Our Tongue - A potentially lethal, damaging, hurtful weapon aimed directly at the Heart.....

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph. 4:29,31,32). Post settings
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, (Philippians 2:14)
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:10-12).
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:22-26).

Conversations, discussions (even heated) devolve into arguments when one or both parties are convinced they are not being heard or their position/view point is being discounted or disregarded. I wonder if people who grumble, complain, or say things under their breath during a disagreement, argument, or heated discussion really think or feel that they are accomplishing anything or benefiting anyone involved? I believe we should always maintain eye-contact with anyone we are in a discussion with. We should do this in order to show them respect and consideration and because I believe we expect and hope to receive this from people that we are having disagreement with. Conversations escalate into arguments that become progressively verbally and sometimes physically abusive due to poor communication habits. We would save ourselves a lot of grief and emotional and sometimes physical harm if we learned how to argue a position, share our feelings, or explain our needs and concerns in a productive manner. Here are just a few points that I have learned and attempt (though not perfectly) to practice. As stated before, we should “never” lose eye-contact with the person that we are trying to share something with or having a disagreement with. You should never say anything about the situation, unless the other person can clearly hear you. Stop saying things under your breath, or having person conversations with yourself (grumbling, venting) that can be heard by the person that you are having a dis-agreement or issue with. This isn’t helpful and very counter-productive. All of these points should be made face-to-face in a respectful manner and tone with the purpose of being heard and understood. There is no chance of the situation getting better if the person you are having an issue with isn’t aware of your position nor given the opportunity to understand why you are not pleased or having difficulty with the current situation. Also, it is extremely counterproductive if both parties are attempting to share, express, vent, defend, etc. at the same time. This becomes a screaming match that grows louder and louder until one or both parties result to verbal insults, exaggerations of the situations – with statements like “you always…, you never, you make me…, I wish you would…If you don’t… if you keep this up…” or make physical threats and sometimes carry them out. All of this could be avoided if we all decided to actually practice better communication skills. We have learned two essentials – never lose eye-contact and if you notice you are both speaking at the same time, stop and let the other party know that you will let them speak so you can hear them out (this is essential..be the bigger person if you truly desire and want to improve the current situation). Listen to the other party explain their position or view point, ONLY ask questions if clarification of their position is needed. You should Never, attempt to correct, be-little, disregard/discount the person’s position or become defensive, or attempt to share your position until you fully understand the other person’s position. Once you feel you have understood their position, restate it back to them. If further clarification is needed work through this with them until both of you know and understand this position. After the other parties position is understood by both parties, validate this position and let the person know that you can understand how they would feel the way that they do or believe the way that they do based on their perception of the situation. However, they do not have all the facts until they listen to your position, hear you out (making concessions for clarification only… basically giving you the same courtesy and respect that you expressed to them). Most important is eventually being able to verbalize your position and offering empathy and understanding. Once both positions are clearly understood, the goal should be to come up with a compromise where both parties make concessions with the goal of coming up with a win-win action plan. This is going to require both parties to be willing to change something about themselves or the way they say or do things. It will most likely require some sacrifice of time, effort, etc. (this will be well worth it for both parties). If this cannot be achieved, time should be allowed for each person to reflect on the situation (if applicable) alone and you should both agree to revisit this situation at a later date. But for now agree to dis-continue this disagreement and not mention it until the agreed upon date. If the situation won’t allow for this, both parties should seek the counsel/mediation of a mutually respected friend, mentor (who is impartial and experienced in settling disagreements, misunderstandings, etc. between people). This approach will be much more productive than what is usually practiced by people who have issues with one another or a disagreement about a certain situation or circumstance. This approach will also prevent a lot of unnecessary, hurtful and damaging (often irreparable/irrevocable) words, threats, or abuse (even physical). We should always strive to put these positive communication skills in practice at all times in all situations and for all people. To recap, 1) Never lose eye-contact (face-to-face) 2) Don’t speak about the situation in the presence of the other party unless you want what you are saying to be heard by them 3) Never speak at the same time with the person you are having the disagreement with, let them speak first and try to hear them out, understand what they stay, and know why they are saying it 4) Ask them to give you the same respect and consideration 5) Never attempt to make the situation better until both positions are clearly understood by both parties 6) Attempt to resolve without a third party 7) take time for reflection and clarity, agree to revisit at a later date if necessary and applicable 8) Seek guidance from a mutually respected, impartial, experienced, mentor and friend. Have a Great Day and lets strive to NOT resort to hurtful words or actions when having a disagreement with people. Of course, some people will not be willing to put these suggestions into practice and they will continue experiencing the negative and damaging effects of arguing or tryint to get their point across using poor ineffective communication habits. Not much I can do for them... but for those who have ears to hear....Grace, Love, and Peace to you all. Make it a GREAT Day!!!

The Wrath of God directed towards Sin not Mankind

Romans 1: 18-22

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

As you review the Old testament in the Bible, this is definitely evident. …

The Israelites needed to 1) Recognize that God is who He says He is and is able to do what He says He will do, 2) Realize He that He desires to have a relationship with them as their provider and protector and 3) Remember what He had done and provided for them in the past and 4) Rect on these things when they are faced with new situations or circumstances that could cause them to worry, fear or doubt the outcome. It is apparent that Israelites did fear the worst instead of remembering and reflecting on what God had done for them in the past. We can see this based on their comment “you have brought us out in this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” This statement was directed towards Moses and not God, but the Israelites appears to have forgotten all about what God had done for them up til then.

The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

How could they come up with this thought? It doesn't even make any sense. Would God have done all of the miraculous actions and events to lead the Israelites into the dessert and just allow them to starve without providing for them? Perhaps they felt this way out of frustration when they didn't see any way that they could be provided for in the wilderness. It appears that God wanted them to learn to depend on Him for their daily provisions and not look to any other source. He also wanted them to realize that He could be depended upon to provide them protection and provision. They forgot all about God and what He had previously done for them and provided for them, they only blamed and accused Moses and Aaron for their current predicament.

Also, it is interesting that the grumbling and complaining came after God had delivered the Israelites from the pursuit of the Egyptians who would have put them all to death had it not been for God's miraculous deliverance of them out of Egypt and judgment of the Egyptians. When they recounted their experiences in Egypt, they only reflected on the positive aspects of their captivity and not the negative aspects. It appears they felt better off in Egypt as opposed to the dessert based on the fact that they at least had food in Egypt. But instead of grumbling and complaining to Moses and Aaron, why didn't they just make their request know to them so that Moses and Aaron could present their request to God who loved them, cared for them and desired to protect and provide for them as was clearly shown based on His actions up til then. It is also interesting that while in Egypt the Israelites had prayed for God to deliver them out of Egypt and didn't understand why their prayers fell on death ears. At that time they weren't thinking about all the benefits of being in Egypt, only the negative and undesirable aspects of their experiences in Egypt. This is typical of human experience. We ask God to do something for us or bring a certain thing to past in our lives, but when he actually grants our request, we complain and grumble about it because it didn't turn out as we had expected. I believe a lot of our requests to God go “unanswered” for this reason, and we should be grateful that He spares us a lot of the pain and difficulty that would have resulted had He granted our request. However, sometimes He allows us to go through certain things for our own good and so we can learn to depend on Him regardless of our present circumstances or situation.

4 Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

Even though the Israelites did not specifically ask God for provision, but grumbled and complained against and accused Aaron and Moses, God decided to provide for them and also test them to see if they would obey Him (follow His instructions), their God, protector, & provider and follow His instructions. God informed Moses that he would provide food for the Israelites in the form of “bread from heaven”, but gave specific instructions of how to gather it and when to gather it.

6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” 8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.”

It appears that the Israelites believed that they were grumbling and complaining against Aaron and Moses as if they had some say in the plans and decisions of God. They let them know that if they grumbled and complained it was not against them, but God. God had brought them where they were with what they had not Aaron or Moses. They were just as much servants of God as all the rest of the Israelites. God had only decided to use them to speak for Him to the Israelites and also speak to God on behalf of the Israelites. God wanted to give them undeniable and unquestionable evidence that it was He, the living God that they grumbled and complained against and He desired to make Himself known to them by providing them meat in the evening and bread in the morning through miraculous means that only He could bring to past. God wanted the Israelites to know that He had heard their grumbling and complaining and would respond in a way that they would not be able to doubt or question that he was real, willing and able to provide for them, and would do so in a way that only He could bring to past. The gathering of quail in the evening though highly unusual and unlikely could be explained by natural means. The raining down of an unusual substance that only appeared in the morning and prevented them from storing more than specified, should have increased their faith and trust in God. Also, God had instructed them to gather twice as much on the sixth day of the week so they would have enough to eat on the seventh day without having to gather because this was to be a day of rest and they were instructed by God not to work.

9 Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’”
10 While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.
11 The LORD said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’”

As stated, above God wanted to provide evidence to the Israelites that He really and truly was the One true God, their Lord and the Lord of all. He manifested His glory in the cloud, he provided them quail and informed them that they would have bread in the morning. These acts should have been enough to convince the Israelites that God could be trusted to provide for them in their time of need.

13 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. 14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. 15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.
Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer[a] for each person you have in your tent.’”
17 The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. 18 And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.
19 Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.”
20 However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

Even though God had provided for the Israelites and gave them specific instructions through Moses, some of the Israelites still chose to disregard the instructions of Moses and do as they pleased. God wanted the Israelites to accept Moses and Aaron as His mouth piece. If Moses or Aaron had instructed them to do something they should have realized that these instructions originated from God and should have been obeyed. They were not disregarding what Moses had said, but were disobeying what God had instructed them to do.

21 Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers[b] for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He said to them, “This is what the LORD commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’”

24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the LORD. You will not find any of it on the ground today. 26 Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”
27 Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. 28 Then the LORD said to Moses, “How long will you[c] refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? 29 Bear in mind that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

The lord had to restate his instructions to the Israelites because initially they ignored them. After he restated his commandments and instructions, the Israelites followed them. The Israelites were instructed to gather a double portion of manna on the 6th day of the week and rest on the 7th day. These two instructions were ignored by some of the Israelites even though God had instructed them to obey. Some Israelites attempted to store the manna for the next day and some Israelites attempted to gather manna on the Sabbath even though God himself had instructed them not to do so. God did not immediately judge them for their disobedience however, they were not able to enjoy any of the extra manna they attempted to store and there was no manna to gather on the Sabbath. One would ask, did the Israelites really understand that God had provided for them and realize that they were disobeying him when they attempted to gather additional manna or gather at a time they were instructed not to. Didn't they fear God or have any resolve to obey him? Amazingly God's grace and mercy allowed them to enjoy the quail and manna even though they disobeyed him. It is important to point out that some did obey Him and follow His instructions. God more than likely would have provided the quail and manna to the Isrealites without their grumbling. They only needed to ask/request his provision and He would have graciously and loving heard their cries and provided for them. We could learn a lot by observing the Israelites... We should always obey God and follow His instructions. This is the best way to ensure that we receive only the best that God has for us.

I am not sure what would have happened had the Israelites not complied with God's instructions, but glad to know that we don't have to consider this scenario. A lot of times we also fail to heed the instructions of God initially. We know that our actions do not please Him, but continue to do that which is against and contrary to His will for us. He uses people, circumstances, and situations to convince and encourage us to act in a way that is pleasing to Him and cease to do those things that do not correspond to how children of the living God should act.

31 The people of Israel called the bread manna.[d] It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’” The Israelites ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.”

------God wanted the Israelites to share this event with future Israelites and preserve an omer of the manna to validate that the event did actually occur. It appears that God knew that the future Israelites would have difficulty believing that the event actually did take place so the preserved omer of manna would give undeniable proof.
So God through his actions, instructions, and consequences of disobedience wanted the Israelites to recognize He is who He is and never doubt this. Also, He wanted them to realize that He is always willing and able to provide for them and protect them because He care for them and desired the very best for them. In addition, He wanted them to remember and reflect on His past actions when they were confronted with worry, fear, doubt, concern, etc. that He is able to protect and/or provide for them in any situation or circumstances that they might face, experience or have to endure. We should also know this based on all the many trials and tribulations that God has successfully brought us through. Even though it may seem like He doesn't care, or isn't providing for or protecting us when we are dealing with certain circumstance and situations, we should know that based on past victories that God is willing and able to do and bring to past for us what is best for us and what will ensure that we become all that God desires us to be. He only desires the very best for us and ONLY does, allows, and provides those things to ensure that we grow and mature in our Christianity so that we might serve as examples to others to encourage them to maintain their faith and trust in God when they are faced with challenging, difficult situations and circumstance. All things according to His will and timing. We should realize that God's ways and timing is the very best and we should always know that He is in complete control when we feel that He isn't and doesn't care about our current situations or seeing us through them.

The Unfairness of Life?

“ That's not FAIR”, “Life isn't FAIR”....

Have you ever heard someone say these phrases? I really don't think people realize what they are saying when they utter these phrases. It appears that some people feel like their lives should go a certain way and if not, then that isn't fair. How can we assume that we can have a certain life free of certain disasters, tragedies, difficulties, etc.? The only way this could be possible is to limit everyone free will and freedom to choose to participate or not to participate in certain activities, situation and circumstances that may or may not be detrimental to their lives and the lives of others. It is of course true that our negative, sinful choices have a tendency of reducing the quality of life of others and also our own life. We want the right to do what ever we want, when ever we want, where ever we want, for as long as we want regardless of how these actions, conducts, behavior, decisions affect our lives or the lives of others. However it appears that we are not willing to accept that everyone else should have the same freedom. We want to limit their freedom if it means that suffer or experience detriment as a result. How can God ensure anyone any particular life free of certain unwanted experiences or circumstances in light of these freedoms that feel we are entitled to? All negative experiences that we experience is due to our own or someone's negligence, ignorance, or willful decisions, behaviors, and habits. How can we say life isn't FAIR in light of this fact? Of course some would say that if they contracted a fatal disease or medical condition, that would not be fair as far as they are concerned, but no one is guaranteed any particular quality or condition in life. We have to make the best out the life they we have regardless of what we have experienced in the past or will experience in the future. We should make the best out of difficult, challenging, undesirable, or detrimental situations and circumstances that we my face or have faced in the past. After all any of these experiences could be much worse. Here are (2) scenarios to consider which could shed some light of the belief that “Life isn't fair” or that it is “unfair that certain things happen to us or we have to experience or endure. Let's say that you are given the ability to determine before hand what you will experience in your life from the time that you become self-aware til your death. You could determine your family, social status, financial status, health condition, experiences both good and bad, etc (I wonder if given this option would anybody include negative, detrimental, challenging, difficult experiences in the life that the create for themselves). Anyway, if you so wish, you could decide that your life would not include any negative or undesirable experiences and circumstances... that only good and positive things would be included. Anyway, you decided... what ever you want, however you want it, with who ever you want it, for as long as you wanted. You decide. In this scenario you could never say something was “unfair” because you have decided how your life will be lived til you die. There is one catch to this scenario, since you have decided your life apart from how God would want you to live it, you would forfeit any eternal existence with Him after death. In other words you would die and experience a “Godless” eternity. Not only would God not be included in your life after death, but no quality of God would be experienced either. No love, grace, mercy, peace, comfort, fellowship, hope, conversation, etc. Basically you would experience “HELL” in every since of the word after you die. If this life were possible would you still think that the ability to determine your life on the earth would be worth spending an eternity apart from God? Now let's consider the second scenario. Let's say that God has determined the life that you will live prior to your birth. All the experiences both good and bad, who will be a part of your life (& for how long), etc. until you die. Regardless of what you experiences or didn't experience, since God knows best ultimately you would spend all eternity with Him enjoying All that He is and All that He has after death. Basically you would experience “HEAVEN” in every since of the word after you die. If this was possible, would you forfeit the ability to choose how to live your own life and submit to God's wise direction and guidance knowing that you would ultimately experience all eternity with Him in heaven?
Of course God knows what is best for us. God has the ability to be with us and offer us comfort, strength, grace, wisdom, etc. to go through certain experiences and circumstances that we would not want to experience if given the choice. Is it unfair for God to allow us to experience certain circumstances and situations that may be difficult, challenging, detrimental, etc.? The only reason He allows these things is to make us better people, demonstrate that his Grace is sufficient to see us through these things, and to ensure that we will be with him for all eternity. God's ultimate desire is to do what ever it takes to ensure as many of us as possible will experience eternity with Him after death.
How could we ever say that life or some experience or circumstance that we may experience is “unfair” if this ultimately ensures our eternal presence with God after death?

I am sure that most people would choose to suffer a little while and then experience no suffering for all eternity instead of choosing to not suffer a little while and experience ultimate suffering for all eternity.

When we choose to live our lives a certain way apart from any direction or guidance from God, we may experience more positive, pleasurable, desirable, enjoyable circumstances and experiences, but we will experience things that aren't so enjoyable, however none of this matters if we ultimately forfeit our lives for all eternity.

We should humbly submit our lives to the guidance and direction of God who is All-knowing, All-loving, All-powerful and is solely capable of ensuring our eternal destiny instead of attempting to lead our own lives.

If we decide to live our own lives apart from any guidance and direction from GOD, the benefits will be little and temporary, but the consequences will be detrimental and eternal.

Something to think about next time your are tempting to say life or something that you experience or are faced with is "unfair".....

For what is the hope of the godless and polluted, even though he has gained [in this world], when God cuts him off and takes away his life? Job 27:8, Amplified Bible

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life [his blessed life in the kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] life [in the kingdom of God]? Matthew 16:26, Amplified Bible

We are assured and know that God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28, Amplified Bible
For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], 2 Corinthians 4:17, Amplified Bible
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 1 Corinthians 10:13, Amplified Bible
May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).
By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.
2 Peter 1:2-4, Amplified Bible

Interesting WORD Picture...read on....

Picture this, if you will- you are on a luxury cruise (destination, location not important). The weather is beautiful. Everyone is having a good time. You are eating the best food and enjoying the best drinks lounging on the deck or in the pool, etc. watching a feature film on the jumbo HD, surround sound screen with friends new and old and all of sudden the screen goes black, the sound is muted and an overhead voice reads the following words as they scroll across the screen – “Attention, in the event of disaster, tragedy or emergency there are rescue boats available along the entire deck that can be used to exit the vessel…”. While this message is being read, several passengers become annoyed and start screaming, “put the movie back on!!”, “this is ridiculous!!”, “come on.. enough already!!”, “Play the movie!!!”, etc. The notice continues with the best exit routes that will lead to the boats and then thanks the passengers for their patience and apologizes for the inconvenience and then returns back to the feature film. Everyone claps and shouts “Yay!!”, “bout time!”, “…geez!” and continues to enjoy the feature film. Very few people were even paying attention to the safety precaution that was read to them. After all what could possibly go wrong on such a beautiful day? They were confident in their safety and security and didn’t feel the need to pay attention during the precautionary message. They were thinking instead about wanting to see the rest of the featured film and enjoying their food, drink, and company. However, if over the loud speaker and on the movie screen the following statement was read and displayed “Attention, a dangerous and toxic gas leak has occurred in the engine room and all passengers need to escape the vessel in an orderly manner. There are boats available along the perimeter of each deck. There are enough boats and enough time for us all to exit the cruise ship before the gas reaches our deck. Please follow the designated path to the boat nearest you….” I am pretty sure no one would care about the next scene in the featured film or the tasty food, or the great conversations they were having. Their only concern would be to ensure that all of their loved ones and friends got a place on one of the boats. Also, I am pretty sure that even though they had been informed that there was enough time and enough boats, more than likely pandemonium, panic, and hysteria would soon ensue. It is amazing how easy it is for us to believe that we are safe and secure with very little chance of experiencing any disaster, emergencies, or tragedies. We rarely take precautions or plan ahead because of this. It would behoove us all if we took heed to the voice of God available from words in the bible, “For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [[a]not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character]…. namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory [b]which God bestows and receives”. (Rom. 3-20,22-23); “He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation]; but he who does not believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ's name.]” (John 3:18); While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die. But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us. Therefore, since we are now justified ([f]acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin's dominion) through His [[g]resurrection] life. Not only so, but we also rejoice and exultingly glory in God [in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received and enjoy [our] reconciliation. Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [[h]no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned” (Rom. 5:6-12); “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). You can choose to heed these warnings and information or continue to lull yourself in a (false) sense of being safe and secure even though – “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mathew 10:28); and finally “And just as it is appointed for [all] men once to die, and after that the [certain] judgment,” (Hebrew 9:27).
Or you can ignore his warning and continue living your life and hope for the best…
It’s your choice. If you have already heeded the word of God, please share with others.
Thanks for your time and God’s richest blessings, grace, & peace 2 u and yours in all your future endeavors.

No such thing as "Luck"... so why say "Good Luck" (Anymore) somthing to think about...

Has anyone ever shared with you something they were about to go through, experience, participate in, or perform and your knee jerk response was “Good Luck”? What does this phrase “really” mean? What is “luck”? Also, why do we add the qualifying adjective “good” to it? We say this as if there is something called “luck” that could actually sway the outcome of our experience. Perhaps we are saying that outcomes are a result of chance and that you have a 50-50 “chance” for things to go in your favor and they are hoping that by chance the outcome will be good. The fact is, “Luck” really doesn’t exist and whether you respond to person, “Good Luck”, “Bad Luck”, “Luck” or “No Luck” has NO bearing at all on the outcome of any pending circumstance or experience they will experience. With this in mind, I am not sure why most people continue to say “Good Luck” in these situations or circumstances. Also, I am not sure why some people believe that they will benefit from someone wishing them “luck” or “good luck”. The truth is that God is sovereign over the outcome of all, any, and every circumstance or situation that we experience. It is in accordance to HIS (and HIS ALONE) sovereign, divine will for our lives. Think about it, can two forces be both sovereign? This could never be. Only one being can be sovereign over all or no being is sovereign over all. If no being is sovereign over all, then we would only have “chance” or “luck” to consider. However, the Bible clearly states in James 1:16 & 17, “Do not be misled, my beloved brethren. Do not be misled, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect ([d]free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].”. This should be an encouraging passage of scripture to us all. To actually know that God loves us, cares for us, has a plan for us and that we are not living, experiencing, encountering, enduring, participating, etc. in things simply out of chance and the results of all of encounters also are “chance” outcomes with no real purpose or meaning. An interesting story from the Old Testament should be considered to shed further light on this topic. In the Old Testament Book of I Samuel 6: 1-12, Basically, the Ark of the Covenant had been captured by the Philistines who were experiencing the wrath of God through plagues via an infestation of rats and disease that had come upon the city. The philistines had decided to return the ark in hopes that the plagues would subside…
When the ark of the LORD had been in Philistine territory seven months, the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.” They answered, “If you return the ark of the god of Israel, do not send it back to him without a gift; by all means send a guilt offering to him. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted from you.” The Philistines asked, “What guilt offering should we send to him?” They replied, “Five gold tumors and five gold rats, according to the number of the Philistine rulers, because the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. Make models of the tumors and of the rats that are destroying the country, and give glory to Israel’s god. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you and your gods and your land. Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When Israel’s god dealt harshly with them, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way? “Now then, get a new cart ready, with two cows that have calved and have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the LORD and put it on the cart, and in a chest beside it put the gold objects you are sending back to him as a guilt offering. Send it on its way, 9 but keep watching it. If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the LORD has brought this great disaster on us. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us but that it happened to us by chance.” So they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. They placed the ark of the LORD on the cart and along with it the chest containing the gold rats and the models of the tumors. Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. The rulers of the Philistines followed them as far as the border of Beth Shemesh. 
Even back then, people were attempting to prove that there was such a thing as “chance” or in modern language “luck”. Which meant that there was no One/thing behind or directing things that happen in our life. They just happen for no rhyme or reason, purpose or point. We can only hope that the odds weigh in our favor or positively on our behalf. Hopefully, if people wish and hope this for us, that somehow the random outcome could be swayed towards our benefit. We have no way of swaying a random outcome, that just happens. Our response of “Good Luck” doesn’t attribute anything to a person. We have established that there is no such thing as “chance” or “luck”. God is sovereign over all outcomes. I would love to start a movement for all people to respond in these situations, “Blessed Success” as opposed to “Good Luck”. “Blessed Success” gives credit to whom and only whom credit is due, God. He and only He is the “real” key and source of our success. His gracious gifts and talents bestowed upon us enables us to be successful or have a positive outcomes from the various experiences, circumstances, situations, encounters, predicaments, tests, etc. that we are involved with in our life time. He and only He should be acknowledged. When we say “Blessed Success” this is sort of a prayer for us on behalf of the person and in accordance to the sovereign will of God. We are saying in these two words, that we hope that you find success in your pending endeavor and we hope that this success is Blessed in accordance with the sovereign will, purpose, plan that God has for your life. Hopefully, you will join me in this movement. From now on instead of responding “Good Luck” in the future, join me in responding “Blessed Success” instead. Thanks for your time. God's richest Blessings, Grace & Favor in all your present and future endeavors.

The Complete, Perfect, Eternal - Word of God

Just watched "Books Banned from the Bible" on the history channel. the biblical scholars, and college professor interviewed believes that writings of individuals during the era of Christ, the appstles, and contemporaries with equal value and credibility were banned from the bible by the group of individuals who decided what would and would not be included in the "Cannon" of scripture. This is a very interesting position because they are apparently saying that some of the message that God wanted to share with the world may have been missed because of the decision of these individuals. We may not even have whaat God wished to realy based on the books included in our curent Bible. I really don't believe this is true because I am sure God would never rely on mere sinful man to ensure that his message with reach the ears and hearts of people all over the world. If part of his message has escaped us then it is completely up to Him to feel these gaps. It is amazing how most people love to be in a "state of gray" when it comes to truth. Most people don't believe in Hell, but can't be too sure that it doesn't exist. Most people don't believe in an afterlife in heaven based on faith in the finished work of Christ, but aren't sure what happens after death. Most people believe if they live a fairly good, moral, ethical life (they have done more good than bad) that they will escape Hell, but they aren't entirely sure that this is the case, but reallyaren' too concerned with this regardless of the facts. They are willing to just "wait and see" after they die. None of these facts come to any surprise for me... I thought exactly as they prior to taking the Bible seriously and reading it for myself. Not only reading it, though.... studying it and learning the TRUTH of the scripture and not just taking anyone's word, alone. I encourage all lto do the same and not choose contentment in a "state of gray" - no absolute truth or lies, just personal opinions, tolerance, questions, considerations, etc. No one feels they have the right to say what is and what is not true because no one really knows and so they would rather choose tolerance and not offend anyone. The appostles, and even Jesus Christ did offend many, but not because they were saying things that didn't need to be stated. They were showing the most important information of all time, but offended many for proclaiming it. Christians experience the same today, but we must proclaim the truth and help people move out of this VERY dangerous - "state of gray" and come into the light of the TRUTH!!! As the bible clearly states in 2 Timothy 3:16 - 16 Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),

This is Truth!! God and God alone is responsible for the completeness and correctness of the message that He wishes to convey to the world. You cann rest assured He has done an Excellent Job! He has conveyed to all through scripture how much he Hates Sin and will no tolerate it in His presence. He has made it clear that or sinfulness seperates us from Himself and a pursuit of moral, ethical, good living doesn nothing for our sinful heart condition. He is informed of us of our desperate need for a Savior to escape the fate of our enemy the Devl. Hell afterall was created for Satan and his angels who rebelled against God and chose to follow their own ways instead of submitting to His will. Apart from Faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and Believe in His resurrection and offer of abundant FREE life, we will share the same fate of Satan and His Angels. Righteousness CANNOT be eanred it can only be "imputed" based on faith when it comes to requirement for salvation - access to the presence of Holy God. People trying to live moral ethichal lives is like buying a new suit to hide dirt and filth instead of taking a bath. We need to be cleansed on the inside (our despreately wicked hearts) and not on the outside!!! Sin condemns, Faith gives life....

Choose Faith in Christ while you can because you aren' promised tomorrow and you could Suddenly find youself in the presence of God. Hopefully you will be covered by the acts of Son when this happens, because no works on your part will benefit you at that time.

Divorce Sucks!!! A non-Christian's Perspective...

Interesting article I came across written in the Huffington Post regarding Divorce. If you or anyone you know are consider this as a solution to your current situation, read this article and consider what is being said. I wonder if either party going through or considedring going through a divorce knew that their situation would not change for the better and in fact would become worse, would they still go through with the divorce? Here are the top 7~ reasons why "divorce sucks" in her opinion. She believers (from personal experience) that divorce is not the answer and an alternative solution should be considerd. Seriously consider what she is saying

1. All men suck...
...and all men are great. All men are annoying. And all men put the toilet seat down every time. All men are needy. And all men live to make you happy. All men are demanding. And all men are easy. (Well, actually, all men are easy, especially those in politics, but that's a whole other subject.)

All men are cheap. And all men love shopping at the Tiffany's counter. All men keep you guessing. And all men check in several times a day, just because. All men hog the covers. And all men tuck you in at night. All men are dull. And all men will whisk you off to Napa on a moment's notice.
All men are mama's boys. And all men are fighter pilots. All men are complicated. And all men have basic needs, like ESPN in HD.

Do you get what I'm saying, here? Men are human. Weird, I know.

Basically, if you hate your spouse and get divorced, you will be trading him in for a similar model, only in chinos. If you're lucky.

2. Raising kids on your own sucks...
...but this doesn't mean you want to raise them with someone new.

Divorce with children is -- mathematically speaking -- 180 million times worse than divorce without children. I'm sure there's a New York Times study to back me up on this.

Kids are not better off with divorced parents. (Hi, angry tweets from ecstatically divorced parents!) Psychologist Judith Wallerstein conducted a 25-year study on the effects of divorce on the children involved; her book chronicling her findings is more frightening than any TV commercial advertising an Anthony Hopkins movie. If I really don't want to sleep at night, I'll reread her statistics. For example, children of divorce are more likely than children from intact families to drop out of school, suffer drug and alcohol problems, require psychotherapy, and get divorced themselves.

Recently, there was a new study in The American Sociological Review that showed children of divorce lag in math scores and social skills. For years.

Insomnia, much?

My observations of children of divorce, including my own, are simple. Divorce makes your kids' life harder. Would you want to go to a different home every few days because it suits someone else's schedule? Would you like to remember at which house you left your wallet, your laptop, your workout bag, your briefcase? How about sleep in a different bed, use a different toothbrush, get used to the new person in the kitchen and the master bedroom? Your kids have to remember textbooks, notebooks, backpacks, favorite t-shirts, socks, Vans, homework, football helmet, cleats... No wonder these kids are more anxious.

On top of that, they have to do science reports in first grade, master algebra in fifth. Everything's gotten harder. I've volunteered in my sons' classes, and I hate to say it, but I can tell which children have parents who are divorced. Admitting this brings me no pleasure, and a great deal of pain.

A friend of mine, a divorced mother, told me that her son was depressed about the new woman in his dad's life. "I'm afraid I'm going to forget our Christmases, Mom," he told her, "Someday, will it be like they never happened?"

Consistency is key to a happy, healthy childhood. Guess what's inconsistent? Living with divorce.

3. The money sucks.
Financially speaking, both men and women are better off staying married. Post-divorce, the higher wage-earner typically pays alimony and child support. The lower wage-earner typically endures a lower standard of living.

Fighting over money turns people into the worst versions of themselves. This is true whether you're divorced or married. Throw divorce lawyers into the mix and you have a recipe for bankruptcy, both financial and moral.

I've found that in dating, men are expensive -- probably as expensive as women. I know many divorced women who've lent money to their boyfriends or bought them expensive gifts. No longer do men feel remiss in accepting, and in some cases, demanding money, clothes, cars, trinkets. Hey, we wanted men to be more like us, right? We've turned men into luxury items.

The only good thing to come out of this recession is that fewer people are getting divorced. Why? They can't afford to.

4. Raising other people's kids suck...
...because you're also raising not only their issues, but their parents' issues. That's a f-ckload of issues, to put it in psychological terms. If you get divorced, it's likely you're going to be dating other divorced people -- and guess what, they come with the same thing you have -- ex-and-kid baggage. Hey, I love kids, I've raised or helped raise enough of them, going back over two decades -- but being a stepparent, or even a stepfriend -- is not for the faint of heart. Parents get bent out of shape when another adult comes into the picture, no matter how good their intentions. I've got the restraining order to prove it.

Fitting the pieces together with others after a divorce is a constant struggle, whether you're talking about old exes, new marriages, or the children from either. I've talked and talked to women and men desperately trying to figure out how and when and with whom to start again. And why? Why put yourself through the drama? How do you fit the puzzle pieces together when one of the pieces is a hormonal pre-teen, another is a borderline personality ex bent on destroying everything in her path, including her own child, and a third is the dog who growls every time you enter the room.

This is not the most romantic scenario.

Bottom line: You may care as much for your significant other's children as they do, but you are not their parent.

5. Dating sucks (after the first three months); your ex dating sucks and never stops sucking.
Look at your date. Does his slightly wheezy laugh grate on your nerves? What about the fact that he just called his ex-wife a b-tch? Or, better yet, a c-nt? Charmed yet? Do you like a backwards baseball cap and baggy jeans on a forty-year-old? No? Guess how much you're going to like it in twenty years? Just. As. Much.

Every little quirk that you find the slightest bit irritating in your dining partner is guaranteed to become the central core of his personality as the years pile on. Good luck with that.

Speaking of dating. Dates will shock you -- shock you -- with what they believe is normal behavior. When a dinner date feels like a scene from Hangover 2, you know you're in trouble.

Internet dating now seems like a safe, time-tested way to get to know people -- until you read about the film executive who was the victim of a sexual attack by a man she met on Match.Com. Craigslist is just another name for potential date rape; to a single mother, nothing is scarier than craigslist.

Which brings me to another point: sex. Living with children is like living with parents. Except you're not a teenager, trying to sneak one over on Mom and Dad. You are the sole member of the household responsible for the health and well-being of your children. And your kids don't want you to date. They don't want you to bring home someone new. Even if they like the new guy or girl, they don't want to appear to be choosing sides against their other biological parent.

When you do go out with someone (after the kids go to bed), you size them up not only against your standards, but the standards of your children. You're not the only one going out on that date -- your seven-year-old is right there with you, with his toothy grin. Your fourteen-year-old is scowling in the background. Your stoic ten-year-old has tears welling up in his eyes.

Frankly, other than superficial dating far away from your kids' eyes and ears, E.S.P. might be the only thing that makes sense for the single parent.

Yes, your happiness is important, but the moment you gave birth, your happiness took a backseat to that squalling bundle of joy. You're not a teenager anymore. It's not about you. Your self-actualization and self-esteem needs to move over and make some mac and cheese.

Keep this in mind, as well. Just as time is the only true test of love and marriage -- time is the true test of divorce, as well. Time heals, it clarifies in surprising ways. The old hurts seem more minor, less lacerating. Now you've been hurt anew, and by someone with whom you don't share children or a dog or a name. You've been hurt by someone you barely even know.

6. Bumps in the night suck.
A single mother feels it every day: When the sun goes down, there is no one there to watch your back. I have to be combination nursemaid and Rambo. I have not slept a full night in three years; it's hard to sleep with one eye open and a dog named Peanut the only thing between you and potential threat. A phone call after nine sends chills down my spine. The other night my doorbell rang at 11:30. It was a drunken teenage girl (I'm learning there are no other kind) demanding her purse back. Er, you may not find this frightening if you have a man in the house. I, on the other hand, called the cops, and thought seriously about getting a gun.

It's scary not being married.

7. Synergy sucks...
...when it's gone. Prior to my divorce, an Oscar-winning screenwriter told me to keep in mind that a couple is more than just the sum of two people. Do you get it? Neither did I, but that's probably why I don't have an Oscar. Still, I've thought about what he said a lot since then. He was speaking of synergy, the mutually advantageous conjunction of distinct elements. The two of you have combined to make something that would not otherwise exist. What we are together is greater than what we are apart.

On the other hand (now ring-free), when you divorce, there's you and the divorce.

A marriage is a living thing. A divorce -- while it can go on forever in court, bankrupting you financially, emotionally, mentally and physically -- is not a living thing; it's a death.

Really hard to see that when you're furious at each other, with one foot out the door, your middle finger raised high. Adrenalin loves a dramatic exit.

---
There's that fallback saying people in a break-up often say: "You want to get to know someone? Divorce them". I don't believe it. I think it should be reworded: You want to get to know someone under the most stressful conditions...

On the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, divorce is just a tad less stressful than death of a spouse (presumably, one you liked). People don't behave well under that kind of stress. Money is tight, the kids are upset, in the air is the odor of hatred. The spouse that you loved enough to marry is now a raging dick.

If your husband beat you, verbally abused you more than you verbally abused him, abused drugs, alcohol, or wanted a porn family, then by all means, leave. You're better off. But, in other cases, maybe there's a higher order. Maybe we were actually correct in selecting that person, that spouse, to procreate with.

In the midst of our separation, our family therapist, a cancer survivor in her 60s, who'd been practicing for many years, gave me sage advice, which I was too angry or blind to accept. "Wait until the kids are launched," she told me. "Who knows? You may even find yourself in love again, with your husband."

I chose not to take it. A big part of me wishes I had.

King Jesus' Kingdom is NOT of this World... YET

Jesus answered, “My kingdom belongs not to this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My followers would have been fighting to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, My kingdom is not from here (this world)”
or 37 Pilate said to Him, “Then You are a King?” Jesus answered, “You say it! [You speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is Truth?”

What a great question. Pilate didn't say “What is true for you is true for you and what is true for me is true for me”. NO!!!! He wanted to know what “real” truth, “objective” truth, “actual” truth is. There is a truth that is true regardless of who believes it is true or if if NO one believes it is true. I will give you a very simple example. Let's say that you are a musical instructor tasked with teaching your students musical notes (very trivial, simplistic example, but work with me people). Let's say that the first note that you want to teach is “A” sharp. You press the appropriate key on a the readily available keyboard (in front of you) and a clear, “A” sharp is heard. You then ask your students to repeat the exercise. They do as you instruct them (on keyboards provided to them), but some of the students have mistakenly chosen, “C” sharp instead of “A” sharp, but believe that they have selected the right key on the keyboard. They are obviously wrong in their assumption, nevertheless they insist that they have selected the right key and are not willing to hear the fact that they are wrong (have selected the incorrect key). They are sincere in their believe, but sincerely WRONG!!. Regardless of their intentions, regardless of how many people agree with them, or how strong their believe or conviction that they have chosen the correct key, they are still WRONG!!. In fact, if the entire class selected “C” sharp and insisted that it was “A” sharp, it is clear that an expert who knows the difference between “A” Sharp and “C” Sharp could easily point out their error. But in light of our PC, tolerant, non-judgmental, sensitive to others' feelings, “what's true for you is true for you...” society should we decide to let them continue believing the wrong thing? This is very trivial and there really isn't any significant or severe consequences for them continuing to believe that a “C” Sharp is an “A” sharp (unless you consider the fact that no music will be produced until this error is corrected), but what if the context and subject matter involved a life or death situation.

What if a doctor prescribes a medication that will treat you for a fatal condition in not treated with the correct medication. You don't believe that the prescription will cure you, and have elected to take some other prescription that you heard your neighbor's gardener's daughter's, best friends, distant relative in another part of of the world may have had a successful experience with. For some reason, you elect to take this person's word over the doctors. The doctor insists that the prescription you chose will not help your condition, but you continue to believe that it will and disregard what the doctor says. Knowing that you will die if you don't take the medication that the doctor has prescribes, should your family step-in and regardless of what you believe (sincerely, earnestly), they do what ever it takes to ensure that you do get the correct medication and save your life. Should they have allowed you to continue believing incorrectly so as to spare your feelings, and not appear judgmental, “holier than thou”, insensitive, or intolerant? Good question. Objective truth is the only truth and it doesn't change regardless of who chooses to believe in it or if NO one believes in it. Why is this so difficult to understand and grasp? Why are people content remaining in a nebulous, vague state of grayness and uncertainty – believing there is no Black or White positions in a particular situation or area of concern. “What's true for your is true for you and what's true for me is true for me” Neither one of us is wrong and neither one of us will have to suffer, experience, deal with any adverse or negative results, affects or consequences regardless of how we believe or feel about a particular situation or circumstance. This position was not held by Jesus. He believed that there was objective truth and anyone who chose not to submit to the truth did so at their on peril. He did not say, “You are free to believe in and think what ever you like or wish to be true”. He actually informed us of the truth (objective) and let us know what would happen if we chose to ignore or reject the truth. Take note of what he said after he informed us of the greatest gift, message, words, news that man's ear has ever had the privilege to hear, “For God so Greatly LOVED and dearly prized the World (people of all races, creeds, cultures, orientations, conditions, etc.) that He freely and without hesitation [even] gave up (generously, lovingly, sacrificially) His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him (his miraculous birth, perfect life, false judgment, groundless verdict, actual death, and supernatural , acceptable to God, Glorious Resurrection) shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.”

An AWESOME, truthful statement according to Jesus Christ. He believes that this statement is true and because of his belief, he stated severe consequences for those who chose to reject or ignore this truth. This is obviously the case based on what he went on to say...”

“He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no Damnation]; BUT he who does NOT believe (cleave to, rely on, trust in Him) is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence, is under damnation] because he HAS NOT BELIEVED in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.]
The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil.
For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved.
But he who practices TRUTH [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him].” It is clear that Jesus had a particular position that he believed to be true and if not accepted or adhered to would mean facing severe and eternally detrimental consequences. He NEVER entertained the position that this is his truth and you have the right to believe in your truth even it is different from his truth and suffer no consequences. He believed that his truth was the only truth and ALL need to accept it as truth or accept the consequences of their decision not to.
Paul the Apostle, also reflected the same sentiment when he said this statement to one of the many Churches he wrote letters to (Corinth)...”....Telling the Good News does not give me any reason for bragging. Telling the Good News is my DUTY—something I must do. And how terrible it will be for me if I do not tell the Good News. If I preach because it is my own choice, I have a reward. But if I preach and it is not my choice to do so, I am only doing the duty that was given to me. So what reward do I get? This is my reward: that when I tell the Good News I can offer it freely. I do not use my full rights in my work of preaching the Good News. But now if Christ (the Messiah) is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen; And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to NOTHING] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded).
We are even discovered to be misrepresenting God, for we testified of Him that He raised Christ, Whom He did not raise in case it is TRUE that the dead are NOT raised.
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised;
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is mere delusion [futile, fruitless], and you are still in your sins [under the control and penalty of sin];
And further, those who have died in [spiritual fellowship and union with] Christ have perished (are lost)!
If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.
But the fact is that Christ (the Messiah) has been raised from the dead, and He became the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death].”
Paul is not unwilling to entertain the possibility of being incorrect in his believe that Christ has risen from dead and offers the free gift of salvation to all who believe. He is not afraid of, unwilling to entertain that thought. He is also not deciding to dismiss, disregard, or refuse to hear alternative believes contradictory to his own. He is also willing to accept any consequences, negative results, or adverse affects associated with his beliefs if it turns out they are not true. We should be willing to accept the same with regard to what we have chosen to believe is true. What if we are wrong? Would we want someone to inform us of our error and bring us into the knowledge of the truth? OR would we rather chose to be left alone, not informed of the truth, left to believe a LIE and suffer the consequences, results, conditions, and affects associated with believe in a LIE? Not to mention missing out on the blessings, benefits, privileges, gifts, etc. associated with submitting and conforming to the truth (Objective). Why continue to patronize, and placate people with the dangerous comment “What's true for you is true for you, but may not be true for me”. “You can believe anyway you want and suffer nothing for doing so, because we are both right even though our beliefs are polar opposites”. What a ridiculous position and opinion. Sadly, many people believe this way to their on detriment. Always, strive to know what is TRUE and when you discover it conform to it and never shun, disregard, or fear any other positions, but instead choose to reprove, instruct, inform,correct and help other people know and conform to the truth, also. There is too much to lose, too much at stake, too much to pay if you chose to let these people believe something that is not TRUE regardless of how sincere, earnest, or strong their believe is. What if this person is YOU!!! would you want people to let you continue to believe a LIE and inform you that your incorrect beliefs are “true for you, so there is no harm in continuing in your belief eventhough it is WRONG, INCORRECT & in ERROR and you will suffer tremendously and lose out even more for continuing in this belief. Think about it!! Strive to know truth and settle for nothing less. Know the Truth, The whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. Thanks for your time...feel free to share your comments, or reply back with questions, clarifications, confusion, you may have.

Is God Realy Unfair?

I am sure you have uttered or heard these common phrases - “That’s unfair?”, “why is God allowing this to happen?”, “Why did God remove this (person, thing, experience) from ______ or add that (person, thing, experience_____ into my life?”, “Why didn’t God answer my earnest, sincere, request (prayer)?”. These and other questions have been asked ever since mankind has existed on earth and will continue to be asked as long as mankind is on the earth. These questions amaze me (even though I too am guilty of sharing/feeling these sentiments). I wonder how many people ask themselves –“What is the will of God for my life?” or “What is the will of God in the lives of the people that I love?” or “What is the will of God for the people that I am acquainted with – (have hurt me, benefitted me, hated me, felt hatred from me, have done good or bad to people I know, love, etc.)? What is God’s will for me as opposed to others? Is God’s will different for me than for others? Is God’s will different for those who “love” him as opposed to those who “hate” him?
The fact is that God’s Eternal, Sovereign, Perfect will has been determined prior to the creation of the world and the creation of mankind. God has decreed in accordance with His Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience, Holiness, and Eternal, Righteous, Just, Loving nature - the will for every person that is privileged to be part of mankind from it’s origin (when the first person of mankind breathed his first breath) till the appointed time when the last person of mankind breathes his/her last breath on earth. Can you imagine if God were Omnipotent, but not omniscient? , Holy, but not Eternal? Loving, but not Omnipresent (Ubiquitous)? If God did not possess all of his characteristics from eternity to eternity how could he be defined as a Sovereign Being? Many people believe that God isn’t sovereign -that there are things that he desires to happen, but doesn’t have the ability to cause them to happen or that there are things he would like to prevent but doesn’t have the power to do so. These beliefs are not grounded in Truth but are believed based on personal experiences that occurred (or didn’t occur) in the lives of people.
Imagine for a second that God appeared to you and presented you with a book, The Sovereign Book of Life that describes in specific, exact detail , the lives of every person of mankind from their origin until their end. All the happenings of all the people you know or don’t know, love or hate, are part of your immediate and extended family and of course all of the events, experiences, etc. of your life are also included in this book. What if he allowed you the opportunity to change anything that you saw fit in the lives of strangers, people you know, love, and even events in your own life – would you change anything? Would you add something to this book or remove something from this book - from the lives of anyone including your own? Would you attempt to improve on the Sovereign, Holy, Loving, Eternal plans of God based on his omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence? Do we believe we know more than Him? Are we able to improve His Sovereign plans for all of mankind? We could change the quality and condition of our lives or the lives of others from a temporal perspective, but have no idea how that would affect our lives or theirs from an eternal perspective. What impact, consequence, results would these potential changes have 1000 years from now? We are not able to look into the future of the lives of anyone. We don’t know the outcome, effects or consequences of experiences or life events especially from a long-term perspective. We are short-sighted and are primarily concerned with the temporary as opposed to the eternal. Everyone is attempting to maximize the temporary aspects of their lives as if this is all there is. Everyone would like to live a life in which happiness, pleasure, and joy is maximized and pain, suffering, struggle, hardship, and difficulty is minimized. Why would anyone choose to trade pleasure for pain, prosperity for poverty, things present for things absent, possessions for opportunities? If this is all there is we want to maximize all the good things in our lives and minimize or rid ourselves of all things bad, but to what end, for what purpose, goal or objective? Is it our desire to merely occupy space, acquire possessions, indulge our every desire or want, maintain our temporal relationships for as long as possible, seek after power, popularity, prominence, and possessions for as long as we possibly can while on earth? Why do we also desire this for all of the people we love? If this were all there was, this would make complete sense. But what if God has a Sovereign, Eternal, Holy plan that is different from ours? - Plans that focus on eternal benefits and blessings as opposed to temporal ones. Most people believe that if they made a certain amount of money from a job that they loved, secured the love of a certain person (and had a healthy relationship with), lived in a particular house, furnished in a desirable manner, with a number of exotic cars and a number of manageable, productive children, with no one ever getting sick or hurt, alongside kind, generous neighbors, etc. that they would be happy and the goal would be to maintain this happiness for as long as possible. If anything happened to disrupt it or alter the conditions or quality of it, we would deem these things “unfair”, “undesired” or “unwarranted”. But is this the will of God for people? God’s will is that you spend eternity with Him enjoying all that He is and all that He has for all of eternity. If you had the ability to do so, would you feed your child anything and everything they ask for and not withhold anything from them? If you were given the Sovereign Book of Life from God and noticed that your life, the lives of those you love, the lives of those you hate, the lives of those who hate you did not have the attributes and experiences that you would prefer. You notice that there is not enough good and too much bad in your life and the lives of the people you love and too much good and not enough bad in the lives of the people that you hate and the lives of those who hate you. Would you change anything? Would you increase/decrease the life span of anyone, increase/decrease the possessions, popularity, prominence, experiences, challenges, difficulties, sicknesses, tragedies, hardships, pains, sufferings, pleasures, joys, indulgences, happy/joyful experiences ordained for anyone, everyone including yourself? We all are guilty of pointing our fingers or fist up to the air demanding that God do something, prevent something, maintain something in the lives of others or in our own lives, but do we fully understand the implications of these requests? Do we really expect God to change his Eternal, Sovereign, Perfect will for our lives and the lives of mankind in general to satisfy our fickle, fleeting, short-sighted, desires and wants? What if we wanted something to occur in our life (or the life of someone else) and this thing actually occurred, but once it occurred and you were allowed to experience it, you or they realized it was not at all what you or they expected in fact you realized that you actually don’t want this thing and would actually like it removed from your life. We desire things because we think, believe, have convinced ourselves or have been convinced by others that the outcome, results, benefits of these things will be beneficial to us, but we don’t know if this will actually be the case. We buy-in to these thoughts and begin to figure out ways to manifest them in our lives. Since we believe or have convinced ourselves that the ends justify the means, we have no problem becoming treacherous, vindictive, manipulative, dishonest, or selfish in order to acquire, maintain, or prevent undesirable experiences in our lives and the lives of others. But to what end? No life no matter what it includes or doesn’t include will be able to satisfy us or anyone else for that matter. We all possess natures that are never satisfied or content. We all will always desire more of what have already attained and also the things, etc. we hope to gain. Imagine a hole of a certain width and depth, but once you attempt to fill, both the width and depth increases as it is filled. This hole will never be filled because it will always make room for whatever is attempting to fill it. It will never be completely filled. This is a great picture of our insatiable and unquenchable nature. We all have an unquenchable thirst for more and different things, experiences, etc. This nature will never be appeased no matter what you do to satisfy it.
God has placed “eternity” in our hearts and we won’t be satisfied with nothing and no one else. We have all been deceived and blinded into thinking and believing that things or people on earth will satisfy us. This is not the case. No matter what life we live we will always desire something else. Hopefully, one day we will realize and recognize that what we truly are longing for is a relationship with God. We desire for God to love us, accept us, forgive us, and desire us as we are and not look down on us, expect unreasonable things from us, or judge us. We buy into the lie that God doesn’t love us because of things, experiences in our lives that we believe He is responsible for. “Why did he allow my loved one to die? Why did He allow this sickness, this accident, this detrimental experience, etc.? Obviously he either doesn’t love or care for me, or isn’t able to do anything about it. Based on these false believes we decided to live our lives for ourselves and disregard any desire to pursue a relationship with him. Sadly and Ironically, if God actually did give you what you wished, you still would not be satisfied and in fact would draw further away from him as opposed to move towards Him. When we acquire, maintain, desire things and experiences in our lives we only desire more of these things believing that these things are what we are desiring more of regardless of what we have actually acquired, maintained or gained more of in our lives. If you could change anything in your life or the lives of others this would not benefit you or them from a long-term perspective. God has already decreed the most perfect plan that maximizes all the temporal things that we desire for all eternity. The most important and significant attribute of God’s Holy, Sovereign, Perfect plan is that it maximizes the lives of those who love him and desire to be with him – enjoy Him, love Him, worship Him, long to be with Him in spite of the ever increasing longings, temptations, deceptions and entrapments that the world has to offer. 
God says it best when he says “What does it profit a man to gain the world, but lose his/her soul”. The answer is “NOTHING”!!!
We should all pursue the “eternity” that God has placed in our hearts. He desires to spend eternity with us and has orchestrated all the things in our lives before the foundation and creation of the world to make this so. If we pursue his plans, his eternal plans will continue to be manifested in our lives, however if we reject, disregard, work against or attempt to change his eternal plans, we continue to seal our fate of a life completely devoid of Him and all that He is for all of Eternity. His eternal plan for all of mankind individually has already been decreed. To ask him to change some temporal thing in our personal life is very presumptuous on our part because how could He improve on perfection (he has perfectly planned all the events, experiences in your life to ensure you spend eternity with him and not apart from him if you choose to pursue his plan for your life instead of creating one for yourself)? Also, we don’t realize the outcome of what we ask for and if we did we wouldn’t ask for it. God knows this which is why most of the time his answer to our prayers is NO! His answer is “No” because our prayer(s) is not in accordance to His sovereign, perfect, eternal will for our live in particular and the lives of mankind in general. God has NEVER NOT answered any prayer we address to Him. If it is in accordance to His perfect will, the answer is always “YES”. However, the timing, situation, or you may not be able to receive what you are requesting. If you pray in accordance to God’s will, and you are right, but the timing is wrong, God’s answer is “Slow” meaning the answer is “YES” but the timing is not in accordance to His sovereign, perfect will so he desires us to wait patiently and humbly on his perfect timing. If the timing is right but we are wrong (in motive or intentions), God desires for us is to Grow – become more spiritually mature so that we maximize the benefits and blessings of the request and not waste it because we were not prepared to receive it or. If we are right and the timing is right – both in accordance to His will, the answer will always be “YES” (GO). He desires us to share in the benefits of His Eternal, Sovereign plans for us that He has ordained to ensure that we grow into the perfect example of a child change by His Love, Power Grace in accordance to His Will. One thing to keep in mind, God answers the prayers of his children, those individuals who have decided to follow and seek after His will for their lives instead of their own. They have decided to not trust in their hearts, thoughts, feelings, understandings, but by faith place their trust in His Will for their lives and future. The way to become one of His children is to place your faith in the finished work of his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way to obtain access to the father, because HE is the only provision that God has provided to make us completely acceptable in His eyes. As sinners by nature, our actions both good and bad cannot contribute anything on our behalf. Pursing good deeds and/or avoiding bad deeds have no Eternal benefit. God only accepts perfection and no human has ever been nor will ever be morally perfect. Jesus has always been and will always be morally perfect. Imagine If I walked up to a complete stranger and asked him to provide for me, meet my (immediate) needs - whatever they were at the time. If I was sincere and earnest in my request to this person, He still would not grant my request. Why, because he doesn’t know me. We do not share a relationship together and so there can be no fellowship. If my son were to ask me to provide for me dad, meet my needs – of course you know what my answer would be because he is my son. If you are not a child of God (He doesn’t recognize you as one of His children) you are a sinner in His eyes. The only prayer that He can answer for you (in accordance to His Sovereign, Righteous, Perfect, Just will) is the “Sinner’s Prayer” for salvation and relationship with him by trusting in the finished work of His Son, Jesus Christ. If God required you to leap over the Grand Canyon as a requirement for salvation, would you start a rigorous training program to help you accomplish this task? No matter what training program you pursued or how long you pursued it, you would never be able to leap over the expanse of the Grand Canyon. You would simply have to fall at his feet and depend on his mercy and grace… humbly admitting to him that you are not able to comply with His request. Once you humbly decided to do this he would proclaim that someone has already completed this task on your behalf and you need to trust in, place your faith in the finished work of this person to gain acceptance in the eyes of God. Which would you prefer the futile training program or the finished work of Jesus Christ? I chose Jesus Christ and have not doubted my decision for over 25 years of deciding to be one of his humble followers. I would advice all others to do the same. As far as I am concerned this is the only logical option. There are no other viable options (really). But I know the majority of the people (due to pride) will continue to pursue other option or no options (simply live for themselves), but at what cost, at what loss? Consider the things that I have shared… May God continue to richly bless you, provide his Grace, Love and Peace to you as you come into the knowledge of His precious TRUTH!! – AMEN