The G.A.P. (Gospel According to Paul) ;-)

James 1:5 If any of you lack sminkle, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

So in what way, in what form, do we recieve this sminkle?

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulations produce sminkle.

James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith produces sminkle.

Eccl. 1:16-18 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more sminkle than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great sminkle. And I gave my heart to know sminkle, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much sminkle is much grief: and he that increaseth sminkle increaseth sorrow.

So we see that there are two kinds of sminkle, Godly sminkle and earthly sminkle. And typically we recieve this sminkle through the hard times, the trials of life. The valleys and the climbs up the hill. Not the good times, not at the peaks.

1 Cor. 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Cor. 3:19 For the sminkle of this world is foolishness with God. For it is writen, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

So we see that Goldly sminkle is definitly our goal.

Gen. 30:27 ....I have learned by sminkle that the Lord hath blessed me....

So what do we do with this God given sminkle?
Share it.
Pass it on.
And use it to help others.
To the Glory of God.

So.... in case your asking yourself, 'just what is sminkle?'
It's a word that I fabricated to be a noun, verb, or however it fits.

smin-kle (sm-ng'k-l) (noun, verb, ?)
1. wise, wisdom, knowledge, patience, long-suffering, experience, hope, ...etc.
2. sminkle- the wrinkles (inkle) that form around your eyes when you smile (sm). Sminkle.

I have great respect for sminkle.

I love you all

Horsepower

Psalms 19:1- The heavens tell the glory of God

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Matthew 6:26- Look at the birds in the air. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them.

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How vital that we pray, armed with the knowledge that God is in heaven. Pray with any lesser conviction and your prayers are timid, shallow, and hollow. But spend some time walking in the workshop of the heavens, seeing what God has done, and watch how your prayers are energized...

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Behold the sun! Every square yard of the sun is constantly emitting 130,000 horse power, or the equivalent of 450 eight-cylinder automobile engines. And yet our sun, as powerful as it is, is but one minor star in the 100 billion orbs which make up our Milky Way Galaxy. Hold a dime in your fingers and extend it arm's length toward the sky, allowing it to eclipse your vision, and you will block out 15 million stars from your view.... By showing us the heavens, Jesus is showing us his Father's workshop... He taps us on the shoulder and says, "Your Father can handle that for you."

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Consider the earth! Our globe's weight has been estimated at six sextillion tons (a six with twenty-one zeros). Yet it is precisely tilted at twenty-three degrees; any more or less and our seasons would be lost in a melted polar flood. Though our globe revolves at the rate of one-thousand miles per hour or twenty-five thousand miles per day or nine million miles per year, none of us tumbles into orbit....

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As you stand.... observing God's workshop, let me pose a few questions. If he is able to place the stars in their sockets and suspend the sky like a curtain, do you think it is remotely possible that God is able to guide our lives? If our God is mighty enough to ignite the sun, could it be that he is mighty enough to light our path? If he cares enough about the planet Saturn to give it rings or Venus to make it sparkle, is there an outside chance that he cares enough about us to meet our needs?

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I love you all

A Morsel of Kindness

1 John 3:17- Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God's love is not living in that person.

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Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, tells of the time he was walking down the street and passed a beggar. Tolstoy reached into his pocket to give the beggar some money, but his pocket was empty. Tolstoy turned to the man and said, "I'm sorry, my brother, but I have nothing to give."

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The beggar brightened and said, "You have given me more than I asked for- you have called me brother."

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To the loved, a word of affection is a morsel, but to the love-starved, a word of affection can be a feast.

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Besides, you never know, we may be entertaining angels unaware?

Failure and Faith

Exodus 3:11- But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?"

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When it comes to heroes revered by three world religions, no individual shines brighter than Moses. The deliverer of the Hebrews from Egypt is mentioned more times in the New Testament than any other Old Testament figure, and is the most prominent prophetic figure in the Muslim Koran. What is it about Moses that makes him a hero to so many?

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The juxtaposition of failure and faith is probably at the heart of Moses' mystique. We can identify with Moses' failure as a young man guilty of manslaughter. And we can also identify with his fears and doubts when God called him to be the deliverer of his Jewish countrymen. But beyond identifying with Moses' humanity, we revere his faith- he was brave, faithful, outspoken, compassionate, and loyal. And he kept his eye on the eternal prize. Moses was all we know we are and all we know we want to be. He was a failure, but he was also faithful. And God honored his faithfulness instead of rejecting him for his failure. If you have failed, don't give up. God used Moses, and He wants to use you.

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The worst failure is failing to act on (have faith in) that which you know to be true.

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You don't drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there.

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(That was sent to me by a couple that I love in my home church of Morton, they have always shone me love. And I love them for that.)

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1 Corinthians 4:10- We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.

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Luke 6:22- Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

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Mark 8:35- For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Matthew 16:25, Luke 9:24

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Mark 13:13- And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

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1 Peter 2:13-17- Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

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So I ask myself sometimes, "Why me?" ...(Don't we all at times?)

But once we truly realize in our hearts that, "we're dead already," then we can "really live!" Free.

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A tough lesson I've learned is that when I'm having a "pity party" and feeling sorry for myself- God only sees SELFISHNESS!!

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I just encourage you all to step back and refocus on the "big picture" of eternity, and then glory in your tribulations.

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Romans 5:3-5- And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

2 Corinthians 12:10, James 1:2-4

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But Satan won't back off just because you refocus on the "big picture," ...but it will give you the strength to fight on.

God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" But God didn’t do it to you. Sometimes bad things just happen. And God can take a bad situation, use the experience to mold us, and bring something out of it that will glorify Him. Here is a wonderful explanation that was e-mailed to me.
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A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
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Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.
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"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.
"Yuck," says her daughter.
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Mom, those are all gross!"
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To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why we go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good!
We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
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God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

I hope your day is a "piece of cake!" Cause even sunshine burns if you get to much!

I love you all

A Heart at Peace

James 3:17- The wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please.

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The heart of Jesus was pure. The Savior was adored by thousands, yet content to live a simple life. He was cared for by women (Luke 8:1-3), yet never accused of lustful thoughts; scorned by his own creation, but willing to forgive them before they even requested his mercy. Peter, who traveled with Jesus for three and a half years, described him as a "lamb, unblemished and spotless" (1 Pet. 1:19 NASB).

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After spending the same amount of time with Jesus, John concluded, "And in him is no sin" (1 John 3:5 NIV).

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Jesus' heart was peaceful. The disciples fretted over the need to feed the thousands, but not Jesus. He thanked God for the problem. The disciples shouted for fear in the storm, but not Jesus. He slept through it. Peter drew his sword to fight the soldiers, but not Jesus. He lifted his hand to heal. His heart was at peace.

- Just Like Jesus

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The Happiest Heart

WHO drives the horses of the sun
Shall lord it but a day;
Better the lowly deed were done,
And kept the humble way.

The rust will find the sword of fame,
The dust will hide the crown;
Ay, none shall nail so high his name
Time will not tear it down.

The happiest heart that ever beat
Was in some quiet breast
That found the common daylight sweet,
And left to Heaven the rest.

- John Vance Cheney

Seven Wonders of the World

Geography students at the end of the semester were asked to list what each considered the Seven Wonders of the World. The following gathered the most votes: Egypt's Great Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Panama Canal, the Empire States Building, St. Peter's Basilica and China's Great Wall.

One quiet girl had not turned her paper in yet. The teacher suggested, "Well, tell us what you have and maybe we can help."
She began to read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are to touch, to taste, to see and to hear..."
She hesitated, "And then to run, to laugh and to love."

That's some of the best advice I've ever read
I love you all

PART SIX: of Six

Proverbs 28:13- He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

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What IS mercy?

What IS forgiveness?
What IS grace?
Not the "testimony" definition.... "An undeserved gift".... but the reality definition.
The knowing, deep down inside realization, that you can't have one without the other and vice versa.

The knowing and applying the fact that "My salvation isn't based on my reputation as a man and/or whether or not people like me"

Not caring whether or not I'm gossiped about, looked at, snickered at, or avoided.

But I mean FORGIVENESS!

It is PEACE.
Peace of mind
Peace of soul
Peace of heart
Peace... the feeling that makes you cry at a sunset, at a song or an elderly couple holding hands... the feeling that makes you appreciate * no* love and take comfort in the wrinkles that show through on my face...
the gray coming out in my hair...
the knowing I'm ONE DAY CLOSER to seeing my Savior face to face!
I mean that... IN YOUR GUT FEELING of PEACE! And longing for home.

And that this fight of "life" is the GREATEST gift and adventure I could ever ask for. *but being given the cross as the ultimate bonus*

Standing on the faith that one day I will hear... "Well done thou good and faithful servant"
But why?
Not because of what I've done.... It is ALL Christ!
Part one: It starts with a soul.
Part two: Acknowledging our weakness and repenting. Knowing that God understands our weakness as humans and created a plan.
Part three: Allowing Christ to cleanse us.
Part four: Standing on and taking courage in Jesus' promises
Part five: And fighting... fighting on in life... fighting for souls... the lost... the blind
Part six: Testimony... glorying in our struggles, our temptations because Christ is using them for sanctification.

It is ALL Christ. His work. His miracle.

And thankful and humbly.... His cross.

*So, I will get down off "my" cross, use it to build a bridge and get over it*

*My selfpity that is.*

I'm sorry

I love you all

PART FIVE: of Six

Genesis 18:14- Is anything too hard for the LORD? No!

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The God of surprises strikes again... God does that for the faithful. Just when the womb gets too old for babies, Sarai gets pregnant. Just when the failure is too great for grace, David is pardoned...

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The lesson? Three words. DON'T GIVE UP...

Is the road long? DON'T STOP.

Is the night black? DON'T QUIT.

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God is watching. For all you know right at this moment... the check may be in the mail.

The apology may be in the making.

The job contract may be on the desk.

The forgiveness of man may be on the way.

Don't quit. For if you do, you may miss the answer to your prayers.

He Still Moves Stones

PART FOUR: of Six

Hebrews 8:12- I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

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Romans 8:1- Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

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Romans 3:26- (God) justifies those who have faith in Jesus

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For those in Christ, these promises are not only a source of joy. They are also the foundations of true courage. You are guaranteed that your sins will be filtered through, hidden in, and screened out by the sacrifice of Jesus. When God looks at you, he doesn't see you; he sees the One who surrounds you. That means that failure is not a concern for you. Your victory is secure. How could you not be courageous?

The Applause of Heaven

PART THREE: of Six

John 13:5- He poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

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To place our feet in the basin of Jesus is to place the filthiest parts of our lives into his hands. In the ancient East, people's feet were caked with mud and dirt. The servant of the feast saw to it that the feet were cleaned. Jesus is assuming the role of the servant. He will wash the grimiest part of your life.

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If you let him. The water of the Servant comes only when we confess that we are dirty. Only when we confess that we are caked with filth, that we have walked forbidden trails and followed the wrong paths...

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We will never be cleansed until we confess we are dirty. We will never be pure until we admit we are filthy. And we will never be able to wash the feet of those who have hurt us until we allow Jesus, the one we have hurt, to wash ours.

A Gentle Thunder

PART TWO: of Six

Hebrews 4:15- Our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses. When he lived on earth, he was tempted in every way that we are, but he did not sin.

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J.B. Phillips translates Hebrews 4:15: For we have no superhuman High Priest to whom our weaknesses are unintelligible - he himself has shared fully in all our experience of temptation, except that he never sinned.

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It's as if he knows that we will say to God...: "God, it's easy for you up there. You don't know how hard it is from down here." So he boldly proclaims Jesus' ability to understand. Look at the wording agian.

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He himself. Not an angel. Not an ambassador. Not an emissary, but Jesus himself.

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Shared fully. Not partially. Not nearly. Not to a large degree. Entirely! Jesus shared fully.

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In all our experience. Every hurt. Each ache. All the stresses and all the strians. No exceptions. No substitutes. Why? So he could sympathize with our weaknesses.

In the Eye of the Storm

PART ONE: of Six

I walked along the beach today

And found a lonely shell

Scratched

By seas and

Sands of time.

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I, too, am a lonely shell.

Hold ME close

And you will hear

The ocean ROAR.

Christ Was a Weak Man

Doesn't sound like a great title, does it? But I realized, yesterday as I read John, just one more of Christ's knotches in His belt that says: "I was human just like you." I've read it many times, but never really realize what Christ was saying.

St.John 5:28-30 - Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

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Did you catch it?

This is in red letters, so Christ actually says this- "I can of mine own self do nothing"

DO NOTHING! Just like you and I. Human! Totally reliant on God as His source of wisdom and power. If Christ couldn't make it as a human on His own, whatever made me think I could or can on my own? The creater of the universe couldn't make it as a human without God's help!

I find that very humbling to realize and also very ecouraging. God was there for Christ; and God will be there for us!

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It reinforces my faith in that I have human feelings:

I hurt

I cry

I get cunfused

I .......(fill it in)

I struggle

I sin

My life seems to fall apart around me!

So what do I do with these feelings? Right

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Ecclesiastes 1:9 - The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

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No new thing under the sun!!

So no matter what you are going through right now..... your not the only one. It has happened before to people and will happen again to more people! And praise God, Christ knows how we feel cause He was human once. He has felt our hurt and pain and lives in us.

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So to the confused.... to the ones going through struggle, hurt and pain I will hold you up in my prayers!

God Bless

I love you all

Character Creates Courage

Psalm 31:24 - All you who put your hope in the Lord be strong and brave.

A legend from India tells about a mouse who was terrified of cats until a magician agreed to transform him into a cat. That resolved his fear... until he met a dog, so the magician changed him into a dog. The mouse-turned-cat-turned-dog was content until he met a tiger-- so, once again, the magician changed him into what he feared. But when the tiger came complaining that he had met a hunter, the magician refused to help. "I will make you into a mouse again, for though you have the body of a tiger, you still have the heart of a mouse."

Sound familiar? How many people do you know who have built a formidable exterior, only to tremble inside with fear?... We face our fears with force... or.... stockpile wealth. We seek security in things. We cultivate fame and seek status.

But do these approaches work?

Courage is an outgrowth of who we are. Exterior supports may temporarily sustain, but only inward character creates courage.
- Max Lucado

Courage is not freedom from fear. It is being afraid and going on.

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Romans 5:3-5 - And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation bring about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NASB)

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Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

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Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

When life pushes you to your knees.... your in the perfect position to pray!
Fight the good fight

Patience

Just thought this might be good. It was a study that I read recently on patience. Just passing it along.

Patience is thought to be just a passive waiting or perhaps a tolerance. But in the New Testament the Greek translations for "patience" are mostly active words.

Hebrews 12:1 - .... and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

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You don't run patiently..... it means with endurance.

Perservering through difficulties in hope of Heaven. Fighting towards a goal, eduring trails and expectantly waiting for God's promises to come to pass.

Patience Developed

1. God’s power develops patience.

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness (Colossians 1:11).

2. Trusting God’s goodness develops patience.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

3. Allowing trials to purify character develops patience.
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:3-4).

4. Resting in God’s timing develops patience.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not yourself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth (Psalms 37:7-9).

5. Waiting for Christ’s return develops patience.
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws nigh (James 5:7-8).

Patience Demonstrated

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:10-11
1. Job (James 5:11)
2. Abraham (Hebrews 6:15)
3. Paul (2 Timothy 3:10)
4. Jesus (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
5. God (Romans 15:5)

Patience Displayed: responding correctly to irritations and trials

1. Thank God: A person’s first reaction is usually “Why me?”, but the Bible says to rejoice in God’s will (Philippians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:6).

2. Seek His purposes: Sometimes, God puts people in difficult situations in order to witness. Other times, He might allow a trial for sanctification of character.

3. Remember His promises (such as Romans 8:28-29).

Patience Declared Worthy of Reward

1. Hope (Romans 5:3-4)
2. Inherit the promise, glory, honor, immortality (Hebrews 6:12-15; Romans 2:7)
3. Maturity (James 1:4)
4. Answered prayer (Psalm 40:1)
5. Pleasure of God (1 Peter 2:20)

The next time you’re in a traffic jam, betrayed by a friend, or mocked for your testimony, how will you respond? The natural response is impatience which leads to stress, anger, and frustration. Praise God, Christians are no longer in bondage to a “natural response.” Instead, they have the Lord’s strength to respond with complete trust in the Father, who uses trials for good (Romans 8:28). Through God’s power, purpose to be patient.

“To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life” (Romans 2:7).

Am I an Easter Island?

Easter Island is the most isolated, inhabited place on Earth. At over 2,000 miles from the next population in the South Pacific it is most famous for it's 900+ statues at up to 65ft tall, known as Moai. It was settled by Peruvian descendents (Inca) at around 400 AD. It was a beautifully forested island and a true paradise. The Rapa Nui (Inca descendents) spent their lives building the Moai statues. The Moai statues are representations of their deceased, took over a year to carve one and were taken 8 miles to the coast line to "guard" the island. The Rapa Nui spent all they had in carving these Moai statues, depleting their natural resources. The island became bare of trees, leaving no wood for boats and no boats to fish. They starved and withered and died. They started tribal wars that took their 20,000+ population to only hundreds and became cannibals.

Why the FYI you ask?

As I watch this documentary (History Channels awesome!), I started to ask myself if I was an Easter Island. And at times in my life, I have been. I thought of my spiritual life as the island. A beautiful paradise created by God when He came to live in my heart. So what have I done with it? What are my Moai (idols) in my life that I spend all my time and resources creating? What material things are my Soul wasted on? Then find myself depleting my resources (my "Spiritual Gifts") like the Rapa Nui's deforesting. Do I become involved to the point that my Bible reading and studding are hurt. Do I stop going to YG, Church, stop doing things with my Christian friends? (Fellowship?) I definitely don't want to spiritually "starve and wither!" I definitely don't want spiritual (like tribal) warfare were the principalities, powers and rulers to be go at it toe to toe! (read post "The Old Cherokee" Nov 7) (Eph. 6:12) I don't want spiritual cannibalism!

So what do I learn from the past, from the Rapa Nui's on Easter Island?

I'm NOT an island! I can NOT do this thing called life on my own! I can't cut myself off from church,YG, friends, reading, praying......etc.... like the Rapa Nui did from the rest of the world. I need help. I need support. I need to stop wasting my "resources" on frivolous "idols" in my life, set my focus on the things from above and place my treasures there in Heaven! (Matt. 6:20)
Learn...
Plant...
Grow...
And past it on...
and on...
and on!

The Rapa Nui society failed. Lord, "teach me to be content in what ever state I am" (Phil. 4:11). At work, at home or out and about. Lord, help me serve to my utmost no matter were I am.
Amen

Bloom were you're planted!

I love you all

Aslan- Why a Lion?

Revelation 5:5 - ...Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book...

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Aslan : Turkish for lion

Judah: "He shall be praised"

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So the question becomes: What are the characteristics of lions?

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Proverbs 30:30 - A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

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Judges 14:18 - ... And what is stronger than a lion?...

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So strength and power are characteristics. Is that not a description of our Lord also? He is all powerful, and NOT afraid of anything. Why would He be? He made everything right...... He can destroy it too.

How about dangerous and ferocious, terrifying?

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Psalm 7:2 - Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces....

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Sounds dangerous to me. Ferocious and terrifying. And yet comforting.

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Amos 3:8 - The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

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The Lord hath spoken, who can but prophesy?.... who can change God's commands? And who dare not fear His roar? But, He is my brave and mighty Hero (as a lion is brave and mighty.) The lion (The Lord) is courageous, bold, brave, valiant and protective. He doesn't run..... He has the heart of a lion.... He's wild at heart..... He won't back down..... NEVER tame, but always loving!

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Isaiah 31:4 - For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called for against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

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The Lord will fight for you like a protective lion over his cubs. In all His (lion's) majesty, royalty and beauty. And yet save you gently as a lion with his cubs and carry you to safety.

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How about over turning those tables in the synagogue and confronting the "hypocrites" and "den of vipers."

And the lion is valiant.

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2 Samuel 17:10 - And he also that is valiant, whose heart is as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father is a mighty man, and they which be with him are valiant men.

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Sounds to me like the lion, the Lion of Judah, is a fitting animal for my Lord and Savior. And as the mane is the glory of a lion, I can't help but imagine the glory of God shining bright out from around his face (like a mane... no?)

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Let us not de-claw our Savior.

The King & His Four Wives

The King & His Four Wives

Read This Carefully, very powerful thoughts sent to me. Just passing it on.

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Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

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He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

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The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

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One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone." Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

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"No way!" replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word.

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Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

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"No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

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He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"

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"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

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Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was so skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

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Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!

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"In truth, we all have 4 wives in our lives: Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

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And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.

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Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

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When the world pushes you to your knees..... You're in the perfect position to pray.

Simplify Your Life

This is just a quick thought I had today....

Simplicity and contentment.

I was Christmas shopping Tuesday night with a family member. They asked me if there was anything that I "really" wanted. Not just little things that would be nice, like maybe a CD or something, but something I "really" wanted.
"No, nothing," I said
"Me either," they said.

It stinks being content doesn't it! (sarcasm.... just incase it wasn't clear)
And something that is often overlooked at Christmas is simplicity. Not getting caught up in everything, remembering Christ's birth, and just living in contentment.

I also reflected then on the things in my life that I like to do.
The things that are "not so bad" or however YOU justify it.
BUT, what's "not so bad".....also..... is "not so good." They keep us from fully living for and about Christ. So, simplify your life. Give up those things that occupy your life/time that are "not so bad."

Five ways to be happier:
1. Free your mind from worries
2. Free your heart from hate
3. Live simply
4. Give more
5. Expect less

I love you all