question in light of all of this is that YES, God speaks to people in their dreams. To say that God cannot do this or anything is in reality foolish, for He is God, and God can do whatever He pleases. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I think where we get into trouble today though is that too many times people will have a dream and it will have complete authority in their life - Sometimes even over scripture. God's word should always be regarded as being the higher authority over our dreams. Today we see books being written and movies being made that are based on people's dreams about spirituality. If we are not careful, we can become mislead away from the word of God in our theology by giving attention to these things. <br /><br />There is one particular book, and now a movie about a little child that died, supposedly went to heaven, and returned. He described all he saw, and some of it is not found in the bible. This is not to say he didn't have an experience that was real to him, but perhaps it was just a dream? Sadly, there are many who will allow this child's story to become etched into their hearts as if it were as true as the bible. Some will even put it in a higher place of authority than the bible. This should never be!<br /><br />Some people go off the deep end too. If I only had a quarter for every time some spooky, spiritual, person in the church came up to me telling me about a dream that God gave them I would probably be a rich man. I'm not trying to dismiss dreams altogether, but we need to be careful. If we feel like God has given us a dream, we should prayerfully examine the bible to make sure this dream is in line with scripture. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." God will make it clear to you what your dream means if you seek Him for the understanding of it. Also, it could be that God is giving only you this dream, and it is not meant for you to go announce it to everyone else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In summary, I believe that God speaks to people in dreams today just as He did in the days of old. I believe it is our responsibility as believers in His word as final authority to hold any dream we are given up to the light of scripture, and to never count it as being equal to the bible. Our testimony, a vision, a dream, or any christian book, film, song, or anything else should also not be held in higher authority than the bible. </span><br /><div>
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-56282371520997297542014-03-25T11:17:00.000-04:002014-03-25T11:37:22.389-04:00The Subtle Danger of Compromise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friends, I've chosen to blog on this subject not because I've mastered it, but because I struggle with it in my everyday life. It's a subtle little thing called compromise. Through compromise a building, structure, belief, or even a person, doesn't fall down all at once, but little by little the foundation gets chipped away. In a building the foundation of stone gets chipped away, but when it comes to a person, their integrity gets chipped away. <br /><br />Perhaps my family, and my friends at work know this better than anyone as they are around me the most. It can start with allowing a little sin... just an occasional bad word... a once in a while dirty joke just to fit in. After all, I wouldn't want to be perceived as being too serious, or better than anyone else. This is what I think at the time, but what I'm not realizing is that when I do this, a little at a time, the foundation of integrity beneath me is getting chipped away. <br /><br />I realize that nobody is perfect (except for Jesus), but sometimes we also say that as just another excuse to compromise. What I need to do, and what anyone else who may also be going through this needs to do is to look to Jesus as our example. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />In Matthew 4:8-11 we read,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />When I read this passage I think about just how tricky and cunning the devil is, and how we can never trust him. Another thing that occurred to me though is that what the devil offered Jesus did kind of fit into His plan if we think about it. In John 3:16 we are told the purpose for Jesus coming to this world, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in His shall not perish, but will receive everlasting life." If we think about it for a second, Jesus could have chosen to make a compromise here, and could have reasoned that by obtaining all of the kingdoms of the world this could fit into His Father's plan. I'm so glad that Jesus didn't make such a compromise as that though. <br /><br />What some people may not know about me is that I was the pastor of a small church for about 7 years. As the former pastor of that church, there were many times that I felt like I was walking the thin line of compromise. I've wondered at times if we would have been more traditional as a church and less appealing to the youth, then would we have survived longer within an area full of traditional churches? <br /><br />I've always felt that there had to be a trade off between appealing to the old and to the young, but I think maybe at times we went too much after winning the youth to Christ over the older folks, when we should have balanced our efforts across the whole community instead. I guess I'll always wonder these things. Did we make too many compromises to bring in the youth? I simply don't know. All we can do now is rejoice in the fruit that the Lord has given, and I certainly do. <br /><br />I do believe that when God gives us an assignment, our enemy the devil, just as he tried to tempt Jesus to compromise, he will also try to get us to compromise. Often times it will look like a valid shortcut too, and it will seem like the right way to go. I can't say that every choice we made in ministry was wrong, for there have been lives changed by Jesus through the efforts we've made. <br /><br />As an individual though, I also see that everyday the enemy comes to tempt me into compromise. From what to watch on TV, to what to say within a group of friends to be "one of the guys" and to so many other places in my life - I'm facing the temptation to compromise. What I'm saying is I really do realize that we have an enemy, and I'm seeing how he wishes to utterly destroy us in any way he possibly can. <br /><br />Remember, our enemy will tempt us, but he will often be subtle in doing so. In the Garden of Eden Satan could have chosen any animal he wished to to speak to Eve, but he chose the most subtle one - the serpent. His strategy has not changed since that time, and he still sneaks up on us today with philosophies, ideologies, and opinions that seem right to us, and sometimes the new idea may seem like it is a godly one. This is why we need to know God's word, and walk daily with Him, if we are to discern the difference. <br /><br />Maybe you are experiencing this like I am. If so, then together let's look to Jesus. for He chose to not compromise, and He was, is, and will always be, victorious. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-73053461333145167952013-11-13T12:26:00.002-05:002013-11-14T09:20:17.228-05:00Parent Survival Tips: The Teen Years<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">As a young child the
individual has just recently become self aware, and have been learning
discipline from the parent(s). During all this time they are completely
dependent on the parents for everything. A big milestone in their
development is about to take place in their life, and there will be
needs that the parent cannot meet for them. During these changes the
parent may become frustrated as they may feel the need to be needed, and
the teen will push away as they seek to become more independent. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Of course I'm talking about those dreaded teen years (13 to 19 years old ), but trust me, you can get through this. You just need to know what to expect before it happens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">You may be amazed to find that suddenly, your teen knows everything, and yes, this means your teen will becoming increasingly argumentative. Even the smallest, most insignificant things will become a platform for them to assert their knowledge onto you, and you will most likely lose your cool, and so will they. This is because the teen is pushing for his or her independence and this means they want to be right about some things, but most of all, they want to prove to you that you don't know everything. My advice??? Let them be right once in a while, and don't be afraid to admit when you are wrong. Lose a battle in order to win the war. Also, let them know that whether you are right or wrong, you are still the parent, and you still make the decisions. While putting this out there, you need to let them also know they are going to be getting their independence a little at a time, and that you want them to be responsible.Trust me when I say you are only just getting started. There will be mood swings, new trends, styles, irritability, rolling eyes, and much more to come. Try to have patience with them, for their body is going through hormonal changes, and this is a lot of the reason behind their behavior. Still yet, don't be afraid to stand your ground, for you are the parent. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Beginning with puberty, this transitional period called adolescence (teenage)
begins, and the individual will begin changing from a child into an
adult. The elementary school that the individual once attended will soon be a
thing of the past, and they will attend a middle school or junior high.
The individual will find that there may be new students to meet, and new
friends to make. This new social environment will divide into smaller
groups, and there will be a longing for acceptance like never before.
The school will become a social battleground of sorts, and there will be
many social heroes and social casualties. There will be bullies, and
there will be the bullied. The parents will try to understand as best
they can, but the adolescent will not let them in all the time. There will be
needs that the parent cannot meet, and frustration. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Having been on both
sides of this situation as an adolescent who has experienced it, and as a
parent who has seen his daughter, and his two sons go through this
transitional period (each in different ways), I believe that there are
some pointers that I can now offer to parents about what to do and what
not to do. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Not listed in order of importance: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">(1)
Give them an atmosphere of communication, and listen more than you
talk. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">(2) Admit to them that you cannot fix their every problem, but you
are willing to help if ever needed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">(3) Let them know that you’ve been
there. Be honest and transparent, sharing both your good decisions, and
bad decisions when you were in their shoes. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">(4)And finally, give them
their space. Allow them some opportunities to be independent, and expand
as they make the right choices and become more responsible. Also shrink
their boundaries as they make the wrong decisions. Let them in on your
method, so that they know they are the one that is empowered with their
independence, by the actions they do, and choices they make.</span><br />
<br /></div>
Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-22557543000433030392013-09-22T11:00:00.003-04:002013-09-22T11:15:26.347-04:00Are People Born Homosexual?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've spoken gay people who believe they were born that way. While I can offer what the bible says about homosexuality being a sin, and a few theories outside of this, I'm not by any means trying to say that I know what it's like, for I feel a person would have to walk a mile in another person's shoes to actually know this. I do believe that gay people really feel like they were born that way, and I think I may be able to provide a scientific theory to that, but nothing more.<br /><br />While I don't believe that a person is born gay specifically, I DO believe that we are all born into sin, and it is sin in the bigger, more macro sense, that prevents us from being in the presence of the Holy God that loves us. We can read about this in Genesis chapter 3, that this was because of our own doing when man fell in the garden of Eden by direct disobedience to God. In doing so sin entered into this world by the first man and woman - Adam & Eve. As we are all offspring of these two people, we have inherited the sin that comes with them. So we are all born as sinful creatures. <br /><br />In Romans chapter 7, the Apostle Paul describes his own battle with sin, and here he makes a point that there are some who are not held accountable when they die for their sin. He says in Romans 7:9, "I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died." Paul couldn't have been speaking of his physical death, for he was still alive while writing this. Paul was speaking then of his spiritual death. Paul also said he was once alive, so this also has to mean spiritually and not physically. So yes, there are those like babies, children, and those who are mentally disabled who have not come to the place that they are accountable for their sin, and therefore because God is merciful, they are not judged for it.So would this God, who is full of mercy allow some people specifically to be born into a prison of homosexuality while most others are not? Is it not bad enough that we are born into sin in the general sense?<br /><br />I believe the bible has enough scriptural evidence in it to conclude that homosexuality is considered a sin just as much as any other sexual sin. This leaves questions that beg to be answered. Why do homosexual men and women feel they were born this way? I've heard this asked many times and yes, it is a very real and valid question. Does God permit people to be born gay so that He could punish them later? I personally don't think so, but I think I might have some thought on why a gay person may feel like they were born that way. <br /><br />It comes down to a question of nature vs. nurture. Nature = born that way, or nurture = influenced that way. I remember one of my college instructors once speaking about personal identity in my Human Development class. She went on to say that a child doesn't develop their self awareness, or personal identity until around the age of 6. During those fragile, early years prior they are influenced by a great deal of behavioral shaping from their parents and other influences, and they will take these early developed traits into their childhood, teen years, and finally into their adulthood. <br /><br />The female child who had a lot of male influences may grow into being a child who identifies more with boys, and may be called a "tomboy" - and maybe they would later begin pursuing things that are more feminine as they approach puberty; either by becoming feminine themselves, or by developing an affinity for those who are feminine, and therefore pursuing a gay lifestyle. This same theory is expressed also with the male who has had a lot of feminine influences in those early developmental years before the age of six. Being that we cannot recall a lot from those delicate, early years - it is assumed and feels like we were born as we now are.<br /><br />So in conclusion I don't believe that God has predestined some people to be born "as homosexual" but rather that they had developed into that lifestyle from early childhood. Of course this has a strong hold on them as it is a significant part of their developed identity, and they would insist they were born that way. I once asked a gay friend if it were possible that they could not be with the same sex, and could instead force their self to be with the opposite sex. He told me that it would be like asking me to stop being attracted to my wife and to become gay. I told him that I didn't feel like that would be possible for me to do, and he replied, "Neither can I." <br /><br />I feel like sometimes many a well-meaning Christian is being insensitive when they just blatantly tell a gay person that homosexuality is a choice. From the people I've spoken with, it certainly doesn't sound like these people have chosen to be gay. I mean who would willingly choose this lifestyle where they will be mocked, jeered at, and therefore made a minority in the world? The alternative would be to just have a heterosexual lifestyle and be deemed as "normal" by society at large. So no, I really think it goes beyond a person choosing this lifestyle - at least consciously doing so. I think it lies within the subconscious mind at a much deeper level, and it is well rooted into their identity itself. I think the Christian community acts callously towards the Gay community when they just throw bible verses at them from a distance, instead of showing empathy and love to them while sharing God's word.<br /><br />The bigger issue is sin. Can any of us fight it alone? No, for if we could then Jesus' death on the cross as the payment for it would not have been necessary. We could have just each found our own salvation. The problem is though that there is no other payment for our sin except for the death of Jesus. There is no other name in which we can be saved, except for the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12)<br /><br />This being the case we should lead people to Jesus instead of heterosexuality. The truth of God's word will take it from there. The Holy Spirit will do His work, and He will do so without damaging the name of Christ as we Christians sometimes can do. I'm not advocating that the Church should accept a person for leadership within the Church if they are living a gay lifestyle, but more-so if a person is living ANY lifestyle of sin then they should not be allowed to lead within the Church. Still, the doors of the church should not be closed to the Gay community, and I commend the Churches that are reaching out to them. It saddens me to see the Church on one side of this debate having those within it who just seek to outrage the Gay community and further alienate them, but I also see that there are those doing the same toward the Church on the side of the Gay community as well. It needs to be recognized that the ones creating trouble don't always represent the whole group, whether it's the Church, the Gay community, or any other group of collective people. <br /><br />I believe that one day when we stand before God there will be all kinds of people who have had to deal with all kinds of sin, and if they have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then ALL of these sins will be blotted out, and they will wear His righteousness, and not their own. In heaven there will be former alcoholics, former drug addicts, former murderers, and yes, people who have all dealt with sexual sin in their life too. These people will be saved not because of anything they could either do or not do about their sinful condition, but because of what Jesus did to save them, and the fact that they called upon His name. </span></span></div>
Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-48072305954935795972013-09-01T08:11:00.000-04:002013-09-01T09:41:35.443-04:00Child Discipline & the Bible<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> No doubt you've probably heard the old phrase, "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child!" Like most people I actually assumed this phrase was in the bible. After doing some searching for it I made some interesting discoveries. While this
phrase itself is not found in the bible, there seems to be verses
that support the use of this phrase.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Proverbs 13:24</span></span> </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He who spares his rod hates his son,<br />But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Proverbs. 22:15</span></span> </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,<br />but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Proverbs 23:13-14</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Do not
withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he
will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Proverbs 29:15</span></span> </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The rod of correction imparts wisdom,</span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />but a child left to itself disgraces his mother.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've participated in debates with those who feel that spanking a child
is an abusive form of punishment, and a cruel thing to do to their
children. I'll admit when I hear of the biblical use of a rod to discipline children, it sends a shudder down my spine too. These days parents don't use a rod (an instrument that the shepherds would carry to protect their sheep). Instead most parents who would spank their children would use a belt. The concept is clearly given though in the Bible that the spanking is an okay form of discipline. Does this mean that according to the bible there is only one way to discipline our children though? I don't think so.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While I point to the bible and what it teaches in the above
verses, I'll also admit that there are other punishments too that will teach a child their lesson. That is the goal actually - that they will learn from their bad behavior. With the spanking they will learn that the consequences they feared the most are now before them. They have earned them by crossing a line they shouldn't have crossed. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With our own children grounding and taking away privileges worked as well,
but on occasion, and if the offense was severe enough, then yes, the spanking
was administered. <br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you're like me, then you have probably
been around those parents who never discipline their children in
any way, let alone spank them. At times maybe as you've seen their
children's disgusting behavior you even entertained the thought of
demonstrating to them how useful a good spanking could be, but I won't
go there. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Regardless of which side of the fence you're on when it comes
to this issue, the bible is certainly clear when it comes to utilizing
the spanking as an act of discipline. This isn't to say that grounding,
or taking the away of privileges isn't effective, but certainly
spanking being given does also help. Does the sparing
of the spanking (rod) actually spoil the child? Let's look at the meaning of the word spoil... <br /><br />According to Dictionary.com</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spoil: to impair, damage, or harm the character or nature of
(someone) by unwise treatment, excessive indulgence, etc.: to
spoil a child by pampering him. </span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />It could be said that
the sparing of a spanking then could be pampering a child, but I believe
this goes even deeper than that. It could mean a child that always gets
their way as well would become spoiled. I've seen both wealthy children
and impoverished children who were spoiled, so money doesn't have as
much to do with it as we might think it does. <br /><br />In conclusion,
even though this actual phrase itself is not found in the bible, it is a
phrase that is supported somewhat by the bible in various verses. These verses
teach us too that a child who is left undisciplined from the spanking
(rod) is probably going to have a negative (spoiled) behavior. This is
something they may carry all of their life. <br /><br />To those who still
feel like it is barbaric to spank a child, the bible seems to comfort us
with these words; "if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.
Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death." This is also why
the bible teaches us that in punishing them we love them. <br />Of course we shouldn't expect the child to understand this concept, and I myself didn't as a child. The barbaric thing to actually do would be to allow the child to get away with their bad behavior, and to let them loose on society afterward.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Like I said, the child won't understand the "WHY" of this discipline, and I certainly didn't. However, now that
I'm older I do understand the necessity of my parents at times
having to spank me. When I became an adult myself it became something we
would all laugh about, and today I'm thankful to them, and I believe that I'm a better adult for it. It
is now as an adult that I understand the verse when it says, "He who
spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him
promptly." I'm thankful that I rarely had to implement this punishment
to my kids, but today they all have a good character, and I believe
it was in part because of my wife and I "not sparing the rod." (of course not literally)<br /><br />I
do also think that some of the arguments that I keep hearing from
people opposed to spanking are legitimate ones that need to be
addressed. They would ask, "At which point does it become abusive?" This is a legitimate question. I
believe there should always be safeguards put in place to prevent this, and if there
are 2 parents in the home, then each parent should hold the other
one accountable. A child should never be spanked by an angry parent. If the
parent is angry with the child, then they should always allow for a cool
off time before the spanking, or to let the other spouse administer the spanking. <br /><br />My parents would send me to my
room, then in about 10 minutes or so come in to give me the spanking.
This was probably just as bad as the spanking itself, but it was very
constructive as it allowed me time to reflect about what I had done
wrong, and the punishment I earned for it. Also, how I would not do it
again. They actually had a good system whether they realized it or not. Dad was the one who gave the spankings primarily, and the words that I feared most as a child were, "Wait until your dad gets home."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The verse says, "Punish him with the rod and save his soul from
death." Perhaps the greatest value of being spanked for wrongdoing is
how it teaches us that there are dire consequences for our actions. In
comparison to the larger scale of life that is laid out before the
child, can you think of ways that this could be a valuable asset to
them? The consequences of a bad behavior to others can mean bad
relationships, and more. Bad behavior
unchecked can later turn into a life of crime. The consequences of crime can
mean prison time or death. Farther reaching than this, just think of the negative ripple effect that is created throughout society as this adult with negative behavior interacts with countless others.<br /><br />The Wages of sin is death! (Romans 6:23), so by
disciplining the child with groundings, privileges being taken away,
and YES, with the spanking too, the child may grow up with a better
understanding that they are going to be held accountable for their
actions (good or bad). Just as in society where we finds punishments varying in degrees to fit the severity of the crimes committed, I believe there should be a variance in punishments given in parenting. To spank a child for every little thing is wrong of course, so only in the extreme cases of bad behavior should the spanking be given. For lesser offenses a time out chair, losing a privilege, a fine from their allowance money, or being grounded could be good options.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Giving your child an understanding of what punishment would fit what offense may help them later understand
the legal system better as an adult, and they may even become better citizens, obeying
the laws of the land, and all of this from receiving punishment for bad
behavior early on in life. Ultimately, on the spiritual side, it would even give some added
gravity to the problem of sin, the debt we owe for it, and how Jesus
paid our penalty for us. <br /><br />It's not as big a deal to me now, but it sure was
when I was young during those times as a child when I waited alone in my
bedroom for the punishment that was coming. Oh, how I longed to be
saved from it. If only someone could have taken that punishment for me,
how much I would have owed that person. We're talking ALL of my lunch money! That relief never came though.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once when I was young, a friend and I decided to shoplift some things from a local store. We were caught by a security guard, taken to the office, and our parents were called. When dad picked me up, and told me on our way home that I was getting a whooping (as he called it), I remember the sense of dread that came over me to this day. My adolescent mind wandered in the what ifs... What if we got into a car wreck on the way home and I didn't get the whooping? What if dad suddenly got sick and was unable to give me a whooping? What if? What if? What if? Well, dad lived up to his promise then, and for every other time he said it. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today I love both of my parents, and miss my dad, who is now deceased. I also like to think that I have benefited in my life from receiving spankings in my early years for my bad behavior. I'm not a psychologist, but I do remember the psychological</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> impact that this discipline left on me, and the outcome was a positive one.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-73051155064334247202013-08-13T08:55:00.000-04:002013-08-13T08:55:00.004-04:00Keep Walking - Don't Give Up!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNmdh-Qt_ia58c9A8ThLtQKNGml7zO8jM9Jk0J2N_6pHcEX8EaCguDhiDBjO85t_NoxjzLyySGvgi9SmAG4gEV5rJ80kaitBRzCjXMe6-AcelSyzYuYHFGfSB-MS6NmAtxw9SFzxiNbw/s1600/walk.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNmdh-Qt_ia58c9A8ThLtQKNGml7zO8jM9Jk0J2N_6pHcEX8EaCguDhiDBjO85t_NoxjzLyySGvgi9SmAG4gEV5rJ80kaitBRzCjXMe6-AcelSyzYuYHFGfSB-MS6NmAtxw9SFzxiNbw/s200/walk.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We all can think back to better times in our lives. Maybe you are older now and miss the days of your youth. Maybe it was when your children were home, and you now are empty nested. Maybe you were in better health before than you are now. Maybe you were at one time in a closer relationship with God than you are now, and you are now missing those days of a closer fellowship with Him. Maybe you were once in a church fellowship that you miss, or you miss your parents or another loved-one that has passed away. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the Bible, when we read about Job, and all of the trouble he had, we also get to see that he was no different than we are. While in his suffering he actually said, "Oh, that I were as in the months of old." (Job 29:2 ). This shows us that he was just as human as we are, and felt the same emotions as we do when facing trouble. However, I don't know anyone who has gone through as much as he did. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sometimes it is easy for us not only as humans, but as Christians to reflect back to better days with a sense of longing to see them once again. This often happens when we are not as happy in our present life. I know when I first became a Christian, I told everyone about Jesus, and what He had done for me. I read my bible as if I were a hungry beggar eating bread. I spoke often with the Lord, and especially every morning while the rest of the world was still. I remembered once hearing an older saint tell me that the reason I was so zealous was because I was a "baby Christian." He went on to tell me that after a while I would simmer down. At the time I felt like saying, "Get behind me Satan" to this man, but I just ignored it. I wish I could say I'm just as zealous for the Lord today as I was then, but if I were honest, I'd have to admit I have simmered down just as the old man had told me. I still pray in the mornings, and other times, I still read my bible, and when the opportunity presents itself, I still witness to people. Something has changed though. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Oh, that I were as in the months of old." - except I would have to say years. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What has happened? I still believe in Christ. I still put my trust in Him. I still love Him. However, today I've got a few more spiritual battle scars than I did back then. I've encountered more doctrines, religious traditions set by men with ulterior motives, and just (no better way to express it) cruel people. I signed up for the carnival ride that was being a Christian, and quickly began to realize that this ride was more intense than I first realized. I wasn't at the carnival at all, but I had enlisted in a war! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today, when I think back to the older saint who said, "...I would simmer down" I'm not nearly as judgmental toward him. Instead I see him as a much older, and wiser man, who had already collected his share of spiritual battle scars in his years. A good friend of mine once told me that "Christendom is a great institution, and within it you might even find a few Christians." I realize that this is a very somber, and negative outlook at the Church, but it has to some degree been my own experience. I'm happy to say that I've encountered way more than just a few people that I suspected were Christians within it however. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've met people that have kept their zeal for longer periods of time. I have met those too that after taking a few steps into their new found Christian walk, they have given up, and returned to their old ways - some even being bitter towards Christianity afterward. Then there have been those who have kind of fallen into a mold of Christian duties without having a lot of enthusiasm about it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So how does one keep from becoming completely jaded as they step out their Christian walk? I'm afraid that people may think I'm saying you will not encounter problems, but this is not the case. I'm saying that as a Christian you will be attacked by the enemy. He will use other people both outside and inside the Church to do so. There are ways to ward off his attacks however, and to fight against that temptation of just giving up. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First of all, you will need to take the focus off of yourself, and put it back on Jesus. Another way to put it more bluntly would be, it's not about you! It's all about HIM! Next we should take off the rose colored glasses we were wearing, and see the true reality - we do have an enemy, and we are at war with him. Many of us discover that we were disillusioned about what our new life would be like after becoming a Christian. Maybe we were promised wealth, health, and we perceived God as a benevolent old grandpa the sky that would never allow us to suffer. The truth is Jesus told us that we would suffer in this world, didn't He? A disillusion is not a bad thing actually, for it means the end of an illusion. Now we see the truth! The Christian life may not be easy, but it may actually be harder than going with the flow of the world. So welcome to swimming upstream. <br /><br />Fellow Christian, you don't have to lose your zeal for God. You will have your valleys and your mountain top experiences while living for God. You will find your strength if you stay in fellowship with God through a healthy prayer life, reading His word, allowing it to renew your mind, abstaining from sin, and when you slip up, taking it to Him immediately, and also by having fellowship with others who are walking along the same road as you are, while encouraging each other, and keeping each other accountable. If you find yourself longing for the "months of old" in your Christian walk, then seek God and tell Him about it. He has a purpose for your life that involves transforming you to be more like His Son, Jesus. We can look back at the good old days, or the revivals of yesteryear, but we also can look forward to our future, both here with the ups and downs of life, but most of all when we someday step out into our eternal life, where there will be no more downs. </span></span><br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-8634559450877713122013-07-08T21:35:00.000-04:002013-07-08T21:43:00.663-04:00Where is your Samaria?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Christian friend of mine used to go into bars with another Christian friend of his. They would walk in separately as if they didn't know each other. One would drink coffee and the other would sip on a beer. The two would walk up near people and act out a skit. My friend drinking the coffee would witness to the his friend drinking the beer (who would act as if he were a little buzzed), and he would then share the Gospel message with him. The one drinking the beer would then speak to the people around him saying, "This guy here is telling me that Jesus died for my sins and that if I put my faith in Him, that I could be forgiven, and saved from judgment.... is that true?" The usual responses were people in a bar agreeing and telling the man that this was indeed true. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The end result was that there would usually be drunken people affirming and sharing the gospel message that was first shared by my coffee sipping friend. This creative style of evangelism may seem unorthodox, and perhaps borderline dangerous, but the point is there was light being shined into the darkness, and the seed of God's word was being sown into people's hearts. While I personally feel this is pretty extreme, and that my acting skills probably couldn't pull this off, I also honestly believe that they will never fully realize the impact they had in people's lives until they get to heaven one day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe our first reaction is that this was too far out there, or that a Christian shouldn't step foot in such a place. I've heard other opinions that this is deceitful, and even have heard it referred to once as a "pathetic ploy" by a non-christian friend of mine. Although this is an unconventional means of evangelism, I personally applaud the effort taken to reach out into a place of spiritual darkness, and to shine the light of Jesus Christ. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before you rush to judge my friend for being in this place, you may want to also consider that while Jesus walked the earth in the flesh, as a man, He also preferred going into the darkest and most undesirable of places, and then bringing the Kingdom of Heaven into people's lives. I personally think this is a very courageous thing, to step out of our comfort zones and to go out to reach the lost like this.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Back in Jesus' time walking on the earth there were places that the Jewish people simply did not go. Samaria was one such place. Samaria separated Galilee to the north, from Jerusalem in the south, and although the shortest way to each place was to travel through Samaria, the Jews despised the Samaritan people so much that they would normally go around their country, preferring to take a longer route. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jesus however, would eat with tax collectors, speak to sinners, heal lepers, and yes... even walk though Samaria as He would travel.On one such journey, Jesus stopped at a well near a small town in Samaria called Sychar. There He met a woman who was there. Women, in biblical times were consider to be a man's property. They virtually had no rights, and customarily, it was an unthinkable thing for a Rabbi to condescend enough to speak to a woman. It was also an unthinkable thing for a Jew to speak to a Samaritan. Jesus chose to cross both of these cultural lines at one time when He spoke to this Samaritan woman. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">John 4:7-26 says, </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gp0mdryJ7uM_cNl-PvkNP78yy9UFgpLaypS_45pb_SidmgBp8k6aYwphHRKWc2lbOHBNptcXXiP6pdfh5pnQe81WrKmEcuTwxpBrWoc3yyBpLMfoyajAqk34d9Ed49arWncEx_zsodA/s1600/woman_at_the_well-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gp0mdryJ7uM_cNl-PvkNP78yy9UFgpLaypS_45pb_SidmgBp8k6aYwphHRKWc2lbOHBNptcXXiP6pdfh5pnQe81WrKmEcuTwxpBrWoc3yyBpLMfoyajAqk34d9Ed49arWncEx_zsodA/s200/woman_at_the_well-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” 15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” 19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I find it to be significantly revealing of Jesus' character that after He directly revealed Himself as the Messiah to this Samaritan woman at the well. A good PR man would have advised Jesus to reveal such a truth to the religious leaders of the day, but Jesus placed such a value upon this woman, that He chose to reveal the greatest truth in the universe, His very deity, to a woman who was deemed a social outcast among His people. Why? Because Jesus valued this person. He treated this woman as if she were somebody, and guess what? She was somebody to Jesus, and so are you! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe you feel like a modern-day Samaritan yourself. I remember once when I was a young man. I didn't know Jesus as my Lord at that time. I used to hit the bars too, but not to minister to people as my friend did. After a while I wanted a change in my life, but didn't know what to do. I confided with a cousin who I would go clubbing with about this, and we both decided that we should go to church. I didn't have the nicest clothes, and neither did he. We randomly picked a church and went. We both felt out of place as we were under dressed. I also had long hair, which I learned later was frowned upon by this particular denomination. some people were friendly, but my cousin and I also received some real funny looks. The overall experience was that we felt as if we didn't belong there, so we didn't go back. Looking back at it now, I felt like a Samaritan sitting in a temple full of Jewish people. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unfortunately the Jewish people of Jesus time on earth were very overly concerned with not defiling themselves by going near the Samaritans. Jesus showed them (and us) the true heart of God, that loves the unlovable, that desires the undesirable, and seeks those who are lost. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The bible has plenty to say about avoiding sin, but Christians also need to resist being so preoccupied with being sinless that they shun the very people who are trapped in sin - the ones that Jesus died for so they could be freed from sin. Jesus showed us how to reach out to the sinner, while not sinning Himself. How? By letting them know they have value and that they are loved! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I believe Mark Driscoll, in his book "Radical Reformission" summed it up beautifully when he wrote, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> "One of the underlying keys to reformission is knowing that neither the freedom of Christ nor our freedom in
Christ is intended to permit us to dance as close to sin as possible
without crossing the line. But both are intended to permit us to dance
as close to sinners as possible by crossing the lines that unnecessarily
separate the people God has found from those he is still seeking</span></span>."</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How sad is it though that many times we toss the sinner into the sin dumpster, wipe our hands, and walk away feeling like we are holy? This is the opposite of what Jesus would do for He loves people, but how do we make this practical for us today in our everyday life? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Where is your Samaria? Is it a culture you are prejudice against? Is it a section of town that you look down on? Are you harboring racist feelings or holding onto a stereotype about a certain group of people?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I believe God is looking for Christians who be willing to step out in faith, and go where they would not usually go in order to reach the lost. This may not necessarily mean into a bar, but it definitely will mean stepping out of our protective bubble of Church friends, and creating new spheres of contact with people. What good is salt if it is left in a salt shaker? We as Christians are called to be salt that has a purpose - that is - to season the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To be willing to say, "Yes Lord!" would be our first step. We should then pray for God to cross our path with whoever He wishes to regardless of who they are. What could happen? Well, in the case with the woman at the well, she ran into the nearby town, told everyone there about Jesus, they accepted Him into their town and He stayed there a few days. The end result was that lives were changed forever, and all because He didn't choose to walk around Samaria, but instead chose to walk into it because He loves them. <br /><br /> Where is YOUR Samaria?</span></span><br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-58947453887192443922013-06-27T13:19:00.002-04:002013-06-27T19:49:57.057-04:00For the Steppies Everywhere<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Overcoming the negative stereotype of the Stepparent.</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let's play a quick word association game. I'll say a word, you will have to say the first thing that comes to your mind. The word.... Stepfather.... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Did a good person come to your mind? Did you think of someone you know who has a stepfather? ...or did you think of a horror movie character, an abusive alcoholic, or someone like that?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now here's another word... Stepmother... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Did a good person come to your mind? </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Did you think of someone you know who has a stepmother? ...or did an image of poor Cinderella scrubbing the floor as her stepsisters went to the ball come to your mind? </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're not familiar with the story of Cinderella, then that's okay. There's a wicked stepmother in Snow White, and other stories too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Perhaps some who are reading this may think it is a foolish topic. Maybe nothing negative at all comes to your mind when you think about stepparents. If that is the case then <u>thank you</u>, for you have risen above the stigmas and stereotypes that society has branded us with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Among the good step-parents in the world there are also the bad ones, just like you will find both good parents and bad parents. The word "parent" however doesn't tend to set off the same alarms as the word "step-parent" does in our society. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have personally encountered this as a step-dad over the past 20 something years.</span> Usually when speaking to a teacher, or a little league coach this would occur. I would be called Mr. Blankenship instead of Mr. Tedford, which was an honest assumption since the children's last name is Blankenship. I would then tell them my last name is Tedford, and then feel obligated to go on explaining that I'm their stepdad. Most people would say okay and leave it there, but sometimes there would be someone who would try to pry in to it a bit more as if this were some new phenomenon they had never heard of before. Of course for the sake of my wife and children, I wouldn't go there, but would just politely get back on the subject we were originally there for.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've come to learn that the first initial thing that comes to peoples mind is that this person must have been the other man, and it is probably assumed that there must have been a divorce in my wife's first marriage, and that I'm part of the reason why. I've never had anyone ask me if this was the case, but there have been instances where I felt like it was assumed by people. If this were the case then I would have to accept it as the consequences, but it is a harder pill to swallow when it is not the case. We just have to live with the stereotypes and desperately try now to live up to them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F-DDcwm1-W4PP2g6OGzICyw25n9OzvgnEKGdOaj7D8STb_3hfCJEa4gSHwsNnRadnAMaLyRw_V26VhyVem7vdj2V4w8kaQK9g00Iaq8j_pbsCrjIuTUW9vhceH_fvstR47uvXtOXwio/s238/stepmother.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4F-DDcwm1-W4PP2g6OGzICyw25n9OzvgnEKGdOaj7D8STb_3hfCJEa4gSHwsNnRadnAMaLyRw_V26VhyVem7vdj2V4w8kaQK9g00Iaq8j_pbsCrjIuTUW9vhceH_fvstR47uvXtOXwio/s200/stepmother.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just to further make my point about steppie stereotypes, I typed into Google Images the word "stepmother" - not wicked stepmother or anything descriptive, just the word itself, "stepmother" and this image to the right was among the first images shown...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> You may recognize her as the wicked stepmother from the Disney classic, Snow White. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQWDXANYuhukvdhNF5NVEindVgzp2PAPuw3WZSg47jXwiyKTpfNneN-Nc-ni9Hc6T3WSUD6372Pj_7pzsCXgoip8dL3DZsOQJHDCv0Moppj-UnQohnj5N_Ca6GmMbn24kNHoRj3DtDyM/s318/stepdad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQWDXANYuhukvdhNF5NVEindVgzp2PAPuw3WZSg47jXwiyKTpfNneN-Nc-ni9Hc6T3WSUD6372Pj_7pzsCXgoip8dL3DZsOQJHDCv0Moppj-UnQohnj5N_Ca6GmMbn24kNHoRj3DtDyM/s200/stepdad.jpg" width="134" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I then typed into </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Google Images the word "stepfather"and among the first pictures shown was this...</span></span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My guess is that junior's grades were not up to par, so he has to be strangled with his stepfather's tie. This movie was released 2009. I have never seen it, and I intend to never watch it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are many good people out there (I like to think myself included) that don't deserve this stigma, but there is absolutely nothing that I know of that can ever be done to erase it. In other words, we just live with it and go on, and we try to be the best stepparent we can be to disprove these negative stereotypes that we have been labeled with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Advice to the Steppies...</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every family is different, and every situation is different. There is no one exact way to be a good stepparent. Regardless of what the family situation is... whether there was a divorce, or whether there was a death that left an empty space to be filled in the family (like in my family), there are important things to remember. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whatever the situation is there needs to be a lot time given to adjust for the children, for your spouse (who is the natural mother or father), and for you. Most likely this family has endured something, or else there wouldn't even be a need for you to be there. There needs to be patience, understanding, and a lot of love most of all in this home.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You may at times be attacked by the child as they may resent these adjustments, and they may take it out on you. You can't take this personally. The proper thing to do is to respect the child by giving them their space, but let them also know you are doing this by using words of understanding and affirmation. This isn't always easy to do, but over time they will appreciate you for your patience with them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>When there's an Ex - there's a way!</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In situations where there may be an ex-wife or ex-husband who has a shared custody of the child things can sometimes be tricky especially if hostility exists between the parents. As the new husband or wife, you should share with your spouse that their ex is speaking poorly of you in front of, or to the child, and then the court should be made aware of this. Confronting the ex is the temptation, but this will do nothing but hurt your relationship with the child in doing this, and you may even unintentionally reinforce what the ex is already saying about you in the eyes of the child. Also, don't speak poorly of the ex in front of their child, for this is also poor behavior. In time as the child grows older, they will reflect back on it and realize with more clarity who the real troublemaker was. Perhaps if you take the advice of the bible, you will even pray for the ex, and speak kindly of them. Isn't this the ultimate example of Christ - to love your enemies? The children will remember this. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> The Other Family</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To the stepparent who has married a widow, and has stepchildren who have lost their parent, my heart goes out to you for you are in a unique setting. All I can say is that you will find yourself in very uncomfortable positions at times. I've found that the best approach is to stay positive and to put the children's best interest ahead of your own interests. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most marriages consist of two families coming together. This is not the case in your new family as a stepparent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Their best interest is not to isolate them, so the right thing to do is keeping them connected with their deceased parent's family, as well as yours, and your spouses families. For me this was easy for they are delightful people. At first though I wasn't sure what to expect when first meeting them. Would they resent me? I've spoken to some other stepparents and have heard that they didn't get along with the family of the deceased parent. Thankfully my experience was a good one, and we've embraced each other as family. We share a common interest - we love the children and their mother.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bonding with the Children</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For a stepparent to bond with the children it is important that you remember that you are not taking their parents place, but just their space. Finding common interests is very helpful. You may not find them too easily, but try not to over think this. When I first met my wife (then girlfriend) Ann's children, we found a common interest right away. We both agonized about trying to reach the next level of Super Mario World. Who would've thought that little Italian Plumber running around could be a common interest? For others it may be cooking, sports, or something else. Find what you have in common and go with it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Respecting their Boundaries</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I learned too that there were places that were simply off-limit to me. Like many children I think they had a fear of losing their daddy completely - even his memory. Therefore, it was an important thing for me to put my own feelings on hold, and to reassure them that I wasn't trying to erase their daddy any further from their lives. Sometimes children who have lost a parent may think this is the intention of a new stepparent (and hopefully it isn't). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you are a stepparent you need to understand that your relationship with the children as a parent is always going to be a shared one to some degree. You will share every Father's Day (or Mother's Day), your children will tell stories of happy memories that don't involve you, and your Christmas tree may even have an ornament just for that person they have lost. If you are a selfish person you will not do well with this, for it requires a lot of giving, and an attitude of self-sacrifice. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Don't Lay Down the Law!</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nothing disgusts me more than seeing the attitude like there is a new sheriff in town. If you want to have children who will listen to you, but will also hate you, then that would be the way to do it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Someone told me once while I was dating Ann that I should give the children my last name after we got married. I quickly told that person (who meant no harm) that their name was all they had left from their dad, and I wasn't going to take that away from them. There were always pictures in their bedrooms of their daddy as they grew up. Of course in time you will grow on them, but you should never try to compete for their affection. There is enough room in their heart for both of you. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Do not force it!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've heard of mothers telling their children to call the new stepdad "dad", and I've always disagreed with this. For me it was a personal decision to have the children call me Randy if they wished even after I was married to their mother, but I never told them either way, to not call me daddy, or to call me daddy. I wanted to leave it up to them, even if it meant risking that they would never call me daddy. In their own time all three of them began calling me daddy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today I'm thankful that I did it this way, for I feel like it was a privilege that I earned, instead of a title that I placed upon myself. I also don't call them my stepchildren. This isn't because there is anything wrong with the word, but to me they are my kids, and I notice as well they don't refer to me as their stepdad, for to them I'm just dad. When you love each other as much as we do an extra syllable just gets in the way anyway. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>There is Hope! </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So keep your chin up steppies. Even though there are those out there that tend to give us a bad name, and there all kinds of negative media about us, there are also a lot of success stories like mine. I've made a lot of mistakes, but I think I've also done some things right as well. Today I have three adult kids, and we have good relationships. What is my secret? No secret at all really... I didn't have a clue, but with the help of my wife, following her example of parenting, and with a lot of grace from God, it all somehow worked out well. Today, neither the kids, my wife, nor I am a basket case. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some things I would advise is that a stepparent must have patience, understand their role, and embrace it. Give them their space when they need it, show them the respect they deserve, and above all else let them know how much you love them. Chances are they may return it all back to you also. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBNQXyOmAlJuhpn8bXNG7y9TXcc8wpXcqi9RH-kripprpruc8YDopw6Z-7Kq0G2_kM7IxkPRA47NrtMbGyqVbKR4Lfl1aNqntWrv-oCeHNJeFipdCws6KVxbfMe6TaLRPA6ByyvH-_IY/s799/RandyAnnDeidraKevinThomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBNQXyOmAlJuhpn8bXNG7y9TXcc8wpXcqi9RH-kripprpruc8YDopw6Z-7Kq0G2_kM7IxkPRA47NrtMbGyqVbKR4Lfl1aNqntWrv-oCeHNJeFipdCws6KVxbfMe6TaLRPA6ByyvH-_IY/s320/RandyAnnDeidraKevinThomas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My Family when the kids were young. 1997-ish.</span></td></tr>
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-44656721116498411462013-06-08T10:37:00.000-04:002013-06-08T16:56:58.190-04:00The Realm of the Demonic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Hollywood has given us many misconceptions, and has given birth to many superstitions over the years when it comes to the subject of demon possession. Although there may be some truth hidden in a movie like "The Excorcist" or more recently in 2005, "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," for the most part these movies rely on theatrics, special effects, and shock factors, all in the hopes of making a scary movie for the viewers. </span></span><span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Therefore, most people tend to gravitate towards whatever Hollywood has taught them about demonic possession. Due to these over-the-top theatrics many people have come to a disbelief in demonic possession as well, in spite of the countless cases involving the unexplainable phenomena throughout history. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For those of us like myself not wanting to get our answers from an industry that is often influenced by the demonic, let's examine what the bible has to say on the subject of demonic possession instead. First we will look at what it is in general. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What are Demons?</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Within the body of Christ there is some debate about what demons actually are, and truthfully, nobody can honestly say, "they know" for we are all mere students of God's word, and there are many spiritual truths that God has not yet revealed to man. (Deuteronomy 29:29)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So at best we can say we have theories about demons and their origin. One such theory is that </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> demons are the disembodied spirits of the
Nephilim (Genesis 6). The Nephilim
are the offspring of fallen angels and humans. The theory goes as follows: Nephilim were
destroyed in the flood, yet their spirits remained on the earth as what we now call demons. Other theories involve a pre-Adamic race that existed. In the King James 1611 version, and in some of the revised KJV's, Genesis 1:28 uses the phrase "replenish the earth" and again used in Genesis 9:1. Some believe this must mean a pre-adamic race existed and they now are in operation as demons under the rule of Satan. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Personally I believe that Demons are evil spirits, and judging from the description given in the bible, they are fallen angels. Demons are Angels that opposed God and his work. Like Satan, they were probably
created before the world was created. Revelation 12:4 tells us about a third of the angels falling. It is therefore believed by most who study the bible (including myself) that these fallen angels became demons. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The bible teaches us that God has angels and He also has them ranked. Satan's name before his fall was Lucifer, and he was God's highest ranking angel w<span class="st"></span>hen he was in Heaven. (<span class="st">Ezekiel 28:13). We also see in places throughout the bible where Michael is referred to as the Archangel. It is very clearly laid out that God is not running things chaotically, but He has an assigned duty for each of His angels. Likewise, Lucifer (now Satan), imitates God for he seeks to be God. Satan has also placed a system of ranking on his angels (demons). </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">Whatever their origin, demons seem to make one thing very clear. Like Satan, and the fallen angels, they oppose the work of God. This can be bad news for the average person, but for the Christian there is hope. There are things we need to know however, for it is always wise to know our enemy. I believe the bible teaches us that we are clearly outnumbered even though we (as Christians) have authority over demons. How many demons are there? We do not know a specific number, but we have been given clues, that is, if demons are indeed fallen angels. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">As an exile the Apostle John, </span><span class="st">on an island in the Aegean Sea called Patmos, was given a vision from God, and he recorded this down. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">Revelation 5:11 (NIV) says:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st"></span>Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands
upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the
throne and the living creatures and the elders.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now this figure comes to 100,000,000 angels that John is describing, so I think it is safe to say that John was estimating on what he saw. In other words, John was overwhelmed at a number that was far too innumerable to count. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When Jesus encountered a man who was demon possessed who had been living in the tombs, He asked the demon his name. <span class="text Luke-8-30" id="en-NKJV-25276"><span class="woj"></span></span><span class="text Luke-8-30">The demon replied, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him </span>(Luke 8:30). In a Roman army, the size of a legion has varied between 3,600 to 6,000 soldiers depending on the period of rule, but even at the lowest figure this would be a vast amount of demons to be wasted on just one man! To say that everyone on the earth has 3,600 demons trying to attack them may be a stretch, but it is shown here that a person could have this many or more. It is safe to guess that there are far more angels, and even far more demons, than there are people. </span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Demonic Possession </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the bible we find that there were people who were in fact possessed by demons. In this case the demon has assumed control of the persons body, and they are directly controlled by the demon. These people's speech and actions are now that of the demons. In the following bible passages we see this example:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Matthew 17:14-18 (NKJV) says, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;">In cases where there is demonic possession, the person has no control over his or her own body, just like the man in the passage above. </span></span></span><br />
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<b><span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Demonic Oppression</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are also people in the bible who were oppressed by demons. It is very important that we know the difference between possession and oppression. Demonic oppression could mean any variety of attacks like illness, whether physical or mental. It could be addictions, sleeplessness, nightmares, and any other way to cause a person anxiety. Whether you are a Christian or not, you are not immune to these attacks. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;">This isn't to say that every bad thing that happens is a demon, for we certainly don't want to give the devil too much credit. Many times our physical ailments are our own fault when we get sick if we don't eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, etc... Also, our financial problems we face may be our own doing if we don't budget our money and plan things wisely. W</span></span>e are under attack, but sometimes I think we make the devil's job pretty easy by the way we treat ourselves. </span><br />
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<span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Demonic Influence</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;">T</span></span><span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;">here are people who may not be possessed, and they may not even be
oppressed by the demon (that they are aware of), but they are definitely influenced by the demon. This is probably where most of us encounter the
demonic, although we are often unaware of it. When you are tempted to sin where do you think this temptation comes from? </span></span>The easy answer would be the devil, however the devil is not omnipresent as God is, so he can only be in one place at a time. The devil (Satan) must rely on an entire network of demons to d his dirty work. How big is this army of demons? Answer: we do not know, however we can speculate based upon what we do know in scripture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The truth is, if Satan and his demons can tempt you to sin, and cause yourself harm, then you have made their job easy, and they can move onto the next person, while the sin you have committed then produces what the demons hoped for it to accomplish. </span><br />
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<span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>The Demon and Christians</b> </span></span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="articleBody" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus dealt with demons trying to oppress Him, but He would immediately put them in their proper place when He encountered them. He would take authority over them. Of course we are tempted to think, "Yeah, but that was Jesus." What we need to understand though is that we also, as the children of God, have authority over the demonic realm in the name of Jesus. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.03125px;">We Christians, in the name of Jesus Christ, have the power to resist evil. In fact the bible tells us that when we resist the devil and submit ourselves to God, then the devil will flee. (James 4:7)</span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.03125px;">As a Christian you are indwelt with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19). Since this is the case there is no demon going to ever push God, the Holy Spirit out of his way and then move in on Him. God has made His children "new creations" (2 Cor 5:17) and therefore, this means a true Christian cannot be possessed by a demon. </span></span></span><br />
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<span itemprop="articleBody"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.03125px;">In the overall scheme of things though these demons are even used as mere pawns by God's mighty hand. While they can still oppress us and influence us through temptation, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3a3a3a; line-height: 19.03125px;">It is always a good idea to ask the Lord to bind demons on your behalf. We also must remember though that God's ultimate goal is not to make us happy, but to see us become more like His son Jesus. Because of this, God lets some things happen to us in order to do this.</span></span><br /><strong><br /></strong></span><br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-37103574251255486622013-05-29T11:43:00.002-04:002013-05-29T14:58:00.640-04:00Jesus.. starring Jack Black?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MwzjBUuYjMeW_naXy8g0iQmuEshhMXb9Gz5rERshSwiwU3-f7bC8KOHRBqnpzG3l55ZYDcQ-NYGVwm0gOHlYlEYbUFOGMj2SB3b48B7DdhW0QroYECb8OlEiDJLvnG2jir5b0gx13l8/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MwzjBUuYjMeW_naXy8g0iQmuEshhMXb9Gz5rERshSwiwU3-f7bC8KOHRBqnpzG3l55ZYDcQ-NYGVwm0gOHlYlEYbUFOGMj2SB3b48B7DdhW0QroYECb8OlEiDJLvnG2jir5b0gx13l8/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I was listening to a preacher on the radio the other day speaking about how the religious leaders of Jesus' time viewed Him as a glutton, a drunkard, and a slob... for He chose to eat with sinners, and He associated with the most undesirable people of society. As I drove still listening I almost laughed as an image of Jack Black popped into my head. As I pondered about this I tried to imagine what it would be like if a movie were ever made about Jesus using Jack Black as the actor portraying Him. As I thought about it, believe it or not, I thought it would not only work, but it might even be the best movie ever made about Jesus! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a child, and before I could even read, there was the television. So naturally, along with what my family taught me, I relied on the TV to learn. With that - It seems that all of my life I've been trying to better know this person named Jesus. As a young child I was taught about Him in Sunday School. There I learned that He loved us little children. I would see the paintings of Him holding a little child in His lap. I knew He was a shepherd too, for some of the pictures I saw had Him holding a lamb. Sometimes too He was called a Lamb, but at this young age I didn't quite understand that part of Him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I grew up I watched movies on TV with various actors portraying Him. These actors seemed to always match up with the pictures of Jesus I would see adorning the walls of my great-grandmother's house and other family members homes. He would always have a stoic and serious expression. In these pictures He was either knocking on a door, leading sheep, or hanging on a cross. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Despite His Mediterranean heritage, He was almost always depicted as having flowing blond or light brown hair, and blue or green eyes. Even though He lived in an area with no modern plumbing, His clothing in these pictures always looked like He alone had access to Tide with Bleach, for His robe was brilliantly white, and of course He also had a purple outer garment as well. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Like the pictures, the actors were always handsome looking men that were not widely well known. Jeffrey Hunter portrayed Jesus in King of Kings. Max von Sydow was the actor's name in The Greatest Story Ever Told. Also, who could forget the 1977 TV miniseries called Jesus of Nazareth, with Robert Powell? (another blue-eyed Jesus). It seems that Jesus always had to be molded into a specific image to appeal to the masses when making a movie about Him. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While Mel Gibson's choice of Jim Caviezel to play the role of Jesus for his 2004, "Passion of the Christ" may have been at least closer to the right ethnicity, still this was once again a very handsome actor. That year, Jim Caviezel was even chosen as People Magazine's one of the "Sexiest Men Alive" and it was even blasphemously stated "The Sexiest Savior." on the picture. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These movies were by no means bad movies, and I know they influenced me greatly as I grew up. Also, I'm not saying that Jesus was an ugly man, or that an ugly actor should be chosen to portray Him. I do believe though that from what I've read about Him, He didn't stand out in the crowd based upon His appearance. In fact, I believe He was very average looking just like everyone around Him. Kinda like Jack Black I suppose. <br /><br />Isaiah 53:2,3 says, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,</span> And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness;<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>And when we see Him,<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><u>There is no beauty that we should desire Him.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></u>3 He is despised and rejected by men,<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;<span style="font-size: small;"> He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jack Black has played the role of being a kind of "savior to the people" as well, for one must consider how much the orphans looked up to him in his movie, "Nacho Libre". If one wished to dig even deeper they might would find (aside from the Deity of Jesus) that there are even some parallels to be found with the two. Jack Black if he is anything, he can be inappropriate. In some ways, so was Jesus. As I previously mentioned about the </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">religious leaders of Jesus' time viewing Him as a glutton, a drunkard, and a slob because of His association with sinners (basically us) - Jack Black (for his own reasons) already fits this image. One might would even say it's his trademark.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I dare pose the question... Could God use the unlikely choice of a comedian and actor, and pretty much an average Joe like Jack Black to reach people? I say YES! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I could see a seasoned actor like Jack Black speaking to a crowd of people at the Sermon on the Mount, but I also could see him doing what he does best... being inappropriate, and speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well... or inviting Himself to eat dinner at the home of </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">Zacchaeus the Tax Collector</span> (things a Rabbi was not supposed to do according to the religious authorities of that time). I also feel that myself personally, and maybe most people would identify more with an actor like Jack Black, who is often the celebrated underdog in his movies, and maybe even identify more with him than some of the supermodel, British accented, actors that have previously played the role.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course Jack Black couldn't go into his <span class="st">"Tenacious D" character to give this role the respect it deserves. In other words, he couldn't be a complete comedian.I do think however, that he could express joy, and laugh even. This would be something that would be a welcomed sight. Even though the bible says He was a man of sorrows, I don't think this meant He never cracked a smile. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">In 1993, a movie called "The Gospel According to Matthew" was introduced to the public. In this movie the director,</span> Regardt van den Bergh, experimented by showing the world a Jesus that actually smiled and laughed. The actor, Bruce Marchiano played as Jesus in this production. While nobody knows (except those who were are Him physically) what Jesus' personality was really like, I believe based upon what I've read about Jesus in the bible, this portrayal come closer than some of the previous ones. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I believe that even though it doesn't directly say in the bible that Jesus laughed, or smiled, I do believe that since He was a man, He also had all of a man's emotions - including happiness. Therefore, He smiled, laughed, and for all we know even played jokes at times. I loved this movie for it showed Jesus doing all of these things. Because of this I was drawn more into the "person" of Jesus, and yes, it cut even harder into my soul seeing Him crucified. Similar to this movie, I think if it were ever done with Jack Black, then it would also have that effect on the viewers.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Luke 10:21 says, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you,
Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things
from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;
yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's kind of hard for me to imagine someone rejoicing in the Holy Spirit, and not expressing that joy outwardly with either a smile, or laughter.</span> Just the notion of Jack Black playing the role of Jesus alone is enough to make most anyone at least smile, even though I'm sure some would find it both blasphemous and preposterous. Yet isn't this God's style?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If we look at God's track record this is exactly what He does best. He takes the average, and even the most ridiculous person, and then He chooses these people to work through. Then nobody could ever say that it was man that was successful, but God would be glorified. God took a gawky, awkward, teenage boy named David, and used him to slay a giant named Goliath, while an entire army of trained soldiers trembled. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While I find it a humorous thought... If it were done respectfully, then YES, I'd watch a movie about Jesus if the actor portraying Him were Jack Black. I'd watch it! </span></span><br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-36759401816504001362013-05-21T15:50:00.001-04:002013-05-21T15:50:14.685-04:00Taking Back Religion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarHkwXleaTTX1yiT4vZo299ZcMSCTC5FZvygOLe2KTePczcAnbnNAhERCLa2DQ9KfHfY15HBkXkZLwxQEWuoVcppv7_Q5K0eZX_Mjb2TyzznnfFkCRQKKYr9XyLKKUhHxLuKQgzt8_i4/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarHkwXleaTTX1yiT4vZo299ZcMSCTC5FZvygOLe2KTePczcAnbnNAhERCLa2DQ9KfHfY15HBkXkZLwxQEWuoVcppv7_Q5K0eZX_Mjb2TyzznnfFkCRQKKYr9XyLKKUhHxLuKQgzt8_i4/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I remember once after officiating a funeral service and speaking with the family, when someone made a statement about me being a religious man. This person meant nothing bad by it, and I took it as a compliment. Still, I wondered why the words "religious" or "religion" always felt negative to me.Could it be because it was very religious people who put Jesus to death? I mean you won't find a group of people more religious than the Pharisees were. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">These days when the word religion pops up in a conversation it is usually done so in a negative context. I've heard phrases in church where a preacher would be talking about a "spirit of religion" and this would be speaking of the demonic, not anything of a Godly nature. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I do believe that Satan always has a counterfeit up his sleeve to attempt to deceive people, and of course he has aspired to be like God from the beginning, for he</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> said in his heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my
throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north." (Isaiah 14:13)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Satan saved his biggest attack for last when he showed Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world, and told him it all would be His if only He would bow down and worship him (Satan). Satan wants more than anything to be worshiped as if he himself were god. Of course this means he has the tactic of using a spirit of religion as a counter to the Holy Spirit. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If Satan can get a person to fall into his trap, set by his spirit of religion, then he can get them to follow a bunch of legalistic, man-made rules and obligations. This would be done with the overall purpose of winning god's approval and affection. The spirit of religion puts the deceived person on a hamster wheel of duties, and they run themselves ragged while never going anywhere. After so long they either will give up and go back into their own sinful ways, or they will serve this defiled, impure, and satanically inspired version of religion themselves. This could be anything from mandates about their clothing to any number of other doctrines that don't have a sound biblical basis. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So what does the real thing look like? The word religion itself is not a bad word, for the bible tells us that there is a pure and undefiled religion. James 1:27 says, </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this:
to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself
unstained by the world." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It seems that the heart of God can be found when you love the most helpless and hurting people. Certainly this is summed up for us again when we read in Matthew 25 is Jesus' parable of the Sheep and the Goats. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Matthew 25:31-46 says, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To sum up this lengthy passage, there will be people standing before God one day. I honestly believe these people will all consider themselves to be Christians as well. God will then sort them out by who showed compassion toward those who were "the least of these" and who did not. The Lord will equate this as being either done for Him, or not being done for Him. I believe one could easily place the widow and the orphan under the category of the "least of these."<br />In essence then the people being separated as either a sheep or a goat, will be the ones either practicing pure and undefiled religion, or practicing the corrupted version of religion. They were either following the Holy Spirit, or they were following the counterfeit - the spirit of religion. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Another sobering passage is found in Matthew 7:21-23 where it says, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In other words, to quote another parable, the wheat and the tare will grow together in the same field, and even if people in the church were to practice the gifts of the Holy Spirit it wouldn't by itself be enough to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. This isn't to say that doing works will earn our entry into Heave<span class="text Eph-2-8" id="en-KJV-29238">n f</span><span class="text Eph-2-8" id="en-KJV-29238"></span><span class="text Eph-2-8" id="en-KJV-29238">or, "it is by grace are we saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, for it is the gift of God:</span></span></span><span class="text Eph-2-9" id="en-KJV-29239"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians:2:8-9)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By loving one another people will know that we are His disciples.This identifies us as belonging to Christ, but it is Jesus, who knows all hearts that will one day harvest His wheat, and burn the chaff. During His last hours with His disciples before He would be taken away to be beaten, mocked, and crucified Jesus did this... He knelt down with a towel and one by one, washed His disciples' feet. In doing so, He displayed perfectly an illustration of love. It required Him becoming a servant onto those around Him. Jesus then gave a new commandment to His disciples, telling them love one another. </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">He told them that if they did this then people would know they are His disciples. (John 13:34-35)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As we serve others in need, and especially those who cannot possibly repay us (the least of these), then we put on display a reflection of the One we ultimately serve - our Lord Jesus, and others can see Him in us. </span>When this happens He is glorified and lifted up, and people are drawn to Him. (John 12:32) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">People who have not yielded their life to Jesus will not be seeking to see Him glorified, but would rather get the glorify for themselves. It would not be an uncommon thing to see them receiving the praises of men right in the church, and loving every minute of it. I've heard a few preachers, and others within the church tell of all the good things they have done for the Lord, and then wait as if they are expecting some kind of verbal praise for it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When watching a football game sometimes we see a touchdown and the player goes immediately back to his men and prepares for the next play. I've always admired players like this for that player knows that he performed his expected service for the team. Then there is the player who will make a touchdown and do his little dance in the end zone to hype up the fans a little more. This guy likes to showboat. This is what it looks like when a Christian would pump themselves up. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The sin is called pride! Should we not instead boast in the Lord, and in what His church (the team) is doing?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It comes down to whether or not we have submitted our life to God, and we want to see His will be done instead of our own. If we are willing to lay our own dreams, goals, and ambitions upon the alter of doing His will on the earth, then we will find that He has an even better plan for our life. (<span class="redheadingnew">Matthew 6:33)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="redheadingnew">So with a humble heart, and a willingness to do His will instead of our own, let us reach out unto the least of these, show the heart of God, and lift them up in love. In doing so, maybe we can take back religion, and show it in it's true form - pure and undefiled. </span></span></span><br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-66986969296397466812013-05-12T08:33:00.003-04:002013-05-12T08:50:14.359-04:00Don't Give Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">This Mother's Day morning I laid awake for awhile and thought about so many mother's, and also just people in general who are on the verge of just giving up these days. Whether it is giving up while looking at an overwhelming financial situation, or giving up on their children, or giving up on their marriage, or giving up on ever being a mother, or giving up on ever seeing a child. ...it differs from person to person, and there is a lot of pain and suffering in this world. </span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems that everyone I know these days (including myself) is facing some tough obstacle in their life, and they are tempted to just throw their hands up and say I quit. Some sadly, will even choose to give up on life itself. Sometimes, and often-times people give up right before they see the breakthrough! They give up and the opportunity was right around the corner from them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I do believe that it was God that led me to write this blog, and that He also showed me the passage of 2 Timothy 4:1-8. Here, we find the apostle Paul nearing the end of his life writing a letter to a young pastor that he mentored named Timothy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 Timothy 4:1-8 (NKJV) says, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires,because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As tempting as it is to just give up when we are facing an overwhelming situation in life, as believer's in Jesus Christ, we are called to follow His example instead of just going with our own feelings. The apostle Paul's life was a good example of Jesus', for he also showed what it means to not give up. The above passage of scripture was written from a Roman prison, and yet instead of it being about the horrible food he had to eat, being beaten, or just bad-mouthing the Roman authorities that were keeping him there, Paul instead writes a letter of encouragement to young Timothy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul had been through all kinds of hardship in his life for the sake of sharing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Had he simply chosen to give up then where would we be today as believers in Christ? Because of Paul's perseverance however he continued on missionary journey after missionary journey, and writing letter after letter to the churches he planted throughout the Gentile world. Many times he would come back in a few years to find the work he started in total chaos because the people had followed false teachers, and got into all kinds of immorality. Just look at what a mess the Corinthian Church was, but yet Paul didn't give up on them. In looking at Paul's example we have to ask, what kept him motivated?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think the answer to this is found in the letter he wrote to Timothy. In verse </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 we see Paul telling Timothy that he has "fought the good fight and has finished the race." Paul also said, "I have kept the faith." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul then reveals what motivated him to do this when he says, "there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." Paul knew that there would be a reward for his </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">diligence, so he kept pressing on even when the situation looked hopeless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul knew that God was with him, for he was doing the will of God. To see God's will done Paul endured a lot of hardships, as he mentions in his letter to the Church at Corinth. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />2 Corinthians 11:22-28 (NKJV)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one</span>. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is easy to believe in God when everything in your ministry, your workplace, your school, or your marriage is going great. What about when the going gets tough though? It is during these times that we must find the strength to endure, and that strength is found in Christ alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may say you are a wealthy, but those riches can be lost in the blink of an eye in this world. Are you placing all of your confidence in your spouse, and none in God? That marriage can end in divorce very easily, but God will never leave nor forsake you. Families can be destroyed, careers lost, a person's physical health can leave all at once. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing in this world that is 100% stable, except for one thing, and that is Jesus Christ. And giving your life to Him is not a promise that everything will be peachy in life. It is however a promise that you will no longer have to face it alone. Regardless of what you face in this world you have the promise as a child of God of receiving the "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">crown of righteousness" that Paul spoke of. You have the promise of eternal life and being in the presence of your loving Father, the God of the universe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you realize who God is, then you will suddenly realize who you are. You will finally understand that in light of this, doing His will is what matters most and not doing our own thing, which is often sin. Just looking at what Paul's reaction was once he gave himself to Christ should be sobering enough to us. Paul suffered greatly for the sake of doing God's will, yet he kept pressing on and not giving up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I say all of this to say that once you have given yourself completely to Jesus Christ, and sought to see His will done in your life, then and only then, can all of the other things be in their proper perspective. God's will for you, first and foremost, is that you become born again, which means admission that you are a sinner, repentance for those sins (which means to turn away from them), and accepting the fact that Jesus' death on the cross at Calvary was the full payment for your the debt of sin, and then making Him the Lord over your life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This means getting off the throne of your life and giving it to Him. You are giving control to Him, and saying all things are in Your hands Lord. As you then make decisions, speak words, and go about your day to day living, you are doing so with what would be pleasing to Him. This isn't to say you will always be perfect, for we all fall into sin, but now you can confess those sins to Him, and He gives you strength to not fall into them again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we show our love and devotion to Jesus for all He suffered for our sake, we won't just show Him our loyalty in the good times of life. We will also remain faithful to Him when we face the hardships that come in life. We will see times of trial and good times too in life. God also blesses His children here on the earth too, but ultimately nothing can be compared to the reward that is to come when we one day stand before Him in eternity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> While Paul was in prison, he said it so well, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). May we also share this same perspective in our lives, and turn our eyes upon Jesus, and see the things of this world grow strangely dim.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God bless all the mothers, and everyone else too... keep pressing on & don't give up...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Happy Mother's Day!</b></span></div>
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-38089590599987293502013-05-08T14:42:00.001-04:002013-05-08T15:13:32.384-04:00Honoring Your Mother<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Although there are also bad mothers that are not so gracious to their children, I believe it is ultimately something that God has hardwired into a woman's heart to nurture their children with the heart of a servant. We see this evident in nearly every species of animal on the earth too - this need for nurture. God knows that it is a common need that children also receive this, so it comes natural for women to be a mother. My mother didn't receive any training on how to be a mother, for she lost her mother at a very young age of six. Her younger sister also is an excellent mother and she was about four years old at the time her mother passed away. Where did they learn how to be a mother? I don't know. It just came natural to them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've always felt sadness for those like my mother and her sisters, who never had the experience of
growing up with a mother. My mother herself
I remember from growing up was a very nurturing mother, and she made sacrifices for me and my three younger
sisters. She had strong Christian values and instilled them into us. One thing she
did that made an impact on us was she would take us to church every
Sunday. Although she didn't drive until she was in her 50s and we were grown, and dad never wanted to go to church, mom would
always call a friend, and find a way for us to get there. Of course she
disciplined us too when we got out of line. She often did without so that we could have more, even when there was very little food she would eat less and made sure we had enough. There are many women today who could learn from her and how she was a mother to her children. My mother took care of her family with a servants heart, and God sees nothing higher than this.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our Lord displayed for us what it meant to have the heart of a servant when He knelt down and nurtured His disciples by washing their feet. (John 13:3-16) In showing enough humility to get down and get His hands dirty for the ones He loves, Jesus showed us what love really is about - service! How often do mothers do this very thing, getting down in humility to clean clothes, pick up their children's belongings, help them bathe, and more?</span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I see the example of my wife Ann, and how she gives, gives, and gives until she can give no more to see her children happy, healthy, and safe. She has made many sacrifices in her life for the sake of her children. She is the most giving person I know, and I'm truly blessed to be her husband. I can tell too that she has seen the service of motherhood as she grew up with a very loving mother. My mother-in-law is an amazingly, loving, woman. In many ways she has been like a mother to me as well. I know in God's time that my daughter will also be loving mother just as she has experienced a mother who has a servant's heart.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For many women being a mother is just a position of leadership, but they forget that they are called to serve in this role too. When a mother exercises good leadership as well as good service, the children are blessed. This builds up and goes from generation to generation - the example of each mother selflessly pouring her own life into her children, and those children also doing the same as they have seen such a great example themselves growing up. In this way a mother's love is remembered for generations to come, for they have left a legacy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In Exodus 20:12 we find <span style="font-size: small;">that one of the Ten Commandments tell us to <span style="font-size: small;">"Honor our Parents." Every year we celebrate Mother's Day, but do we practice <span style="font-size: small;">this all the time? <span style="font-size: small;">Those of of who are blessed to <span style="font-size: small;">have our mother - d</span></span>o we honor her<span style="font-size: small;"> in our day to day life? Maybe you want to, but just <span style="font-size: small;">haven't done so yet<span style="font-size: small;">, or don't know how to. Maybe you are thinking she doesn't <span style="font-size: small;">deserve to be honor. That doesn't matter - what matters is that we be obedient to the word of God<span style="font-size: small;"> ourselves. God said to honor her<span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;">How do you honor your mother? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">L<span style="font-size: small;">ove your mother unconditionally:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>The first thing you do is regardless of what kind of mother she has been you need to love her unconditionally. Whether she was a good or bad parent to you she deserves your love and respect. Whether it is appreciated or not, God will appreciate it<span style="font-size: small;">, for you are being obedient to His word. <span style="font-size: small;">The bible tells us in 1st Peter 4:8 that, "love covers a multitude of sin<span style="font-size: small;">s." Perhaps your childhood has not been the best one, and <span style="font-size: small;">maybe even your mother is to blame. In showing your mother <span style="font-size: small;">that you love her anyway you may be amazed at how God can use this to heal your relationship with her. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Tell your mother that you appreciate her:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If
you were to apply for a job and the interviewer told you that you would
work long 24 hour shifts (being on call even when you were asleep),
would have to do all of the work of managing and cleaning a household,
doing laundry, planning and preparing meals, taking children here and
there to school functions, meeting teachers, helping with homework,
seeing to the many needs of another adult (husband), being rarely ever
appreciated, and on top of it all receiving no paycheck for all this
hard work, then unless you are just a glutton for punishment, you would
never take on such a job. Yet mothers around the world selflessly do
this service everyday for their family, and for some this is a second
job since they may already work at a job outside the home too. It could be that your mother <span style="font-size: small;">feels like she is under<span style="font-size: small;">-appreciated, and if you consider all she does or has done for us in life, she probably is. Show her compassion, sympathy, and understanding. Tell her you appreciate her.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Listen to your mother: </span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course if you are still living at home then this applies regardless of what age you are, but how often do we grow up<span style="font-size: small;">, see the imperfections of our parents, and then begin to think that we know it all<span style="font-size: small;">? A wi<span style="font-size: small;">se person<span style="font-size: small;">, even if they are an adult, will still listen to the wisdom that comes from their mother.<span style="font-size: small;"> I've still not yet lived to meet anyone who was older than their mother, and don'<span style="font-size: small;">t think I <span style="font-size: small;">ever will. The truth is it is never wise to ignore another <span style="font-size: small;">perspective</span> whether it is a wrong or <span style="font-size: small;">right one. <span style="font-size: small;">Chances are <span style="font-size: small;">your mother <span style="font-size: small;">wants the best for you in life, so what foolishness it would be to not at least listen to her? When you listen to someone you show them that you value them. Do you value your mother? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">What will th<span style="font-size: small;">is do?</span> ...it shows that you Honor her.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If your mother feels that she is unconditionally love<span style="font-size: small;">d, that she is appreciated, <span style="font-size: small;">and that you value her insight en<span style="font-size: small;">ough to listen to her.<span style="font-size: small;">.. what does this do? How w<span style="font-size: small;">ill she feel? How would you feel?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wouldn't you fe<span style="font-size: small;">el like you are<span style="font-size: small;"> being honored by your child? If you put these things into practice not just on Mother's Day, but every day you will be amazed at what God will do in your mother's life. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">For some people Mother's Day is a very hard day, for their mother is <span style="font-size: small;">no longer with them<span style="font-size: small;">. I know as I wrote this I thought of two very special young ladies in my wife's family. To them<span style="font-size: small;">, and to anyone else that has lost their mother I would just encourage them to keep their mother's memory alive. Remember all of the sweetness that she brought into your life. <span style="font-size: small;">Cherish her memory. P<span style="font-size: small;">ass these things down into your own children<span style="font-size: small;"> as you to enter into the service of motherhood. In this way you too may leave a l<span style="font-size: small;">egacy.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> It shows your children how much you honor your mother<span style="font-size: small;">, and encourages them to do the same. </span><br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-16734013781130215622013-05-01T11:37:00.002-04:002013-05-01T11:48:42.002-04:00When Facing Temptation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Perhaps you've become a born again believer in Christ, you've been baptized, and go to Church every time the doors are opened. Maybe you've even went out and bought yourself the latest study bible, and you are reading it every day. One would hope that after doing all of this that temptation would leave them alone, but make no mistake about it, temptation is something that you still will have to deal with as a Christian. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe you've heard the phrase before, "The devil made me do it!" While temptation comes from the devil, this is not a true statement for the devil cannot "make" you do anything. Some have also mistakenly believed that it is God that tempts us to sin as if He were testing us. This is wrong, for it is contrary to what the bible teaches us. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">James 1:13 tells us, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Jas-1-13" id="en-NKJV-30280">Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.</span></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Temptation is something that both believers and unbelievers deal with, but maybe even more so for the believer. After all, if you are an unbeliever then the devil already has you, so his most strategic focus would be on his enemy, the believer in Christ. After all, when they are truly following Christ, they posed the biggest threat to the kingdom of darkness. If Satan can hinder Christians by succeeding in tempting them, then he can then follow through with his evil schemes in people's lives. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">John 10:10 says, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text John-10-10" id="en-NKJV-26492"><span class="woj">The
thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have
come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Satan's knows what he is facing in the end, so his goal is to take as many people with him as he possibly can. This is the only victory he can claim in his inevitable, total, defeat. Mankind in this fallen world will not be completely free from this temptation until this time comes, but as a believer in Christ we have a weapon that Satan cannot stand against. That weapon is Jesus.<br /><br />John 8:36 says, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text John-8-36" id="en-NKJV-26418"><span class="woj">Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.</span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jesus HImself, as a man walking on the earth faced the temptation of the devil. This was a temptation greater than any man has ever known. I mean how many people have been tempted to be given all of the kingdoms of the world? Nobody I know but Jesus was offered such a thing, and Satan would have gladly given it to HIm too, for he knew just what was at stake. If Jesus would simply bow down and worship him instead of God, the Father - then Satan would have succeeded. Seeing God Himself in the most vulnerable form as a mere mortal man must have been such a thrill for Satan, and he wasn't about to let this opportunity pass him by. Yet Jesus, using the word of God turn his temptations down, and did not sin. What Satan failed to recognize was that God was unfolding a plan that would redeem man from the debt of sin. Now thanks to Jesus, and what He did for us on the cross, we no longer have to be enslaved to sin. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hebrews 2:18 says, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is not only important to understand that God isn't the source of our temptation, but also that if we seek His help while being tempted, then He will help us withstand giving in to whatever Satan is using to tempt us with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 Peter 2:9 says, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span class="text 2Pet-2-9" id="en-NKJV-30510">"then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment," </span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is no way that man by his own doing could ever be godly, so the "godly" that this verse talks about of course are those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for what He did in His sacrifice on the cross to save us. Those who have not given themselves to Jesus are still stained with their sins when the time of judgment comes, but whoever has become born again has had their sins washed away by the shed blood of Jesus, and they have become the children of God. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now that we've covered the basics about temptation, where it comes from, and what God has done to help us with it, let's look at some practical ways to apply this to our daily living so that we may live a victorious Christian life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>1. Know your own weakness.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">James 1:14 says, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Jas-1-14" id="en-NKJV-30281">But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. </span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each of us have our own desires and while the enemy is not all knowing like God, he is definitely observant. Satan knows exactly how to tempt us with the greatest things during our weakest moments, and while we are the farthest away from God. For some people this temptation might be over eating, for some drinking alcohol, for some it may be lust, or for some money. Although he tempts us all the time, he will use it at times when he sees us at our most vulnerable especially. If you already are aware of what your weaknesses are, then you can make his job in tempting you a lot harder. This may mean staying away from the places or people that can connect you with the temptation, or taking whatever other preventative measures possible to avoid it. None of us are immune from the desires of the flesh, but being aware of them, and taking steps to hinder them will go a long way. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>2. Look for your escape.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 10:13 says, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span class="text 1Cor-10-13" id="en-NKJV-28581">No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is
faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are
able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you
may be able to bear it.</span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a powerful verse that promises us that God will provide us a way of escape, so if we are smart we will look for that escape. I would suggest that when the temptation is there that we would ask for that escape too, and look for God to make it clear to us. If you have already applied step #1 above then you may find you are not as likely to find yourself within as much temptation as before, but believe me, you will still be faced with it. When you are facing it, God will provide you a way out of it. A bible verse may come to your mind, the phone may ring and there is a Christian brother or sister on the other end, or you will think of something of good virtue like your family, or your church, or someone you look up to as a mentor in your Christian life. It could be too that you will play out the possible consequences of the sin you are being tempted with, and you calculate the costs of it. I've noticed that often times these things happen when I'm facing temptation. God has always shown me a way of escape, and sometimes sadly I've ignored it, but many times I've jumped at it and always managed to escape the temptation thanks to God showing me the door out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>3. Submit yourself to God & resist the devil.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">James 4:7 says, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Jas-4-7">Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. </span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If we look at the perfect example that Jesus provided for us, we will see this in action. Although Jesus is God, He knew from a very early age to know the written word of God that we call the bible. In fact Jesus knew it so well that astounded the teachers of scripture with His biblical knowledge at the age of 12. Something we also see in the e of Jesus while He walked on earth was His many times in prayer. Jesus was always looking for a way to be in the presence of His Father. Jesus, although being God Himself, modeled for us the perfect illustration of what a life submissive to God is. Having a hunger and thirst for God's presence, and His word will build a fortress around your life that will be an obstacle to the enemy. Secondly, when Satan comes around tempting you with things that are appealing to your flesh, your greater appeal will be for the things of God, and you will be better able to resist the devil, and see him flee. Trust me though, he will be back. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>4. When you fall get back up.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">James 1:15 says, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Jas-1-15" id="en-NKJV-30282">Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.</span> </span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> If you are breathing then you will find yourself here - Guilty! I've committed a sin against God. Maybe you're like me and you sometimes tend to wallow in it and kick yourself over and over again. The temptation was given from the enemy, I ignored my way out (sometimes multiple ways out), and I gave in to my fleshly desire. This is what the above verse means by the <span class="text Jas-1-15" id="en-NKJV-30282">"desire has conceived." </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Jas-1-15" id="en-NKJV-30282"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Jas-1-15" id="en-NKJV-30282">So what should I do now? Will I pay the consequences for this sin? Maybe. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Jas-1-15" id="en-NKJV-30282"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Jas-1-15" id="en-NKJV-30282">What is important though is that I don't let this sin become full grown, which could mean becoming a sinful habit or lifestyle. For if it grows into this then it will most certainly bring forth death. It is important that before any of this can happen that you repent of this sin as quickly as possible. To repent means to turn around. So if you are heading one direction (towards the sin) you will turn around 180° and head back towards God's forgiving and loving arms. Many times a Christian will just confess it, go on and commit it again, confess it, sin again, confess it... each time clinging to 1st John 1:9, which says, "</span>If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." While this is calling a sin a sin, and preventing us from living in denial, and YES, God forgives us - it is still very much our responsibility to not let it happen again, and to turn away from the sin with a repentant heart. If all we are doing is confessing the sin and never repenting of it, then we are simple snipping the fruit of our sin instead of dealing with the root of it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Confession without repentance is like saying you admit your sin, but you are not going to try to prevent yourself from committing it again, or allowing it to grow into a sinful habit or lifestyle. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Is this showing God that you have any remorse for it? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Being we are awake when we are most likely facing temptation maybe it is best that we start our preparation every day, the first thing when we wake up. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>A Morning Prayer</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Father,
<br />You know all my ways, my coming and my going, and You already know what temptations that the enemy plans to use against me today. Thank you Lord that Your word promises me that I will not be tempted beyond what I can bear. I asked that you show me clearly my way of escape when I'm tempted to sin. Thank you Lord that you have provided this for me, and help me to call upon You, and to think about what is good, what is eternal, and what is Heavenly, during the times when I'm facing temptation to sin against You.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In Jesus name I pray, <span style="font-size: small;"></span>Amen</span></span>.</div>
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-30497305914693650402013-04-19T11:18:00.000-04:002013-04-19T11:18:25.949-04:00Is There Hope for America?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8aNK1Ee7u2MWgOBSvomgzdgeOvMs5YFLnpnr35BN48H50GrGFaPpkPP99sZV2f-3gDGRvHlLRcS2v8T33LNesaPmw2ttPjgmkcetzSMwIdTEexFksNMbl8_luKgsqqiopwUoLXZxFBc/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8aNK1Ee7u2MWgOBSvomgzdgeOvMs5YFLnpnr35BN48H50GrGFaPpkPP99sZV2f-3gDGRvHlLRcS2v8T33LNesaPmw2ttPjgmkcetzSMwIdTEexFksNMbl8_luKgsqqiopwUoLXZxFBc/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christian friends of mine have told me that they </span> believed America has turned her back on God. With all of the crime, corrupt politicians, biased media coverage, laws promoting beliefs that are contrary to scripture, and the ever-present feeling of apathy every time we turn on the news, I can certainly understand where they are coming from. Although we are citizens of America (or whatever other country you may live in) as a <span style="font-size: small;">C</span>hristian it is right to place <span style="font-size: small;">your</span> allegiance in God higher than <span style="font-size: small;">the</span> allegiance <span style="font-size: small;">to</span> an earthly government<span style="font-size: small;">, for we have a dual citizenship - one in Heaven and one on earth. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Of course Heaven has no problem, but I do believe as an earthly citizen<span style="font-size: small;">,</span> this country I live in called the U.S.<span style="font-size: small;">A.</span> is in serious trouble<span style="font-size: small;">. </span> I do also see glimmers of hope in the people of the United States however, and have to acknowledge that there are both good and bad people in th<span style="font-size: small;">is country</span>. <span style="font-size: small;">Whether<span style="font-size: small;"> people acknowle<span style="font-size: small;">dge God or not for it, I attribute any good that can be found in this world to Him. </span></span>As far as people seeking Him, t</span>he fire of revival may have died down to it's last flicker in America, but within the ashes I believe there is a glowing ember that is just waiting for the wind of the Holy Spirit to ignite it again. So while we are in the pro<span style="font-size: small;">cess of becoming more and more ungodly as a nation, I still don't believe this nation has completely turned her back on God yet. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For the past 200 years America has sent out more Christian missionaries than any other country in the world. In God We Trust can still be found on the money we use<span style="font-size: small;">, but more and more we are becoming a cashless society, <span style="font-size: small;">so who knows how long this will <span style="font-size: small;">even</span> be relev<span style="font-size: small;">ant? </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> As a citizen of this country I can't give up on her just yet. <span style="font-size: small;">I believe w</span>e need to pray for our leaders and think of 2nd Chronicles 7:14, where it
says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways;
then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal
their land." This can be a reality for America if we do this!<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>I do believe we are blessed by God to live in this country, especially when you watch the world news and see how many other countries have it worse than we do. Although many people have nothing good to say about God, I'm also not convinced that this country has turned her back completely from God, for there are many people in this land who love the Lord, even though the media and politicians show us quite a different picture of America. <br /><br />I believe this country can see a revival and experience a move of God like never before. It has happened before in history like the Great Awakening period of the 1730's, in America with the 1902 Azuza street revival, in the 70s when hippies put down their drugs and started seeking God and became known as "Jesus people." This followed the extremely sinful 60's when the moral decay of this country was rapid. We also see local revivals popping up at times around America like in Brownsville, Florida. <br /><br />Just as the old saying, "It is darkest before the dawn." It seems that man will often fall into a level of depravity only so far before many wake up and turn their eyes toward Jesus, and a revival is ignited. I believe history can, and will repeat itself, and it seems that very often our society tends to be on a moral down slide just before a revival. I personally believe this is because people in general only tend to seek God when their need is at it's highest. I'm not at all saying that God <span style="font-size: small;">makes us sin, but He knows His people <span style="font-size: small;">completely, and knows just how much suffering we will put ourselves through before we turn to Him.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We see revivals <span style="font-size: small;">o</span>n the individual level<span style="font-size: small;"> when a person will repent before God, ask God come come into their life, <span style="font-size: small;">confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior, </span>and <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">commit</span> their life to God<span style="font-size: small;">. This is called becoming Born Again, or a conversion. All of the elements of 2nd Chronicles 7:14 are at work here when you think about it<span style="font-size: small;">:</span> Humbling yourself, praying, seeking God, turning from wicked ways (repenting) - all of it is there during a<span style="font-size: small;"> p<span style="font-size: small;">erson's</span></span> conversion<span style="font-size: small;">. The same is true on the macro scale for a country too! This isn't saying if a revival <span style="font-size: small;">did occur in America</span> <span style="font-size: small;">that every American is automatically saved<span style="font-size: small;">. What the promise is though is that God will heal our land!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regardless of which political party you follow<span style="font-size: small;">, or which leader</span></span> you stand behind, <span style="font-size: small;">it won't make it happen. No matter what political ideology or platforms you believe in, that won't be enough. Romans 13 tell<span style="font-size: small;">s us that th<span style="font-size: small;">e powers that be are ordained of God. This could mean a good leader, <span style="font-size: small;">and sometimes God will permit <span style="font-size: small;">a bad leader to hold an office or rule over a people. Sure we may vote one in, but God can remove <span style="font-size: small;">him as He sees fit. King </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nebuchadnezzar learned a valuable lesson when he became too pridefu<span style="font-size: small;">l of his powerful position and God made him like a beast in a field. (Daniel 4)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">There <span style="font-size: small;">is <span style="font-size: small;">a lot of evil in America, and throughout the rest of the world as well. Many Christians are praying for this country too. </span></span>I do believe this country may be worse now than it has ever been<span style="font-size: small;"> in the moral sense. </span>When enough people however come to the place that they say, "We need God!" This is when He <span style="font-size: small;">shows up and a whole nation is healed, and millions are born again. I have this hope for America, and believe it can happen. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-14706922149354286682013-04-13T15:28:00.000-04:002013-04-24T13:32:50.949-04:00The Gothic Movement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjKTW8AGHkiMuYo_ySnaofc05Fx7wzvlKjXRz9v9bnS3hnxNKPByEgNiHI47JenFhTu95_LqTO5QvXrM_dZ9RxuLySwNs3gYU16fg74_M4bxD2j96KSd0kNHQ76Oe1Oa72MuZ1Ihknqk/s1600/gothic+rings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjKTW8AGHkiMuYo_ySnaofc05Fx7wzvlKjXRz9v9bnS3hnxNKPByEgNiHI47JenFhTu95_LqTO5QvXrM_dZ9RxuLySwNs3gYU16fg74_M4bxD2j96KSd0kNHQ76Oe1Oa72MuZ1Ihknqk/s200/gothic+rings.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Historically, to find anything about the Goths, one must go back to the 14th Century. You will then see the Germanic people that overran the Roman Empire in the early centuries of the Christian era. The word "Gothic" therefore means in the historical sense, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">anything relating to, or resembling the </span>Goths<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">, their civilization, their art, architecture, or their language of that era in history. This is not the culture I am referring to however. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The Gothic Movement that I'm referring to typically embraces this period of the </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">medieval era, but even more embraces, a style of </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">rock music marked by dark and morbid lyrics. From my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">own generation (coming of age in the 80s), there were bands like The Cure, The Cult, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and more that are categorically in the Goth genre of music. Musically speaking, The Doors would qualify, as Jim Morrison was very prolific, bleak, and dark in his songwriting. Being his short musical career ended with his tragic death, he is nearly elevated by some Goths as that of a prophet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />In it's fashion sense, today's Gothic style evolved greatly in the 80's thanks to many musical groups like the Cure, and it is consistent of a person who wears mostly black clothing, uses dark dramatic makeup, and often has dyed black hair. There is Gothic style jewelry that looks reminiscent of the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">medieval era. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Although there are some groups that will incorporate the Goth fashion into their own style and make it their own like some within the skateboarder, punk, metal, alternative, and emo groups, the groups still don't usually share the same musical taste. This has been my own observation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm doubtful that anyone reading at this point would ask what I'm talking about, for it is very likely that you know people who have embraced this Gothic subculture. Just in case there is someone who still doesn't know what I'm talking about I'll just tell them go to virtually any High School or college campus. Go to any Mall and you will also see them. They will be just as I described them thus far. Many times you will see them gather around one particular store called Hot Topic, or any other store that sells their music, fashions, and other interests. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If anyone is in doubt that the Gothic culture (movement) actually exists then they should ask Orv Madden, who in 1988 started the store, Hot Topic... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Courtesy of Wikipedia: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since Madden's retirement, this company has wen</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t from it's humble beginnings, and through a couple more CEO's, to grow and go public in 1996 to begin trading on NASDAQ. In 2006, Hot Topic </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.196428298950195px;">was placed 53rd on </span>Fortune 500<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.196428298950195px;">'s "</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.196428298950195px;">Top Companies to Work For" </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.196428298950195px;">list. </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.196428298950195px;">In 2013, Hot Topic announced its sale to </span>private equity<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.196428298950195px;"> firm Sycamore Partners for $600 million. No doubt the secret to their success is not a secret at all, it is just taking a good look at cultural trends, and marketing to them, and the Gothic market is apparently alive and well. </span><span style="line-height: 19.196428298950195px;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.196428298950195px;">So what is the purpose in writing about the Gothic Movement? It is not to pick at them or offend them I assure you. If anyone who has embraced this as a lifestyle becomes offended by what I've written, then I am sorry they had this reaction, for it wasn't my intent. Up to this point I've laid out a descriptive picture of the Gothic Movement based on factual findings, but from this point on I will share a little more on my own observations and from my own experiences and relationships with those in the Gothic subculture. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.196428298950195px;">I've noted that most people who are Goths tend to embrace a nonconformist attitude, and seem to be very cynical toward the rest of society. The Goth would</span></span> likely become defensive when someone outside of their culture (like me), mentions something like shopping at Hot Topic. This is because shopping at a retail outlet in a mall is a very "conformist" activity and it goes against the grain. Although they would be quick to tell you that the "Goth Wannabees" are the reason Hot Topic is so successful, the truth is though, nobody is really born a Goth, for it is a style - not a race. So to become a Goth, really all you have to do is "want to be" one, then get into the music, the fashion style, and have the attitude. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At face value I know it sounds like I'm being insensitive, but truthfully, I've known people who have become Gothic, and I've known people who have left it behind. This tells me that it is nothing more than a style, or a trend. I do know too that there are people who take it way more seriously. It is these people that I've most likely offend in this article. To them I would only urge that they read on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Being this is a Christian Blog site, I'm sure you knew this question was coming. What does the Bible say that could shed light on the Gothic movement? Of course, the Bible precedes both the Gothic movement of present-day, and the Gothic culture of the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">medieval</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"> age. What is awesome about the Bible though is that it still has an application not to the group itself, but to the many individuals within the group. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="line-height: normal;">On a personal note, the Gothic movement's affinity for darkness is also something I find troubling. There is a fascination for death and all things morbid found within the lyrics of many Goth styled rock bands. The constant blackness in their apparel, and their cynical, dark, attitude of the this world, coupled with a </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.5px;">senselessness of life, a feeling of despair, and just a dash of being a jaded, misunderstood, youth - and I think you've got the recipe. Perhaps I'm being too pessimistic toward their movement of pessimism. I don't know, so this is why I turn to the bible. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ecclesiastes 7:2 (ESV) says, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apparently, the Goth's are not too out of the ballpark as they contemplate about death. For there is wisdom to be sought after during these times, but true wisdom comes from the Lord, and not from My Chemical Romance, or any other Goth Rock band. I would stress to them that the latter part of the verse says, "the living will lay it to heart." It is possible that if one becomes so in tuned with the topic of death that they may actually become dead them self, and walk around dead to the world around them, and not experiencing what joy there is in life. Also, I don't see how such an attitude of pessimism, despair, hopelessness, and apathy can lead to anything else but depression, which could eventually lead to suicide. The phrase "</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the living will lay it to heart" also makes us ask the question - lay what to heart? I believe it means that in times of mourning, we will think about the dead person's eternal destination, and this will cause us to think of our own - and hopefully do something about it by turning to Jesus if we haven't already. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Thessalonians 5:5 (ESV) says, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For you are all children</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This isn't speaking of the clothes we wear or style of music we listen to, with the possible exception being the lyrical content. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Paul is writing to the Church at Thessalonica a letter of encouragement, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">describing the Christians</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">(and us too as it applies) as being the "children of the light." The word "light" being symbolic of life and of goodness. So the "children of the light" would be those who have found life in Jesus Christ. Because of this they do good works and not bad works unto others. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">So we are children of the light and of the day, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not of the night or of the darkness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The danger I see for someone to enter into the Gothic Style is that it can broaden out to introduce them to meeting others who have walked even further into the darkness, and into things such as vampirism, witchcraft, Wiccan, and satanism. The Gothic Style, though harmless at face value, can become a kind of a gateway into deeper darkness. While wearing black clothes, listening to the music, and befriending others into this same culture is where many people are, there is the chance that through the wrong influences one can go further down the rabbit hole (so to speak) and get involved with a reality orchestrated by satan himself. Some of the Gothic symbols and imagery are actual satanic symbols too, and many times it is not an uncommon thing to see them on display in Gothic jewelry or tattoos. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">1 John 1:5-7 (<span class="note">ESV) says, </span></span></span><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I will stress again that this isn't about clothing or a music style, but about the underlying attitude that is often found within the Gothic community. I know some who embrace the style at it's Hot Topic level, but not it's underlying darkness. They then minister to the young people who feel like society has rejected them, and tell them about a Savior who loves them. There are Christian Goth groups as well like that try to reach out to the lost within the Gothic subculture. One only needs to google the words "Christian Goth" and hundreds of sites will pop up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">One such site I visited had a page entitled, "Who you are" so I went to it. On it you many bible verses explaining as a Christian you are the temple of God, you are justified, and so much more awesome truths from God's word. At the very top of the list was the words, "I am Accepted" with the following verse, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">John 1:12 (ESV) says, </span><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I'm sure this may not apply to everyone, but in my own observations, and this is from being the pastor of a youth ministry that had many Goths coming and going, and from having both family and friends who have embraced the Goth movement, and from even dressing the part once for a Halloween event just for laughs. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I see many young people just wanting to be accepted. Accepted by their parents, accepted by their peers, they just want to be accepted, but many times they are not. I know being young is hard, and it was for me as well. i wanted to have this same acceptance, but was often rejected. In my own experience I found acceptance with the rest of the outcasts, but even they had their requirements before I'd be accepted, so I started smoking marijuana, and drinking alcoholic beverages to fit in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Though the times have changed and styles come and go, the one constant that will always be there is that feeling for belonging and acceptance. Jesus tells us to come just as we are and accept Him, then that is all we need to be accepted. This is in a stark contrast to what the world expects of us. Jesus then helps us to over come the things in life that would seek to destroy us - that is sin. although you are struggling to find your identity, Jesus already sees who you are, what you've been, and who you can be! He gives us an identity with Him, that nobody can take away from you. Come to Him today and become a child not of the darkness, but a child of light in Him.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goth Randy at an Outreach Event, Halloween 2007:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB-Yuxo2cBgVA2VIGLUjeUfDfOKRhCIsHDG33XMSVr3RUqyq4Q_63HvANcx0-hatMjje2XhdUMWXznfuqjVq9_KBysLqG1K6n4kIB040YkUA2a619rVDe2rmQr69dTFx3UDWKwcjGaeg/s1600/goth+randy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB-Yuxo2cBgVA2VIGLUjeUfDfOKRhCIsHDG33XMSVr3RUqyq4Q_63HvANcx0-hatMjje2XhdUMWXznfuqjVq9_KBysLqG1K6n4kIB040YkUA2a619rVDe2rmQr69dTFx3UDWKwcjGaeg/s1600/goth+randy.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-45890376340889512222013-04-09T16:35:00.001-04:002013-04-09T19:28:34.253-04:00Jesus is Peace over Anxiety.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEBV2ZP5dpy1r9pb_dl9e9Js38I0YAqesjzJAa9FsXkb6wdjxwpf9s0SW3WSQHuFyv9F02-4SOHRu3e0wIjcX5CBbeROYcMqSXqMiDLgR9fEmpkX58MaxIXs90xEKFNrqZFxtDYWCy04/s1600/Lonely.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEBV2ZP5dpy1r9pb_dl9e9Js38I0YAqesjzJAa9FsXkb6wdjxwpf9s0SW3WSQHuFyv9F02-4SOHRu3e0wIjcX5CBbeROYcMqSXqMiDLgR9fEmpkX58MaxIXs90xEKFNrqZFxtDYWCy04/s1600/Lonely.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maybe
you're like me and you've had battles with anxiety in your life. I've
always operated as a multi-tasker, and maybe even took a little bit
of pride in it. These days everyone we see walks around checking
their planner on a smart phone, but I did this with my PDA long
before the smart phone became popular. Prior to this I always used a
day planner with actual paper and ink (Today you may see one in a
museum). There is nothing wrong in planning out your day, week,
month, and year. In fact it is really a necessary thing to do. A
person can become obsessive about it however, and when too much is
put on the agenda, this is when it can become a problem. </span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'll
never forget one particular evening years ago, when I laid down on my bed, and
after reflecting over and over on the problems, tasks, and projects
in life, and how there were just so many things I had to do, I began
to get really light-headed, I felt as if the bed was spinning, and a
sense of fear came over me as I found it difficult to breathe. My
first thought was that I was experiencing a heart attack, so I yelled
for my wife and with her help she got me to the hospital emergency
room. </span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wasting
no time they checked my blood pressure to find it was very high. They
did an EKG on me, obtained blood samples, and asked me many
questions. After running more tests, and ruling out a heart attack I
began to feel more at ease. After so many questions and tests were
given, they finally were ready to tell me what they had concluded.
The doctor said, “Mr. Tedford, I believe you have suffered what
they call – a panic attack.” </span></span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This
really came as a surprise to me as I'd never saw it coming. I was
under a lot of stress, but never to the extent that it had ever
physically affected me before. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQsj-7GuZ6ja4apX3nGH1966gFMwhs3T2-41dNhYFDLQZZ_-X6NQ1lcwktLN-Jjr0nDczZFN4qyAYlc0IGMsXBIT1K1Jaxak2gj-WcDGR1gOOOSXI28l1S0d9_iZaVH0nHKXF03Vu8TM/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQsj-7GuZ6ja4apX3nGH1966gFMwhs3T2-41dNhYFDLQZZ_-X6NQ1lcwktLN-Jjr0nDczZFN4qyAYlc0IGMsXBIT1K1Jaxak2gj-WcDGR1gOOOSXI28l1S0d9_iZaVH0nHKXF03Vu8TM/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a>I described this experience to my
pastor, who had also been through this experience. He gave me some
good, practical, advice and explained that I needed to try to scale
back on the number of projects I was taking on. He then gave me the
spiritual advice of taking the extra time gained, and giving it to
Jesus, which meant simply spending time with Him – not doing
ministry. It
wasn't just tasks in my life that I had to let go of. There were a
lot of problems that were simply beyond my control. I had to learn to
give these things to Jesus and carry them no more myself. I thought of what
Jesus said in the Bible... </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23488"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23489"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23490"></a>
Matthew 11:28-30
(NIV),</span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I
will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I
am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” </span></span></blockquote>
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</span></span></div>
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</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I
believe that if anyone knew about stress it had to be Jesus. He
traveled from town to town in a very high profile ministry, had
people some occasions try to kill Him, and had to endure 12 various
personalities, and all the while knowing that He was heading to a
Roman scourging and crucifixion. I don't think anyone I know has this
much to think about, but yet Jesus kept His focus on His Father's
agenda and didn't let anything keep Him from accomplishing it. </span></span></div>
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</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKhuXYMVEQ20wdIprlscNeQGN6dTL8wCjRwtwQSgPkZP-7Gc6vjHJKS8EirD7OUWtWoGRy1rv8kLOzDTBUNkOsdZ8CcPUw0yTdETRst4oUpU1SMGHSOUpTNaDkBzobI1F30qy9_RSpgo/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKhuXYMVEQ20wdIprlscNeQGN6dTL8wCjRwtwQSgPkZP-7Gc6vjHJKS8EirD7OUWtWoGRy1rv8kLOzDTBUNkOsdZ8CcPUw0yTdETRst4oUpU1SMGHSOUpTNaDkBzobI1F30qy9_RSpgo/s200/images.jpeg" width="121" /></a>As
I pondered over the meaning of what Jesus said, it occurred to me
that He was talking to me, for I'm weary... I'm burdened... and He
did say “ALL” so this included me! So Jesus' invitation was to
me, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest...” I began to understand that just like Jesus, if I
could be more focused about what was eternal, and not so focused on
what is temporal, then things might begin to fall into better
priority in my life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span>
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<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">With
this in mind I immediately looked over some of the tasks I was doing
and some of them seemed to lose their importance when held up to the
light of Heaven, and I had to simply let some things go. This didn't
happen overnight, however slowly but surely I got there, and with my
goal being to have a simple life with Jesus, I'm a lot less stressed
out today than I used to be. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This
was again put to the test in my life in 2008, when I was laid off
from my job at the County Treasurer's office. I then went for 3
months before finding a job. I felt the stress levels increase like
never before, and it was a definite low point in my life. When I
finally had exhausted all of my earthly efforts, and sent out my last
resume, I finally gave it to Jesus. This wasn't so much a negative “I
give up” attitude, but more like a “Here Lord, You can have it,
for I place my trust in You” attitude. It was only then that I got
the phone call that I was looking for, and found work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As
I look back now I ask myself what took me so long? Then I think about
how God likes to prove His goodness to us over and over again. It was
necessary for me to exhaust everything if it meant me seeing that it
was God, and NOT me, that landed me the job. He once again proves it
to me that He is my provider. It is then when I also think of Jesus'
words again...</span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Matthew 6:25-34,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23309"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23310"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23311"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23312"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23313"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23314"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23315"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23316"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5540216161035671546" name="en-NIV-23317"></a>
<span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">25
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life
more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds
of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet
your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than
they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your
life? </span></span>28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how
the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I
tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like
one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field,
which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not
much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry,
saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or
‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these
things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My Grandpa Adam Davis
was a living illustration of this to me. Although this battered World
War 2 veteran lost his wife to diabetes early in their marriage,
scarcely found work in the mines while living in the poverty of the
Appalachian Mountains, and had to place his 3 daughters (one stricken
with polio) in a Children's home, he knew where his source of
strength could be found. In the toughest times of his life, Adam knew
that Jesus was his source of strength. Later in life he had been
diagnosed with prostate cancer, and I had the privilege of living
with him then and assisting him. During this time I remember often
seeing him overwhelmed with tears of joy as he felt the presence of
God while praying. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">His son-in-law and
daughter, Ronald & Judy, who were his caregivers in the end, also noted that he held onto his faith
in Christ to the very end of his struggle with cancer. Although I was many miles away at the time, I'm told that
he held onto his life in the hospital until his daughter Vernia (my mother),
arrived via Greyhound Bus, he spoke to her, then just like the
prophets of old went to be with the Lord. As Adam waived away the
oxygen mask, his next breath would be the sweet air of Heaven. That
is what I call finishing well, for Adam had his focus placed on what
is eternal, and even at the point of death, he was in perfect peace. My grandpa's attitude was much like that of the apostle Paul, who
said, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1
Corinthians 15:55)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9KHzTZ4l3FCAbbScHdQHIp-eU7RYl1h3b2daQq1anfCyM9SC3n9WIpCzRdSjNbgsVpRSOwdTlaQlzGI7jErUKDIZ6C0X1BI1pvVtC8Zpva02gmT6BLphPxZbxXykoNHq8x4wR7XE1Lc/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9KHzTZ4l3FCAbbScHdQHIp-eU7RYl1h3b2daQq1anfCyM9SC3n9WIpCzRdSjNbgsVpRSOwdTlaQlzGI7jErUKDIZ6C0X1BI1pvVtC8Zpva02gmT6BLphPxZbxXykoNHq8x4wR7XE1Lc/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gideon was hiding
in a winepress to protect himself, and the wheat he was threshing,
from the Midianites. It was then that an angel of God appeared to him
saying, “The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.” Then Gideon
said to him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all
this happened to us? …the LORD has abandoned us and given us into
the hand of Midian.” The LORD looked at him and said, “Go in this
your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not
sent you?” (Judges 6:12-14) After more discussion
Gideon built an altar to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace.
(Judges 6:22-24) Gideon did this because this was the very name that
God had spoken to him using – Jehovah-shalom! Gideon was living in
fear and anxiety when God came to him and spoke. Gideon had no peace
in his own strength, but God came to him and gave him His peace.
Gideon had encountered Jehovah-shalom (The Lord is peace). </span></span>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicicSDCTzEYUFQxMizDmNmloThLIW7_AplPY_vCAyq23ynY4wSpUZMH1nHjC69xe5LCvz6tgZ3hMrCeYheUn_oYDZc-9gwpon-gLRu9AJqUIjeHUV-MWH1r6rUemcj0wyCL_D1ra8CD9s/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicicSDCTzEYUFQxMizDmNmloThLIW7_AplPY_vCAyq23ynY4wSpUZMH1nHjC69xe5LCvz6tgZ3hMrCeYheUn_oYDZc-9gwpon-gLRu9AJqUIjeHUV-MWH1r6rUemcj0wyCL_D1ra8CD9s/s200/images.jpeg" width="132" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We cannot base our
peace on the situations we face in life. Some seek peace in a bottle
of beer, wine or whiskey. Some seek it in the use of drugs. Some people seek for peace in a
relationship with a man or woman, but no matter how much you love
that person, they cannot bring you the peace that only God can bring. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our hobbies, family,
money, physical health, and other temporal things (although they are
good things on earth), are not enough in comparison to the eternal peace
that comes from God, our Jehovah-shalom.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As Paul wrote in
Ephesians 2:14, “He Himself is our peace.” Once you understand
this and worship God as the God of peace, our Jehovah-shalom, you can
gain access to the peace that comes from (and is) Jesus Himself, Who can speak
to the wind and the waves, and calm the storms of anxiety that rage
in your life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jesus left His
disciples a promise: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to
you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let not your
heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jesus didn't promise
that there would be no problems in this world, but He did show us
where we can draw our strength from during these times. Jesus said,
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have
overcome the world.” (John 16:33)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What is it that is
causing your anxiety? Maybe you can't even put your finger on it.
It's okay... Look to Jesus... for He is the Prince of Peace. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be sure to also check out the blog: <a href="http://rtedford.blogspot.com/2012/06/jesus-prince-of-peace.html" target="_blank">Jesus - The Prince of Peace</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Shalom!</span></span></b></div>
</div>
Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-68361943475087334892013-03-30T05:11:00.001-04:002013-03-30T05:14:48.332-04:00The Message of the Cross<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm_h-qvxHx42Q5tB3Z6m3fXqWH3-gCjZyOq-aV99JxFjP5yCxNOq7yI7bQKx9JpAqu_iXnSZNGt-55q-tminsyy2xejiZQXMtVMRBug2EOC2__WicyYWaCSStlM3e726XMt_Qpdmj9iY/s1600/cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm_h-qvxHx42Q5tB3Z6m3fXqWH3-gCjZyOq-aV99JxFjP5yCxNOq7yI7bQKx9JpAqu_iXnSZNGt-55q-tminsyy2xejiZQXMtVMRBug2EOC2__WicyYWaCSStlM3e726XMt_Qpdmj9iY/s200/cross.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 1:17-25</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever wondered why Christians put such emphasis on the cross? I mean at surface value it is an execution, and many people were put to death in this way. Obviously it isn't the crucifixion itself that holds the significance, but it is about the One who was placed there. Also, the focus is on "WHY" He was placed there. Jesus, the Son of God, was put there although He was guilty Himself of no crime. He was crucified as the supreme sacrifice for man's sin. So for many years that day was commemorated in Church history as Black Friday, but then it was realized that for mankind this was actually a good thing, so we began calling it Good Friday, or we realize that Christ's death was a good thing, for it led to His resurrection! So now when we look at the cross we are reminded of how much God loves us, that He sent His Son Jesus to die for us on that cross. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The message of the cross is grace. This g</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">race is the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it, for Jesus paid our debt once and for all. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the cross we find a message about the justice of God, for it is God Himself that</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is the epitome of all holiness and righteousness. With this being the case, He is the only One qualified to sit in judgment over unholiness (sin), and being He is the most JUST of Judges, He must punish sin. At the cross God did punish sin, but He placed His judgment and wrath on His own Son instead of us. So when we look at the cross we see God's Grace!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every other religion teaches that people reach God through their works. The cross shows us the ultimate work that was done, and the only sacrifice that could ever qualify us as being redeemed back to God was Jesus' death on the cross. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God placed all the sin of humanity on Christ in order to provide a substitute in our place. As we place our faith in what Jesus did for us, and choose to live for Him, giving our life as a living sacrifice, and thus making Him our Lord, then we become a partakers in the crucifixion because it was our sins personally that were nailed to the cross. We put on the righteousness of Christ knowing that we have none of our own, and we live for Him. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God will judge all sin one day, but because Jesus took ours to the cross already (as we are found in Him), no sin will be found in us. All is forgiven!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. The Jews and Greeks saw the cross as a sign of weakness, shame, and punishment for crime. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because salvation is a gift of God, we can’t take credit for what God has done in our lives. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God’s redemptive plan is unique in human history. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People who attempt to work for their salvation never know if they have done enough to go to heaven. In contrast, those who receive God’s forgiveness have assurance of their salvation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cross is a message about the love of God, and God</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is love, but that doesn't mean He overlooks sin for He is just. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you receive the free gift of salvation but then live a disobedient, rebellious life, God will discipline you in love. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one deserves to go to heaven by their own merit. A 90-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy are both saved by grace. We cannot even begin to fathom the kind of love it would take to place our own Son on the cross for another person, yet alone someone who deserves to die, yet God did this very thing for us because He loves us. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cross is a message about the power of God. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul writes about how the cross is about God’s power (1 Cor. 1:18). </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's power transforms anyone who will accept salvation. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prisoners who are incarcerated for life can experience freedom even though they are behind bars. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A drug addict whose life was transformed after he embraced God’s unconditional love for Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The message of the cross is a promise that the Lord is willing to save anyone who asks. Once you ask Him to forgive your sins, He instantly begins to change your life. Live every day in the assurance that you are in God’s loving hand, and that He will take care of you for all eternity. When a Christian looks at the cross they see their destination, for they think of Jesus, who made a way for us to be with Him throughout all eternity. We think of His promise in John 14:3, </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #fffefd; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the message of the cross that we can now spend eternity with God thanks to what Jesus did on the cross. </span></div>
Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-1178140630463891342013-02-27T14:15:00.000-05:002013-02-27T14:17:47.887-05:00Is the World 6,000 Years Old?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAnQ4qcoMTWlgDy2qsn5ZYn1-gJjjunoo3q_D4dfxvECBY6tfyfj1bb-lsYDXlFP6hSsqrfcORPKViKRLeZYUvmB8hoeajIvKFDD1mxXs6Z8uCvthRLnM3JbReu6IY0IW1KbwH3LQCSE/s1600/earth.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAnQ4qcoMTWlgDy2qsn5ZYn1-gJjjunoo3q_D4dfxvECBY6tfyfj1bb-lsYDXlFP6hSsqrfcORPKViKRLeZYUvmB8hoeajIvKFDD1mxXs6Z8uCvthRLnM3JbReu6IY0IW1KbwH3LQCSE/s200/earth.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A quick disclaimer: I'm tossing around some theories in this blog that are not rock solid in my theolog<span style="font-size: small;">y. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In my personal belief system, and in this particular blog, t</span>here are s</span>ome things I'<span style="font-size: small;">ve m<span style="font-size: small;">etaphorically </span>written in pen, and some things in pencil, so they can be erased and modified as I grow<span style="font-size: small;">, but onto the question...</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Am I one of those Christians that think the world is just 6,000 years old? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quick Answer: Ummm.... NO. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Longer Answer:<span style="font-size: small;"> Keep Reading...</span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know that both critics and skeptics of Christianity point to this often as a valid argument against Christianity, as it commonly disputes the fossil record findings of science that date back into the millions of years. Also, some Christians do actually believe that the world is 6,000 years old and will argue their points that Carbon Dating methods are not accurate enough to determine the age of fossil findings.<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Actually, from what I've found in the bible is evidence that seems to be in harmony with science.<span style="font-size: small;"> In other words, the bible can speak for itself, that is<span style="font-size: small;">, if we want to hear it. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The bible never makes the claim that the <span style="font-size: small;">earth is 6,000 years old. What it actually records though is from Adam to the present day is an approx<span style="font-size: small;">imate<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>6,000 year<span style="font-size: small;"> span of time<span style="font-size: small;">, according to what most bible scholars claim. The <span style="font-size: small;">bible (just as <span style="font-size: small;">science) </span>actually gives<span style="font-size: small;"> us indications that the world itself is much older than this. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="hang-2 chapter-1">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Genesis 1:1-2 says, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="text Gen-1-1"><span class="chapternum"> </span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Gen-1-1"><span class="chapternum">1</span></span><span class="text Gen-1-2" id="en-NIV-2"> </span><span class="text Gen-1-1">In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Gen-1-2" id="en-NKJV-2"></span><span class="text Gen-1-2" id="en-NKJV-2"> The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> In the original Hebrew text of this scripture, the word "was" </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">(haw-yaw)<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>means "To become" so we can actually read this as if the "earth to become void" instead of was in past tense as our English language has it written. So<span style="font-size: small;">, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and it<span style="font-size: small;"> "to become" or as we would say "became" void. Verse <span style="font-size: small;">2 gives us another clue as it says the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. <span style="font-size: small;">We know from how the creation account was described in Genes<span style="font-size: small;">is that God caused dry land to appear in the water <span style="font-size: small;">on the third day. This doesn't mean that there was <span style="font-size: small;">not a surface of land beneath the waters ho<span style="font-size: small;">wever<span style="font-size: small;">, for <span style="font-size: small;">the bible doesn't say that God created the <span style="font-size: small;">land, but <span style="font-size: small;">it reads as God commanding, "</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Gen-1-9" id="en-NKJV-9">let the dry land appear<span style="font-size: small;">,</span>" which could <span style="font-size: small;">mean that God simply made the waters recede to reveal it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Gen-1-9" id="en-NKJV-9"><span style="font-size: small;">In Psalm 104<span style="font-size: small;">, we <span style="font-size: small;">see valuable some insight<span style="font-size: small;">s as </span>the God of all creation is pra<span style="font-size: small;">i<span style="font-size: small;">sed. </span>We see that at the Lord's rebuke the waters "</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Gen-1-9" id="en-NKJV-9"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Ps-104-7">hastened away." This verse is commonly thought of as <span style="font-size: small;">referring to the flood of Noah's time, but as we read about it, the waters took a long time to recede before Noah and his family could inhabit the land again. The Psalm 104 account indicate<span style="font-size: small;">s that the recession of the waters was something that occurred quickly. When we also look at the appearance of dry land happening on the third day as it is <span style="font-size: small;">described in the creation account foun<span style="font-size: small;">d in Genesis<span style="font-size: small;">, chapter one, it is evident that the flood being described in Psalm 104 is not the Noahic Flood<span style="font-size: small;">, but one prior to this. Verse 2, of Genesis 1, <span style="font-size: small;">also supports this theory as it says, "</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Gen-1-2" id="en-NKJV-2">the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." It is <span style="font-size: small;">only obvious from scr<span style="font-size: small;">ipture then that the earth was <span style="font-size: small;">void of inhabitants because it was <span style="font-size: small;">in a flooded state, and since t<span style="font-size: small;">he sun was created later, there was not marine life either<span style="font-size: small;">, as we see also later<span style="font-size: small;"> God created the marine life on the fifth day<span style="font-size: small;"> after the sun<span style="font-size: small;">, moon, and stars were created on the forth day. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Gen-1-2" id="en-NKJV-2"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also found in Genesis 1, is is peculiar statement<span style="font-size: small;"> in verse 28. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>We read here that "God
tells Adam to go and replenish the earth." This choice of wording with "replenish" would be an indication that some kind of habitation had to exist prior to Adam. While studying this I found that one scholar had laid it out into 3 ages, and I found this interesting. He concluded that <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">the f</span>irst "Heaven & earth age" was when Satan tried to over throw God. This age was destroyed, and it appears from what we know in Psalm 104, the earth was completely <span style="font-size: small;">flooded. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "<span style="font-size: small;">S</span>econd <span style="font-size: small;">A</span>ge" began with Adam,<span style="font-size: small;"> and <span style="font-size: small;">we are currently living within it. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "Third <span style="font-size: small;">A</span>g<span style="font-size: small;">e" </span>will begin when Satan is thrown into the lake of fire and heaven and earth is renewed. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This theory (and I do stress th<span style="font-size: small;">is is a theory</span>), might be backed up by 2 Corinthians
12:2 where Paul is describing a Third Heaven, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 12:2 says, </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Revelation 2<span style="font-size: small;">1:1 John <span style="font-size: small;">writes</span>, </span></span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="text Rev-21-1">Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since the theory is that the</span> "First <span style="font-size: small;">A</span>ge" was when Satan tried to over throw God, and this age was destroyed<span style="font-size: small;">, it makes since to closely examine the fall of Lucifer (Satan). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I<span style="font-size: small;">saiah 14:12-15 says, </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">12 “How you are fallen from heaven,<br />O Lucifer, son of the morning!<br />How you are cut down to the ground,<br />You who weakened the nations!<br />13 For you have said in your heart:<br />‘I will ascend into heaven,<br />I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;<br />I will also sit on the mount of the congregation<br />On the farthest sides of the north;<br />14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,<br />I will be like the Most High.’<br />15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,<br />To the lowest depths of the Pit.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'd like to point out 2 things in this passage above. It speaks of Lucifer's fall. We know he was already there in the Garden of Eden prior to Adam and Eve, and in Chapter 3 he speaks to Eve as a serpent. The second thing I'll bring attention to is one of the charges that was made against him. In verse 12 we see, "</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You who weakened the nations!" My question is if we are looking <span style="font-size: small;">at Lucifer, who was cast down to earth, then he weakened the nations, <span style="font-size: small;">and all of these things occured before Adam, then this <span style="font-size: small;">must e speaking of a Pre-Adamic habitation of the earth. <span style="font-size: small;">...Or a</span>s the theory above would call it, "The First Age."</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This also provides us more insight into understanding Ezekial 28, where God declares a </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">proclamation against the King of Tyre. The first ten verse seem to describe a man, but then verses 11 through 19 seem to be speaking of Lucifer himself. It would seem that this king was influenced by Lucifer (called Satan). We also see that he influenced Adam and Eve, and we also know he tempted many in the bible to sin and still tempts us today. If there were a Pre-Adamic habitation on the earth, is it really a stretch to believe that these inhabitants may have pledged their allegiances to Satan and God judged them for it? Satan did after all fall with a third of the angels following after him. Again, these are just theories. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So does the Bible and Science conflict? The answer is, "NO." Science is simply man's study of God's creation, and one looks at it closer, the bible and science exist in harmony. The earth is simply MUCH older than 6,000 years. Judging from the fossil records there was an evident occupation of earth that existed prior to Adam's creation (the Second Age). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is important that we don't shut out the voice of science as Christians sometimes do. When a scientific fact seems to indicate something contrary to our faith, this should prompt us to look deeper into the bible for an understanding of God and His creation, not to hang our faith up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-14231939485258997332013-02-20T11:18:00.006-05:002013-02-20T12:00:05.702-05:00Boundaries of Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Years ago after first becoming a Christian, we were visiting my in-laws in West Virginia. I had also heard that a Church in Yukon, a small community in McDowell County, WV was having a revival service. I decided that I would check it out, so I went while my wife visited with her family. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This Church was in a hollow, or as they say there, "up a holler," so I had to drive past quite a few houses up a narrow street <span style="font-size: small;">that winds up into the mountain</span>, and to do so slowly as there were often people on ATVs and dirt bikes riding. Also there may be children playing, cars parked out in the road, and any number of obstacles to watch out for. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The people in this particular hollow were like many in southern West Virginia, <span style="font-size: small;">most were living in poverty, some were addicted to drugs, but also most of the<span style="font-size: small;">m were good-hearted people. The<span style="font-size: small;">re were a few Churches that served as beacons of light in this community, and <span style="font-size: small;">one of them was the one I was <span style="font-size: small;">visiting. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">After a great revival service that night<span style="font-size: small;">, I left the Church <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">feeling</span> uplifted</span>, and began <span style="font-size: small;">driving back out of the holl<span style="font-size: small;">ow. It was getting dark<span style="font-size: small;">er<span style="font-size: small;"> and there w<span style="font-size: small;">as a lot of activity. People were walking around<span style="font-size: small;"> and </span>ATVs were bu<span style="font-size: small;">zzing past me<span style="font-size: small;">. All of a sudden there <span style="font-size: small;">were 3 dogs playing in the middle of the street and one of them ran right up under th<span style="font-size: small;">e front of my car. The car rolled the <span style="font-size: small;">poor dog<span style="font-size: small;"> under it and out the back, and I heard and felt several thumps before I came to a stop. I got out of the car to see this poor dog laying in the street behind my car<span style="font-size: small;">. It was dead. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">I suddenly heard someone yell out to a woman a few houses down<span style="font-size: small;"> saying, "Hey<span style="font-size: small;">, this fella kilt yer dog!" The woman came down the <span style="font-size: small;">street and began crying out <span style="font-size: small;">with a loud wail<span style="font-size: small;">. I felt really bad that it had happened, but also a little uneasy as there <span style="font-size: small;">was suddenly a small crowd beginning to form<span style="font-size: small;">. The woman began yelling profanities<span style="font-size: small;">, but they were not directed at me<span style="font-size: small;">... I don't think... and at least not yet. I apologized to her and explained that the dog just ran right up under the car before I could st<span style="font-size: small;">op. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A pic<span style="font-size: small;">k up truck pulled up beside my car and a man got out. He reached into the back of his truck and grabbed a shovel, then walked over toward the dog. He scraped the shovel un<span style="font-size: small;">der the dead dog, and p<span style="font-size: small;">romptly tos<span style="font-size: small;">sed it into the back of his truck. <span style="font-size: small;">At this the woman began crying louder. I sensed it may be my time to le<span style="font-size: small;">ave, so I <span style="font-size: small;">got into my car an<span style="font-size: small;">d did so. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I <span style="font-size: small;">drove off I asked God, Why it was that I could leave a great <span style="font-size: small;">Church service feeling uplifted and then have something so bad immediately happen. I thought about how the woman looked at me with such anger, and how she cried for the dog. She must have loved that dog a lot. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was then that I felt the Lord <span style="font-size: small;">softly spoke to me<span style="font-size: small;">, for from out of nowhere<span style="font-size: small;"> it was impressed to me, "She didn't love that dog<span style="font-size: small;">."<span style="font-size: small;"> As I thought about this I began to realize </span>that if she did truly love that dog, then she would have protected it with a chain, or a fence.<span style="font-size: small;"> I've <span style="font-size: small;">had cats and dogs over the years and I <span style="font-size: small;">have loved them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our beagle Max died <span style="font-size: small;">when we lived in North Carolina. <span style="font-size: small;">We </span>drove him to an Animal ER and they treated him. To this day I'm not sure whether he was poisoned by someone, or what happe<span style="font-size: small;">ned, but <span style="font-size: small;">when the <span style="font-size: small;">Veterinarian asked me about giving <span style="font-size: small;">Max</span> a blood transfusion, I gave the go ahead with no hesitation<span style="font-size: small;">, for he was like family to us. This ran up to a $500 Vet bill, but <span style="font-size: small;">we</span> didn't care<span style="font-size: small;">, for we loved him. At around 5:AM the next morning he had finally passed away<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Today, our dog Shadow plays in our back yard. We have tried to let him run free, but he goes straight to the road. We have had to keep him on a chain because of this. Shadow is part Chihuahua and part whatever else, but his <span style="font-size: small;">temperament is unmistakably<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>100% Chihuahua. At night, we bring him into the house and place him into his pet carrier. H<span style="font-size: small;">e will nudge his blanket around until he is completely covered, then he sleeps feeling <span style="font-size: small;">safe and secure. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is my wishes that Shadow could run all over the yard and have complete freedom<span style="font-size: small;">, however each time we have allowed him to go loose he would run straight to the road. <span style="font-size: small;">Because we love Shadow, we give him <span style="font-size: small;">the <span style="font-size: small;">boundaries of a chain when he is outside playing. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same is true with God's word.<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">When the <span style="font-size: small;">co<span style="font-size: small;">ncepts of the bible are applied to our life, then it also serves as a protective boundary around us. Just we are His sheep<span style="font-size: small;"> in His pasture, His word is the fence that prot<span style="font-size: small;">ects us from wandering away from Him, our Good She<span style="font-size: small;">pherd. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We may not alwa<span style="font-size: small;">ys like the fence surrounding us, but each time we find<span style="font-size: small;"> a way to g<span style="font-size: small;">et <span style="font-size: small;">beyond it, then it seems as always, the wolves are waiting there for us<span style="font-size: small;"> somewhere. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just as I felt uneasy in that <span style="font-size: small;">hollow after feeling <span style="font-size: small;">safe in the House of God, I am safer<span style="font-size: small;"> within His pasture than I am over the fence. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">God puts boundaries up to protect His children. We also do the same thing with our own children. We don't let them do just whatever they wish whenever they want to, for if they are restricted, then they will get hurt. Sometimes too<span style="font-size: small;">, wh<span style="font-size: small;">en they insist on having their way it is important to let them suffer the consequences on their own<span style="font-size: small;">. I remember once reading about how <span style="font-size: small;">Indians</span> would teach their children not to get too close to the fire. They would just allow them to get burned<span style="font-size: small;"> on their own, and from there on the child would stay away from the fire. God also lets us have our own way sometimes just so we will <span style="font-size: small;">get burned and learn. </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;"></span>- Hebrews 12:6</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </blockquote>
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540216161035671546.post-17920481776463114502013-02-17T13:36:00.000-05:002013-02-17T14:35:37.627-05:00When Life Doesn't Make Sense<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sit here and blog this morning, but just 24 hours ago I was a pallbearer, carrying a casket with five other grieving men through a snowy graveyard to lay my sweet sister-in-law, Tiny Walters to rest. She was beloved woman who was full of character. She was a wonderful wife, a loving mother of two beautiful daughters, and a Christian who was very active in her local Church. Tiny left this world after a 22 month battle with leukemia, and died at the young age of 48, which is way to young in my opinion. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />For the past 2 years, me and my wife, along with so many other family members, have prayed for Tiny to be healed from this dreadful disease. We would see hope time and time again, but then get reports that would make us fear the worst. We anointed her with oil and prayed over her as described in James Chapter 5. People have stood in for her at the alter and prayed for healing on her behalf. Overall, there have been many tears and prayers lifted up unto God. The end result though was that we had a funeral for her, and we are now left with so many questions. <br /><br />Some have asked me for the answers, and I've never had a good, quick, answer to give them. Some may be blaming themselves for not praying enough, or for having a lack of faith. Some might be blaming others for having a lack of faith. Some are possibly blaming God, and some are defending God and insisting that the devil did this. Some of us understand in the theological sense why sometimes good, Christian, people will die at a young age, but still cannot fully understand this particular tragedy because it hits so close to home. This is where I'm at currently, and I know a few others that are with me here. <br /><br />My sister-in-law had a beautiful funeral service, and her pastor was very comforting as he described Heaven, and how there was no more suffering there. We now know that Tiny suffers no more from the ravages of leukemia, or from man's attempts to treat her with Chemotherapy and drugs. <br /><br /> Tiny's pastor, a cancer survivor himself, explained how she was now resting in Heaven, and is in perfect health and happiness, and that she is also waiting there for us. These were much needed words of comfort, as there are so many people hurting right now, and I know Tiny would have been pleased to see the huge turn out of people who attended. The funeral service provides a much needed closure for the family. We know Tiny is now reunited with her family (that were in Christ) that have gone on before her. <br /><br />All of this is helpful to the family that she has left behind, but still there are questions left behind as well. I can explain according to the bible in the general sense why things like this happen, and why there is suffering, sickness, and death. However, I cannot explain why Tiny has been taken from us. I've prayed with families who lost loved ones while volunteering as a hospital chaplain, but I've never had that answer for them - why their loved one? The best thing I can tell them is that God will one day give them the understanding. <br /><br />Although some of it still eludes my understanding, but this is what I currently understand about God and how He works with human suffering, sickness, and death. I'll attempt to do this by answering some questions based on what I know of the bible. Question #1... Does God permit human suffering, sickness, and death?<br /><br />Some would be quick to answer this and tell us that God does not cause these tragedies. They would tell you that it is the devil that orchestrates earthquakes, hurricanes, famine, and human suffering, sickness, and death. I've heard preachers say that God does not have cancer, so He cannot give anyone cancer. I've heard other preachers talk about how "God will put a tumor on you the size of a softball." I've heard so much arguing over whether it is God or Satan that does these things. This isn't the question that I'm answering though. The question is... Does God permit human suffering, sickness, and death? If we read the book of Job we do see that it is Satan that brought so much calamity on Job, but he also did so with God's permission. <br /><br />Ephesians 1:11 says, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />This may step on some people's theology, but God is sovereign. This means that He is in control of everything (good or bad) that happens. This also means that God allows people in this world to die at a young age whether they are a Christian or not. God is in control of ALL of this, because God is sovereign. This means also that God allowed my sister-in-law and other beloved family members to pass away. Everything that happens does so with God's permission. This is according to Ephesians 1:11 above where it clearly says that He "works all things according to the counsel of His will." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When facing the tragedies of life it leaves us with a few choices to make doesn't it? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Choice #1 - In our grief, we could choose to become angry at God and rebel against Him. Choice #2 - We could choose to not believe in His existence at all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Choice #3 - We could blame ourselves or others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Choice #4 - We could admit we don't understand all of God's ways, but we will still trust Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When faced with the tragedy of battling Leukemia, my sister-in-law Tiny chose #4, and although she wasn't able to always trace God's hand working in her life, she trusted His heart. Even though there is a lot about God we may not know, He has revealed to us a lot about Himself in His word, the Holy Bible. What a privilege it is to hold such a book as this in our hands, and yet how often do we not appreciate what it truly is? Through reading the pages of the bible we can actually answer many of life's questions about tragedy and human suffering. For instance, Does God permit these things to happen? - Like </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephesians 1:11 above answers. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />God allows tragedy in this life just as He allows people to sin. Although God does not want us to sin, but He leaves it up to us, and allows us to do it. God allows us to turn against Him and sin, and God allows us to choose to follow Him. God has permitted that we have the freedom to choose whether we will worship Him or not. <br /><br />Genesis 1:26 says, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is God's will that man has control to make our own choices in life. We are created in God's image and we have authority in the earth. It is God however that has authority over the universe and everything in it - including us. With this control we have been given comes responsibility. There will also be consequences that we face as a result of our choices in life. Since God is in control of everything, He has also allowed this world to exist as we know it and for us to be in control of how we live in it. <br /><br />Romans 5:12 says,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />God permits people to die (some even at a young age) because of the sin that is in the world. As we see in Romans 5:12, sin entered the world, and with it death. Death is then spread onto everyone (all men), and this is because all have sinned. The question is then... </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should we hate sin, or should we hate death? Answer, we should hate both!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Of course we should hate sin, for it is sin that has brought death into this world, and we do hate death. I hate that so many of my loved ones have died, just as all of us do. Some of them were so young. Since sickness, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and other tragedies all linked by a common denominator we know as death, and that all of this is a result of sin. In other words, the side effects of sin is death. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It only is common logic that when we take a drug, that we hate it's harmful side effects. This is usually done with the knowledge that we are at least taking a medicine that may benefit us in some way. With sin however, we only experience a temporary pleasure, that is followed by the side effect of death. So sin is not a medicine at all, but it is a poison. People die because of sin, and we all have sinned, so we all die. The fact that people die young in this world is because of the sin that is in the world according to the bible. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Does God have a plan in the end?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />In Revelation Chapter 20, we read about God's final judgment of Satan, and him being cast into "the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." Following this is the "Great white Throne Judgment." During this judgment all of the people whose name isn't found in the Lamb's Book of Life are also cast into the lake of fire. This is called the "Second Death." As we read further we see that finally the last thing to be thrown into the lake of fire is death. This is also mentioned in 1st Corinthians 15:26, where it says, "And the last enemy to be destroyed is death." <br /><br />That's right, Death, just like Sin, and just like Satan - are all our enemies! God will destroy them all in His final judgment over the earth, but what is awesome is that while all of this is happening, my sister-in-law Tiny, my wife Ann, myself, and many other people I love will be in Heaven together. This is because God also has a plan for His children. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />God, who gave us the ability to choose, also gave us the choice of not being condemned to this judgment. He took the most drastic measure of sending His only Son Jesus to make this choice possible for us. Where sin separated us from God, the death of Jesus and His resurrection from the dead defeated our enemy - death! This means that while we will die physically in the first death, we do not have to face the second death! In giving Himself for us, Jesus took care of both sin and it's side effect of death! Romans 4:25 tells us that He "was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification"<br /><br />When we die now and are in Christ, we are in the presence of our Lord, and He made us this promise among many others saying, "I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:3)<br /><br />Because of what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross, the bible says that, “He that has the Son has life.” We can receive Jesus Christ, as our Savior by faith, and trust in Jesus and His death as the payment for our sins. John 1:12 says, "But to all who have received him--those who believe in his name--he has given the right to become God's children."<br /><br />In this life we will suffer. Nobody is immune to this, for Jesus Himself even suffered while on this earth as a man. Sin has entered this world and this is why. God has allowed this world to operate as it does, and has allowed us the opportunity to choose life in spite of it all. We are not going to be in this cursed place forever, but we are just passing through it. We are spirit beings living a temporary human experience, and our choices directly effect our eternity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Revelation 21:4 promises us, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister-in-law Tiny suffered through many trials in this world as we all do. Her pastor during the funeral stated that through it all, her faith in Christ did not waver. I, and many others noticed this too about her. Tiny put her trust in Jesus as her Savior and to the end she stood firm in Him. She now experiences the joy of Heaven in the presence of Jesus, and her family before her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This verse is for her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blessed is the man (or woman) who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- James 1:12</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dedicated to Addie B. Walters (Tiny)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 27, 1964 - Feb 13, 2013</span></div>
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Randy Tedfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501525416233457432noreply@blogger.com