tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90116290230866037082024-03-05T13:36:47.189-06:00The Bus StopThe Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-49517687180613190022012-03-05T18:19:00.004-06:002012-03-05T18:22:48.059-06:00Focus<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJYyAXxF3jThOL2BVbPZnY-PsHIgOOn-3xgZEXljgfDcA08YfIfsF0j1g9EfSd-qHsEWIdlfVWBMOMw4xZEhnyqu4qdtuPPnkdcl-UKg7GLVH6Ae9F22TTsfETrowo_Ynr7-A1XuiO8mp/s1600/Focus.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJYyAXxF3jThOL2BVbPZnY-PsHIgOOn-3xgZEXljgfDcA08YfIfsF0j1g9EfSd-qHsEWIdlfVWBMOMw4xZEhnyqu4qdtuPPnkdcl-UKg7GLVH6Ae9F22TTsfETrowo_Ynr7-A1XuiO8mp/s320/Focus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716572645777903106" border="0" /></a><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline;">T</span>here’s probably not a single person on this planet who hasn’t contemplated some vision of heaven and its beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The streets of Gold, pearly gates, mansions and where our friends and loved ones have gone on before us. For the most part it seems that God has held back much information concerning heaven. Paul talks about being called up into the 3<sup>rd</sup> heaven but wasn’t allowed to reveal or give any information about what he saw. (2 Corinthians 12) I find it interesting and disturbing that since there is little information many have tried to fill in the gaps with their own imaginations. Many of these imaginations you can see are definitely contrived by their own sinful desires and wishes.<br /><br /></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Many times I have pondered the vastness and joy of heaven only to end up feeling unsatisfied and even disturbed. Have you ever wondered if heaven might be somewhat boring? I mean, what are we going to be doing for trillions of years? Whenever I ponder heaven I always end up with more questions than answers. Why is this? Why didn’t God give us a better description of the afterlife? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >All of us have a fear of the unknown or the afterlife. What lies on the other side? For some may be intense fear of death or simply curiosity. I believe we all have a natural God-given drive for preservation. There are those who consult with “psychics” in attempts to deal with their fear. Others have attempted other means to console they fears.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I don’t allow myself to ponder and dream of heaven anymore. It’s not because of fear of death or I don’t care. It’s simply no matter whatever I can imagine I can’t even begin to understand its glory. Imagine trying to explain to an amoeba that vastness of the universe. It would be a futile endeavor to say the least. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Some of the wonders of heaven that we will experience are to be completely separated from sin, we will never experience pain, (physical or emotional) we will never have any more longings, and we will be at perfect peace and full of joy. These are just a few things that I can’t even begin to comprehend. It’s far beyond our understanding no matter how diligent we seek. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">There are those who claim to have seen the afterlife. Personally I believe they’re either lying or delusional. I don’t believe there are words in the human language that could begin to reveal the unimaginable. So many get consumed with the future such as the Book of Revelation that they miss the present. Where we are now needs to be our focus. This is said perfectly in…</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">1 Corinthians 13:12-13. We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! </i></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><sup>13</sup>But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></b></i></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-89954388933778095512012-01-09T09:39:00.003-06:002012-01-09T09:41:34.056-06:00The Bathroom Scale<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmVuEU7mtOfPTRDRQ3dmM7YoLQSuwaz1Pjsrcc46FOFc9QSL80qSJYlJW5ITV7CTeLVcrhzjWspO0rmdhBaqLgYgnO3p3ObP8VoOaxkl3WxVoFIS4IjShn0_3wnFKtVSligUgl1CFNSf1/s1600/Bathroom+scale+girls.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmVuEU7mtOfPTRDRQ3dmM7YoLQSuwaz1Pjsrcc46FOFc9QSL80qSJYlJW5ITV7CTeLVcrhzjWspO0rmdhBaqLgYgnO3p3ObP8VoOaxkl3WxVoFIS4IjShn0_3wnFKtVSligUgl1CFNSf1/s320/Bathroom+scale+girls.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695657725432059058" border="0" /></a><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The dreaded bathroom scale… After seeing this cartoon I got to thinking about the years I avoided this contraption simply because it was my enemy and it was mean to me. It had the gall to tell me the truth. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At first it was a conscious decision to avoid it and after a while it simply became invisible. It had never been moved, but ignored. </span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Why would I want such a thing in the house if it was just going to make me feel guilty and why did I keep it right there in the bathroom. As I said, it became invisible so why move it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Then I began to realize this was how I did so many things in my life. I became calloused and numb to situations around me. However, no matter how far I ran and calloused I had become I could never escape the Truth of God. Of course it was extremely irritating, but when I finally understood and began to accept the truth my life started <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">changing and improving</b>. In other words whenever we are losing weight or have lost weight the bathroom scale becomes our friend. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif";font-family:";font-size:100%;color:red;" >I feel like I need to expound on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">changing and improving</b>. Many times when a person makes this comment I always believed it had something to do with making more money or they were a more righteous person. If that’s the case then this statement wouldn’t apply to me. The changes I experienced was sleeping better, a lot less fear in my life, confidence, assertiveness, peace, joy, love and a relationship with Jesus I never knew was possible. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >This is what Paul was talking about when he was teaching about the Law of God. The Law was not sin nor was it our enemy. The Law was to show us the boundaries and steer us away from destruction. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">He said… if it wasn’t for the Law I would have not known sin. Then he said he wouldn’t have known sin if the Law hadn’t said, “You shall not covet.” Romans 7:7 (Paraphrased)</i> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >For the most part we do not want to know the truth, especially about ourselves. We’re afraid of the truth and avoid it because it hurts and we don’t want to hurt. The reason it hurts is because we fear it’s going to take something away from us. However, when we stop running and face the fear and the truth we learn that it has always been our friend and it has so much more to give us, not take away. If we refuse to stand on the same side as truth, then it will always be our enemy. It’s not wise to have God as our enemy because He is Truth.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-41452942854714124922012-01-02T09:35:00.003-06:002012-01-02T09:40:32.350-06:00Fame, Riches and Power<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Many years ago I had a personal dream that someday I wanted to be someone famous. I admired many of the famous preachers, authors, teachers and speakers. Then one day God asked me if I wanted a target painted on my back because that is what will happen if you ever achieved this status. He said, I’m not talking abou</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >t people attacking you, but did you want to<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>be targ</span><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >eted by satan. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >When I thought of the temptations and desires these people have to face daily, I began to rethink my desires. I have enough problems as it</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" > is and I definitely don’t need them multiplied. I </span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >would believe that most of these people started o</span><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >ut with the purest objectives, but it doesn’t take long for the enemy (satan) to get involved and destroy.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I know most of you have read the popular books that have swept the nation. These books minister to many people, however satan comes along and begins to water them down with commercialism and cult. God may have only given this person one book to write, but the publishers believe there is much more money to b</span><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >e made. Before you know it there are calendars, T-Shirts and bumper stickers then that certain book becomes addressed to men, women, teens and children and so on.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The greatest temptation they have to face then is fame, riches and power. I know it would be easy to get consumed with all the limelight. This is usually where God is no longer the focus but the desire to hold on to what they have achieved. This u</span><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >sually means a change in truth, theology and goals. I know that satan supplies vast amounts of justifications for them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I could write several pages about this, but I think yo</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >u understand the point. It will always come down to where our heart is. Do we have a heart to</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" > serve the Lord whatever the cost or serve satan i</span><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >n exchange for personal glory. There is not a place in between. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" >The more you get the less you are. Proverb</span></i></b></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >s 1:19</span></i></b></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Think about that scripture for a moment. It’s an exchange. Think about this picture. The more</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ46y2qEL_QYcmIcejjLtlR5ggmc6_2eQUTt0RuMVcUXatb8W0uIhl9da7aOu5Oim4aLJpqzGzLzbnrwoDF_UyagbncFZdMbS50js6gBQeceXCYrUN0O_3InSqc2VjmEz6baIMNlAWLxzt/s1600/Fame+Riches+Power.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ46y2qEL_QYcmIcejjLtlR5ggmc6_2eQUTt0RuMVcUXatb8W0uIhl9da7aOu5Oim4aLJpqzGzLzbnrwoDF_UyagbncFZdMbS50js6gBQeceXCYrUN0O_3InSqc2VjmEz6baIMNlAWLxzt/s320/Fame+Riches+Power.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693059260274785346" border="0" /></a></span></i></b></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" > this guy has the less you see of him. Are you identified by you money, house, car, job or position, what you think you are or by what God says you are. After you are aware of what God says we are to Him. Then we have to believe it. We may make the statement we believe, but many times it’s</span><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" > no more than words. To accept it into our hearts is when we will really begin to change.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-81791584645488227442011-12-05T22:54:00.003-06:002011-12-05T22:56:54.147-06:00The Opposites<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw-nRaf5qvN7HZFRF2qnKT799K3QEAfLyr9JbAw0Lpf8c7v9DO11ebWtvDePAo1QtyOgXyDYPRhC7FAsNNTCKlZA23ZkM5ExJm5AplV2doobIiywBCfNaU31A8xb6886lRn-A_FSA60_y/s1600/Opposites.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmw-nRaf5qvN7HZFRF2qnKT799K3QEAfLyr9JbAw0Lpf8c7v9DO11ebWtvDePAo1QtyOgXyDYPRhC7FAsNNTCKlZA23ZkM5ExJm5AplV2doobIiywBCfNaU31A8xb6886lRn-A_FSA60_y/s320/Opposites.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682874742697282274" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Recently I started dieting and to my amazement I’ve actually lost weight. I still have more to lose and right now I’m thinking it may be possible. My motives for losing weight have nothing to do with vanity. That ship has sailed. One motive I’ve had is to be able to tie my shoes without passing out. I would also like to get off of all my heart medications. I guess the main one is I just want to feel better. I’m tired of feeling sick. I have actually started to feel much better and that gives me the motivation to move on.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >What I didn’t realize was God had several insights to give me during this time and give me understanding into areas I thought I understood. I believe I now understand what lust truly is about for the first time. Generally we associate lust with sex. However, when I’ve just eaten and I’m full and pass Taco Bell, Whataburger and everything else I fantasize about the delicious goodies in those restaurants. This is lust! When I want something even though I don’t need it or I shouldn’t have it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Lust translates into all areas of life. Lust for money, lust for things, lust for sex, lust for food and coveting anything I don’t need. Many have said the opposite of lust is love. This is not true. The opposite of lust is gratitude and contentment. When I am grateful and content with what God has given me then I am content. If I am content with my wife then I will not have any desires for anyone else. When I am grateful for my job then I become content and so on.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Then I begin to notice other statements I have taken for granted such as…The opposite if love is hate. The truth is, the opposite of love is fear. The opposite of hate and anger is forgiveness. The opposite of war is slavery. The opposite of pride and arrogance is peace. The opposite of God is Satan. NO! God has no opposite. Satan’s opposite would be like Michael or Gabriel the archangels. I would suggest that you look deeper into the “opposites” that you have taken for granted. In order to find them you have to look into your heart.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being <b>content</b> in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12</span></i></span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-65981455465001183252011-11-29T14:38:00.002-06:002011-11-29T14:39:45.559-06:00Steel on Steel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC66sVGg9-xD5lbsFe7HiaFiw0MJHBhr9JObu6QGnHFj99s9HRMENjbr5cIiUf8yXvO9aNsd3qv9jL74OGBoFX8d7N1-2kd6_Pxo3zrPmnCpdkQSYvpKVV9PAlFUye7IyQUIHSOQ_xeZS/s1600/Steel+on+Steel.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC66sVGg9-xD5lbsFe7HiaFiw0MJHBhr9JObu6QGnHFj99s9HRMENjbr5cIiUf8yXvO9aNsd3qv9jL74OGBoFX8d7N1-2kd6_Pxo3zrPmnCpdkQSYvpKVV9PAlFUye7IyQUIHSOQ_xeZS/s320/Steel+on+Steel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680520136705025170" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* 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mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1027"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Tricia walks into the room. There are knots in her stomach and her hands are shaking. She so desperately needs to talk to her husband Frank about how he has been treating her, but she is so afraid. She already knows of his reaction of screaming and yelling. Will she have the nerve to do it this time or she back out like she always does. She thinks to herself, “He won’t listen to me anyway so why bother.” So she continues on in a life of fear and dread hoping for better days. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Is this you? Which one are you? Do you relate to Tricia or Frank? If you relate to Frank then you probably won’t agree or accept that it is you. For many years I avoided confrontation with my wife and others due to fears of possible reactions such as those described. <span style="color:#1F497D;"> </span>The word confrontation still makes me twinge. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >If you are struggling with an issue you need to discuss with someone whether it is your spouse, friend or co-worker it is very likely you will receive this kind of response.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Threat of Anger</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" > – You begin to see their face tighten and fist clinch and you know there are going to get mad no matter what you say so you refuse to go on.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Threat of Mood</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" > – They may start crying, get depressed or act out as a martyr.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Threat of Charm</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" > – The may make a joke out of it, return your issue with compliment to throw you off balance and make you feel guilty for mentioning it.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Threat of Procrastination</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" > – Get depressed. Make promises of change, but never quite get around to it and then passive/aggressively get even with you.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >You are or have been one of these people. The main reason people are not honest and truthful with others is because we won’t allow them. The truth can be painful so we immediately throw up our defenses.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Now the other side of the coin</span></b></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Rather than confront you may attack, belittle and demean, present or demand ultimatums.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >You don’t confront, sit quietly and grow bitter.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >If you do confront, you do it in such a friendly way the person has no idea what you’re talking about. You usually refrain from confrontation because you want everyone to like you.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >You won’t confront burying you head in the sand and hope it blows over or boast how nothing bothers you and you just let in roll off your shoulders until one day you blow like Mount St. Helens.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >When I learned the truth about confrontation I found it extremely freeing. The real truth of why we don’t confront is really not as much about fear as it is about selfishness.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; font-family:";color:red;" >I</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; font-family:";color:red;" > </span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; font-family:";color:red;" >I</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; font-family:";color:red;" > </span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >don’t want to get hurt myself.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; font-family:";color:red;" >I</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; font-family:";color:red;" > </span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >want everyone to like me.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; font-family:";color:red;" >I</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; font-family:";color:red;" > </span><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >really just don’t want to deal with it.</span></p> <p style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; font-family:";color:red;" >My </span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >way or the highway.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >You can live your life in fear and selfishness if you desire, but the joy and freedom that comes with truth. <i>And they shall know the truth and the truth will set them free. John 8:34 </i>This is only one application of this verse, but so often I see more and more.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >It’s when we tell others the truth for their benefit and not only ours and sometimes not ours at all. When we see others hurting themselves with poor behavior we should want to enlighten them, not attack or hurt them. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Example</span></b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >: A friend has a negative attitude about everything. They have difficulty keeping a job, making or keeping friends or enjoying anything about life. You don’t just tell them they have a negative attitude and if you don’t change you won’t have anything to do with them either. You talk to them and attempt to discover <b>WHY</b> they have such a negative attitude and guide them to overcome it. Now you are doing it for <u>them</u>. You will probably be amazed at what you learn.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Over the years, Karen and I have learned to respectfully, calmly confront each other about various issues. It is not always fun, but the truth is necessary.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >So many times I go to Karen with a new idea or something new I’ve learned and sometimes she shoots it down. At first I may get angry, discouraged or resentful, but then God works on me helps me to realize she was right. You see, I have a tendency to write my own scriptures, make up my own statistics and see things only through my eyes. Karen helps me to rethink and open my eyes and even if I don’t want to admit it she is usually right. It’s because of her truth that sharpens me and makes me stronger. My part is I have to listen not only to her but to God. Is it one sided. No! There have been circumstances where I have sharpened her as well. Some think the only thing I have taught her is patience. Sometimes she is the hammer and sometimes I am. I think she gets to hold it more because I’m the one that needs sharpening more. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >The motivation of the hammer should always be Love. When Jesus confronted, scolded or was direct with someone, you knew it was always for their benefit and not His. If you are using the hammer then it needs to be out of love and nothing else. If someone is using the hammer on you it should be out of love. If you feel the person that is using the hammer on you is not out of love you can always be assured that God will use that hammer for Love to help you grow and sharpen. The Bible gives us so many examples.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >I don’t know if you’ve heard this song, but it really speaks a lot of truth.</span></p> <p><b><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" >Steel on Steel</span></b></p> <p><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"font-family:";" ><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt9NcVx01mM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt9NcVx01mM</a></span> </p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-45023634262694682292011-11-23T12:09:00.002-06:002011-11-23T12:11:00.192-06:00The Elderly Man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjseLW0uTFgAy4BggwB3JoGNNSyITeitCUiyZTrYqy1TJhFyrYojesWmtV9lZh6asIJd6iclcarClTBR_9DrQ2vcGhATd8dUjVvefnqnEdjcQPGQKnXzyELzE9MC2CNlnTPgV9uf6Be2V/s1600/The+Elder+Man.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisjseLW0uTFgAy4BggwB3JoGNNSyITeitCUiyZTrYqy1TJhFyrYojesWmtV9lZh6asIJd6iclcarClTBR_9DrQ2vcGhATd8dUjVvefnqnEdjcQPGQKnXzyELzE9MC2CNlnTPgV9uf6Be2V/s320/The+Elder+Man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5678255242913005746" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >One evening a man and his wife were eating supper and someone knocked at the door. The man went to see who was at the door and an elderly man was at the door. When the man opened the door the elderly man didn’t say a word and just handed the man $100 bill and walked off. The man questioned him as he walked off, but got no answer. He returned inside and told his wife about the peculiar event that just took place. They both were pleased, but confused.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The next evening the same exact thing happened again. He tried to ask the elderly man why he was doing this and all he would do is smile and walked away. This behavior went on for about 5 years. The couple would sit and wait for his arrival and even had some of their friends come over to witness this blessing they couldn’t understand. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Then one day without warning they were prepared to receive and he never showed up. This puzzled them because the elderly man had been so punctual. They figured he must have had something come up and couldn’t make it. The next evening the same thing happened and then the next.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Their imaginations ran wild. What could of happened to the elderly man. Maybe he’s in the hospital or worse, maybe he died. Concern quickly turns into disappointment and eventually into anger. How could he do this to us? Didn’t he know that we have come to depend on this as a part of our livelihood? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Months had gone by until one day while he was at the market he saw the elderly man. He ran over to him and asked him what happened to him. He simply answered, “Nothing.” We have been expecting you every evening and you never showed up. We have been worried about you. The elderly man answered, “No, I’m fine and everything is going well.” This angered the man and he explained how they got to depending on this and when he stopped giving it really put them in a mess. He demanded, “How could you have done this to us?”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The elderly man explained, “Sir, when I began giving you the money I simply did it because I wanted to and when I quit giving you the money I simply quit giving because I wanted to. It never had anything to do with you or your wife. It was simply my choice. Instead of being grateful for the time of blessing you’ve become bitter over something that started and stopped which you had nothing to do with.” Then the elderly man walked away.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >You see, God blesses those who He wants and when He wants. It has nothing to do with how good or bad we are, it’s simply His choice. It could be money, health, talents or abilities. The fact is, it was God’s to give us and His to take away. So why do we get angry instead of praising Him for what He has done and what we have now when it really never belonged to us anyway. I know I have so much to be thankful for and I know I’ve done nothing to deserve it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"; font-family:";color:#0070C0;" >Happy Thanksgiving!</span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >“Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” Job 1:21</span></i></span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-36684055433873644192011-11-21T08:47:00.004-06:002011-11-21T08:50:24.090-06:00Rescued<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIpVHSwfZMEr1-J-6fxg5ufQ7toxD_hMqpFdxOKkFKXDDGrlRRxA6Hu_ur91fCxSN8l8bV29U_4JIS15Qxuz5BmDGmFk4A30kkRlpVFHvyaorrBHMjaLWSuLOs3boofVCMFeICpXCsE5b/s1600/Rescued.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 114px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIpVHSwfZMEr1-J-6fxg5ufQ7toxD_hMqpFdxOKkFKXDDGrlRRxA6Hu_ur91fCxSN8l8bV29U_4JIS15Qxuz5BmDGmFk4A30kkRlpVFHvyaorrBHMjaLWSuLOs3boofVCMFeICpXCsE5b/s320/Rescued.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677461192652536850" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I know there are many times in my life that I have been pulled from the fire. You can probably testify to it as well. As I reflect over my past I see a multitude of incidents where I was either snatched from the jaws of death or some kind of personal destruction. I’m not going to give you all my examples, but take a minute and think about your own situations.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >When I got to thinking about this the other day I first began to see the physical situations, but then as I continued to think I saw the many times God had rescued me from spiritual destruction. Of course the first one was when I accepted Jesus into my heart. I’m just thankful God chose me and rescued me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > There have been many times I have strayed from the truth, but God was there to rescue me. There have been several times when I believed I was doing the right thing and following truth but then God opened my eyes and snatched me from the trap. Right now in our time that are so many clever traps and it’s so easy to be beguiled.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > If there is one thing I have learned in recent years, if it wasn’t for Jesus walking beside me and guiding me then I would be susceptible to just about everything simply because I can’t see what’s ahead. I don’t mean to be vague, but it is really difficult to put into words. I do know that pride can easily make me fall. This is why we have to hold on tight to Jesus.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; line-height: normal;"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i>He <b>rescued</b> me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. Psalm 18:17</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align: justify;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i><br /></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" > Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,<br />Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;<br />Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,<br />Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save. </span></p> <ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .5in"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Refrain:<br /> Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,<br /> Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.</span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-54778108278502081452011-11-17T08:08:00.003-06:002011-11-17T08:10:35.183-06:00Don’t Think!<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNg-qSB52YjlZNkSyrGYlci4Rojep3pQdSA600nHaKCuxAk4hy7UHydilTvCsrpDLAnfTxFhdqfhYXC_qgK_8ZWNCt1S31D-c1TEXCczCY7CqJzaW1GoiINRIugyDK3P7aOneEZqi35wv/s1600/Dont+Think.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNg-qSB52YjlZNkSyrGYlci4Rojep3pQdSA600nHaKCuxAk4hy7UHydilTvCsrpDLAnfTxFhdqfhYXC_qgK_8ZWNCt1S31D-c1TEXCczCY7CqJzaW1GoiINRIugyDK3P7aOneEZqi35wv/s320/Dont+Think.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675966610255961810" border="0" /></a><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline;">T</span>his advice is often given to people. The culprit behind this philosophy is usually from our enemy satan. You may have heard “Don’t Think, ACT Quickly or Just Do It or maybe it’s just, Take a Chance.” There are maybe a very few situations that call for spontaneity which I do believe in, but there are so many situations that do require deliberation and truth seeking. There is an old saying that says, “Those who want to deal the worst get the worst deal.” I’ve proven that many times in my life. There are many unwed mothers that gave into Don’t Think, Act! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The wise watch their steps and avoid evil; <b>fools</b> are headstrong and reckless. Proverbs 14:16<br /><br /></i></span> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >As in all things there is balance. Satan wants to throw everything out of balance and one of those areas is to get people to quit thinking. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Don’t think</b> about what your government is doing, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">don’t think</b> about what your church is doing, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">don’t think </b>about what the schools are teaching our children and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">don’t think </b>about what the Bible is saying, act on what makes you happy. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of course the other side of this coin is, analyze everything to death. Both ways can be dangerous and destructive.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >We live in an age that our minds and lives are so full of clutter that we have little time to ponder the truth of God. There are constant distractions that send our thoughts into many places at one time. As it says in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God.</i> I even noticed that in our churches they seem to work at not losing the momentum in the services and keep us from reflecting on our hearts. I’m not saying they do this purposefully, however it is happening. It’s an old salesman’s game. Don’t give them time to think.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >All I am trying to say is slow down. Don’t get ahead of God and ponder what He’s trying to tell you.</span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-17585591765703198212011-10-31T12:56:00.002-05:002011-10-31T12:57:50.305-05:00Where’s the Proof?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yydTjo_lqq__8YYQxP7mr3qXUJLgzLOJSJwsXXnQbGwRRNdQRco3t3vP0NyRK6_1JNXWc6Fl4iLQQdmwl9V2uHVj8FKIDvWWdrGhi2KK07Cqi8Ar101yKhYD3XWagW6TVSRwHFkRPG5z/s1600/Where+is+the+Proof.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yydTjo_lqq__8YYQxP7mr3qXUJLgzLOJSJwsXXnQbGwRRNdQRco3t3vP0NyRK6_1JNXWc6Fl4iLQQdmwl9V2uHVj8FKIDvWWdrGhi2KK07Cqi8Ar101yKhYD3XWagW6TVSRwHFkRPG5z/s320/Where+is+the+Proof.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669716899242149058" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Several times in my life I have occasionally fallen into doubt. Questions come over me concerning the reality of God. I know that when we are down heartened and discouraged these feelings come, but when everything is going well or maybe even while I am praying or reading the Bible these thoughts come. Now I know this is harassment by the enemy (demons) trying to throw me off balance. However, the question remains…do I have a response to these doubts or will I let these thoughts burden me.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I know if you are a living breathing human and no matter if you are a born again believer, attended church all your life or even have a deep relationship with God you have or will be attacked with these questions…Is Jesus really coming back…Does God really exist or is this something we have just accepted without question…Is there really a heaven and hell…Could this be all that there is? These are not questions that have come to me only recently, but they have returned throughout my life.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >So what if these doubts attack us what do we do? Pray harder, read the Bible more, ignore it and hope it goes away, get counseling or just run away? Some of these things may help, but this morning God renewed a truth in me and helped me to see it more clearly than I’ve understood before. Where is it?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Israel! Just look to Israel and God’s chosen people. The proof will always be there and visible for all of us. Think about it. Why would practically every country in the world want to see Israel destroyed? Why is it that this small piece of real estate is so valuable to so many? Israel is only about the size of East Texas. Why is it that this small country has caused so much attention throughout the world and time? Why did Hitler try to totally eliminate their existence? I could go on and on. Think about it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Satan knows that if he can destroy Israel he can destroy the reality of God and he will continue to do so to the very end. However, I have read ahead and I know this doesn’t happen. Israel has always been a constant source of affirmation of God and irritation to Satan. Satan tried to destroy Jesus and did that ever backfire on him. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I’m not a historian or theologian on Israel, but it’s impossible to deny what’s right in front of me. Israel is not God, but they continue to validate His existence and truth. If you were to conduct a historical study of Israel you’ll see God’s fingerprints everywhere; Not only in the past, but up to this very day. They’re always in the news.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >America has always been support for Israel and this would explain our bountiful blessing from God. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:3</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >However, America has been leaning on the edge of removing our support from Israel and if it ever happens all I can say is look out. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-68525936083778527822011-10-24T08:53:00.003-05:002011-10-24T08:58:12.122-05:00Lifeline<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm8tRhknnfagjRoeFANamApgd2Hu5M6zWm0TlIT3VDP44z1LRdvKxx7Zf2TDK-ESoq6WiGRYY5YouaCd-MF89kpWmTKWWE4K-juIuJyu3vsxUnK6hxzLfHiPpMPtREH8EDNj0i976F4gv/s1600/Lifeline.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm8tRhknnfagjRoeFANamApgd2Hu5M6zWm0TlIT3VDP44z1LRdvKxx7Zf2TDK-ESoq6WiGRYY5YouaCd-MF89kpWmTKWWE4K-juIuJyu3vsxUnK6hxzLfHiPpMPtREH8EDNj0i976F4gv/s320/Lifeline.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667057428860129778" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The other day I was pondering my life and came to the conclusion that I couldn’t believe I had made it as far as I have. Meaning, I can’t believe I’m still alive. I sat in amazement wondering how God could have put up with me for so long.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I also began to think about my past and for so long I thought I understood God, the church, Christianity and the right way of living. Then I thought about how the church, preaching and God just made me feel worthless and like a failure. In guilt I came to believe I must have been God’s greatest disappointment. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I remember many times I would go to church camp, revival or seminar and decide within my own will power that this time would be different. (By the way, I have no will power to do what is right, only wrong.) I was going to make further down the road this time. Nothing was going to stop me. I was going to serve the Lord and nothing was getting in my way. No more failure for me. This would last for at least 2 – 4 weeks, then Boom! My spirit was willing, but my flesh was weak. By the way, that’s a false statement. The truth is/was my spirit was weak and my flesh was strong. I didn’t want to walk away from the sinful desires in my life and I was easily influenced to return to them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Where did I develop the belief that I was supposed to be perfect? Why didn’t God help me like He said He would in His word? Over the years I came to believe that God wasn’t true to His Word and in my late 30’s I was getting pretty angry at God and everyone else. I’d try blaming everyone that I could. I believed that everyone else had it figured out and I was standing ignorantly out in the cold rain. After years of believing this there was no place for me to go but depression. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >After wallowing around in depression for over a year I was getting close to hitting bottom. I hadn’t hit bottom yet because I still hadn’t ran to God. I was still trying to figure it out on my own.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Then God began to lovingly and gently throw me lifelines. He wasn’t pushing me, but was drawing me in to safety. I will never forget His loving gentleness and patience as if I was a skittish, timid, abused puppy. He continued to gracefully and calmly throw me lifelines and led me to a place to release all my hurt and anger and to restore our relationship in truth. All my life I had succumbed to the many lies satan has so carefully weaved into my heart. Now my Lord and God continually removes the lies and is replacing them with Truth. I didn’t learn all the lies overnight nor has God removed them overnight. You see, I had to be broken and flushed out completely before I was willing to look up.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Many times I have believed that these lifelines didn’t start occurring until this time in my life, but the truth was that God had been throwing these lines to me all my life. I can’t help but think of this song:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Time after time I was searching for peace in some void<br />I was trying to blame all my ills on this world I was in<br />Surface relationships used me till I was done in<br />But all the while someone was begging to free me from sin </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u><span style="line-height:115%; Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >Chorus</span></u></span><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><br />He was there all the time<br />He was there all the time<br />Waiting patiently in line<br />He was there all the time </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Never again will I search for a fake rainbows end<br />Now that I’ve found the answer my life is just starting to rhyme<br />Sharing each new day with Him is a breath of fresh life<br />Oh what I've missed He's been waiting right here all the time </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u><span style="line-height:115%; Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >Repeat Chorus</span></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >This describes where I was very accurately.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble." </span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. James 4:4-10</span></i></span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-58839016365131246872011-10-17T09:11:00.003-05:002011-10-17T09:15:14.475-05:00Chapters<!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> 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{mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1027"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><u><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >Definition of a Chapter:</span></u></b></span><span style=" line-height: 115%; Times New Roman","serif";font-family:";font-size:100%;" > <span style="mso-tab-count:8"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><b><i style=""><br /></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">1. </i></b><i style="">One of the main divisions of a relatively lengthy piece of writing, such as a book, that is usually numbered or titled.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%; Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><b>2. </b>A distinct period or sequence of events, as in history or a person's life.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I’m sure there are many of you are becoming aware of the many chapters that </span><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >have come and gone throughout your life. Those of you who are younger may not have as many chapters in your life; then again some of you may have more than those around my age.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The healthiest thing I’ve learned to do in recent years is to close chapters in my life and move on. I was notorious for attempting to hold on to everything in my past. I virtually lived in my past. I was afraid to let my past go mostly because I was so afraid of the future or unknown. I wanted to hang on to almost every event as well as hold on to every friend I made. I even felt guilty about letting go because I believed that moving on was saying I didn’t care or I was doing them some sort of injustice. There were many circumstances I held on to simply because I liked to use them for justification just in case I needed them. Once I let go I felt somewhat vulnerable. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >When I</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph_qnqEWAQcjqxvuXhs8KD4xMzF21Q8bkP96ZaPma1K_tRfHUdeIdxrY8uA9H5gk9rMQjZsGGw72Qd9EZ0ggC8fKLvLckHdZmU5H-KWALeBJtTGh19vmDuiq7QhjG781he0jy5KJxSsln/s1600/Chapters.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhph_qnqEWAQcjqxvuXhs8KD4xMzF21Q8bkP96ZaPma1K_tRfHUdeIdxrY8uA9H5gk9rMQjZsGGw72Qd9EZ0ggC8fKLvLckHdZmU5H-KWALeBJtTGh19vmDuiq7QhjG781he0jy5KJxSsln/s320/Chapters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664464086927258962" border="0" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" > think of a picture of what I looked like spiritually and emotionally this is what I see. (No, I didn’t se</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:100%;" >e myself as a woman. This was the only picture I could find.) Naturally I was overwhelmed. Take a minute and think if this might be a picture of you. Are you carrying around stuff tha</span><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >t’s inhibiting you and your life? If so, then put them down. It’s time to move on to freedom. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >There seems to have been many chapters in my life in just the last few years. I’ve attempted to return to some of them, but I was unable to fit in and I couldn’t make it happen. The chapter was simply closed. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Recently I was a volunteer at an elderly rehab center. (Sort of like a nursing home) I started a new job and had to leave. This was over a month ago and I haven’t returned to visit or anything. I’ve struggled a little with some guilt because I’ve not even had a desire to return. Did I not meet some interesting people or make some friends while I was there? Yes I did. However, I’ve had to accept this chapter is now closed and time to move on. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I will never find what I’m looking for in my past. The past is dead and can’t be changed or repaired. It’s gone! The future could be just a detrimental if I choose to live there. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 </i>My mother used to say why are you worried about the future? You may be dead before it ever gets here. For some reason or another I took comfort in that thought.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Are you having difficulty letting go of a past friend, death of a loved one, a job, church, position, children who have strayed or are you ashamed of what you think you’ve become, or what you have done in your past or where you believe you are going? Let go and move on!</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">So am I saying to never remember anything or anyone from your past? No Way! First of all you can’t. It’s mentally impossible unless you get some sort of brain damage. You don’t quit loving or remembering. It’s just a decision to put down the past and turn your desires, thoughts and dreams to God. He is the past, present and future/eternity. He’s not concerned with what was, but with what is<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">. </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";" >But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. </span>Matthew 8:22-23</i> Jesus was simply saying, if you want to follow me then get on the boat and leave the past behind. You may want to read the previous verses. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">This is something that came to me several years ago and I try to remember it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style=" line-height:115%">Learn from the Past – Live in the Present – Hope for the Future/Eternity</span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-69725872338918899652011-10-10T10:42:00.004-05:002011-10-10T10:44:05.306-05:00Freedom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYKgXkehyGR_zn6uBobJlma86Ip68rE1HmTwc3hoSf0P_GHmkw4DLXIKfTTqkaVWaJcTSM-Mv9eozOiwSumYcxFETF9cDq2i0JkyezV1Vj6SyGtQx0jFhhmh4btxudXVN79jEMZWApnaw/s1600/Freedom.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYKgXkehyGR_zn6uBobJlma86Ip68rE1HmTwc3hoSf0P_GHmkw4DLXIKfTTqkaVWaJcTSM-Mv9eozOiwSumYcxFETF9cDq2i0JkyezV1Vj6SyGtQx0jFhhmh4btxudXVN79jEMZWApnaw/s320/Freedom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661889506604788098" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I can remember the days when a man’s handshake was his contract and word. It was important to a man to honor his word and to prove his integrity. There were no lawyers, not a 50 page legalese document to sign or vengeful threats. A man’s word was his bond.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >What motivated a person to keep their word in an agreement? It could have been anything to several things. He desired to live a life honorable to God. He had a fear of God. He had a fear of repercussion and consequences. When the world was smaller and people lived in smaller towns their livelihood depended greatly on their integrity and honesty because if word got out (and it would) this person business would have been destroyed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >We live in a different world now. Dishonesty, cheating, corruption and lying have become the norm instead of the exception. Many people would choose to lie even though the truth would have been acceptable. Many have no problem laying their hands on a Bible and lying in a court of law. They say you can always tell when a politician is lying. It’s usually when his lips are moving. There are many who will say whatever it takes to get them what they want. If it’s to get elected, make a sale, get her into bed or simply deny something to avoid discipline or conflict.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >One of the consequences we all have had to pay is to have contracts and legal documents and these are even iffy. Then there are lawyers whose job is to find loop wholes in these contracts. It our “enlightened” society there is many situations that encourage us to do wrong legally.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Now to bring it down to where we live: Do we cheat on our taxes? If we’re over changed at a store do we make a point to inform the cashier? If we are overpaid at our jobs do we make them aware of it? Do we arrange cash business to lie on our income? Do we flirt with others even though we are married? Do we tell friends the truth when they ask us difficult questions or tell them what they wish to hear? I could go on, but I think you get the point.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The Bible has become a book of suggestions instead of commandments. People do as they wish because there is no fear of God any longer. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. James 2:8-11</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >The Reward:</span></b></span><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" > There is nothing more powerful and healing than a clear conscience. A clear conscience will grant you health, sleep, peace, genuine love and strength. There will be no more looking over your shoulder and wondering if the ax is going to fall on you. When you see a policeman is doesn’t affect you. When you’re called into the boss’s office you’re not overcome with fear. When you are with your spouse there is no shame or fear. The list is extensive.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I have been guilty of so many and still struggle with some. However, I would not exchange a clear conscience for anything. It is the one of the most powerful and freeing assets anyone could have. It’s another word for FREEDOM..</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-74308886189280289272011-10-03T08:59:00.003-05:002011-10-03T09:01:58.921-05:00Heaven<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEa5uZYKC1_pwQuzUMTPnT8ql9YE2XRdZV9npMNiRLclstF-VEbbiGpLXKF-Xrvb670oOoZ7WQv1bXzB_A4E9556bzgz7PeqtLfpunuF3Sm1MTT6PXbgGdkRx6OwuQAmOlvrh1e-mL5xK/s1600/Heaven.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 170px;" 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10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1027"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >All of us at one time or another has contemplated heaven. What’s it really going to be like? Where is it exactly? Some may have wondered, “Am I gonna be bored?” I have thought that before. What wonders will we see and of course many other questions. Jesus gave us a few physical characteristics of heaven, but there is not a lot of information about heaven. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The greatest mystery of man has always been what lies on the other side of death. Man’s imagination has come up with some amazing opinions and beliefs, but none of those have biblical foundation of any kind. Many believe that this is all there is and once you die that’s it. Whenever I’m watching a war movie seeing hundreds of men dying on both sides of the battle it’s easy to see them just as being dead and not bound for an eternity.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >If you search “heaven” in Bible Gateway you will find about a hundred scriptures on heaven. However, several of them are referring to the sky, stars and referencing to the place where God resides. There is very little physical description of heaven. In John 14:1-3 there is talk about the mansions Jesus is preparing for us and in Revelation 21:9-14 is probably the most physical description of heaven in the Bible. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Not much of this information really tells us much about heaven. There have been several authors who have written books doing their best to describe heaven, but I believe no matter how much study or effort they apply they will never come close to an accurate description. There have been a few who have died and returned who have attempted to describe heaven and what it’s like on the other side. From what I’ve read they haven’t said anything that I haven’t read in the Bible or heard in church. I can’t help but wonder why God would send someone now back with a message when He wouldn’t allow Paul to say anything and Paul was called up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:1-2 I believe it’s like trying to explain to a 2 year old toddler mathematical equations and formulas on quantum physics times a million. It can’t be done.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I don’t believe we have the mental or spiritual abilities to fathom the Glory of Heaven. There is not one of us who can fathom what it would be like to be completely set apart and free from sin. We can’t fathom what it would be like to be at total peace and free from hurt and pain. We have to accept there are some things we just can’t understand and “Know” that it’s a place where Jesus is and anticipate the wonders greater that we can imagine. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I do believe as we get older and have suffered many hurts and pains (physical and emotional) we have a greater longing for heaven. Young people don’t usually give eternity much thought simply because they haven’t suffered enough. A few months ago I was listening to some old hymns that were probably from the 1930’s and 40’s. I was intrigued that most of these hymns were about their longing for heaven. This was a time of great suffering in our country and people longed for release. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The physical characteristics of heaven are beyond beauty, but we have a mind that’s limited to enjoying this. I know it’s not one thing or the other, but everything together. I don’t believe I could ever come close to describing or dreaming about the wonders of heaven. Can you imagine what you will be doing a billion years from now? I can’t and it’s sort of a scary thought, but not as scary as hell. The greatest wonder of heaven is that we will be with Jesus forever. I don’t even believe we have the spiritual or mental capacity to understand that now and its importance. However, we will and we have to have faith and rest on this for now. All I know for now is that it’s going to be wonderful.</span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-33486206627243243822011-09-26T08:57:00.003-05:002011-09-26T09:02:24.834-05:00Love and Adversity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHjaynDM4vro-M5Ogb_gGt0JTdrzS6-X5MVVDqAK1-7wycHA83lgNgSaGvtMiDNo2CrKjZsp-DN8-epgQeAbIde47bjZWBCAOQl8KJUqw5E4z7zkvmWRErY52004tvN8s9kYY8c55OhgE/s1600/Love+and+Adversity.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 113px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHjaynDM4vro-M5Ogb_gGt0JTdrzS6-X5MVVDqAK1-7wycHA83lgNgSaGvtMiDNo2CrKjZsp-DN8-epgQeAbIde47bjZWBCAOQl8KJUqw5E4z7zkvmWRErY52004tvN8s9kYY8c55OhgE/s320/Love+and+Adversity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656668343313755810" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Many as well as I have fallen for the lie, “If I love them enough I know they will change.” This is nothing new and we continue to fall for this lie over and over again. If love was all it took to help someone to change, then we would all be perfect because God loves us unconditionally. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">First of all we must define love. Well, it’s has very little to do with emotions and has a lot to do with choice. Second, if we truly love someone we will always want to do what is best for them even if it hurts us and not what makes us feel good. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Many of us would do and give anything to help our children. It doesn’t matter if they are 10, 20 or 30 years old. We would give money we did or didn’t have or go way out of our way or make all kinds of sacrifices. I have to admit the main reasons we do this is because we don’t want to feel bad. My wife said this several years ago and I have to remind myself regularly. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">“Many of us are willing to do anything to help our (Spouse, Child or friend) however, are we willing to do nothing to help them.”</b> This is the place where we will find genuine love. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">It’s hard and it hurts, but we have to look at what’s best for them in the future and permanently not about making them or ourselves feel good for the moment. It’s like giving a heroin addict his fix. It helps him for the moment, but it’s only temporary. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18</i> The picture above I think addresses this perfectly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">As much as I hate to admit it, consequences and adversity do more to bring about change in us and others than what we call love. We cannot bargain with sin, we cannot make compromises and we definitely can’t befriend it. I’m afraid the only way sin can be removed from us is like surgery without anesthesia removing a life threatening cancer. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">So why don’t we decide to just quit sinning? How I wished it was that easy. As I said it has to be removed from us like a cancer. However, our part is to get on the operating table and let God remove it. The biggest problem is we live in denial or justification and refuse to agree with God that we have a problem. Neither God nor us can help anyone that doesn’t submit and surrender.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"> </p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-76498767907400206882011-09-26T08:46:00.005-05:002011-09-26T08:50:42.417-05:00Blessed Distractions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqAMbar2Ohs-mJlyphZ4Cbi3u-6I4wWf9tglVwSphl5KIKC4_dXYJRjcutM5HCVLzQwiXeu584idRdPbNH5VMDtlb753kQn6q-Boe6AQKTw6OyNh_j2R8gZQYA5JY51JbVdP4JSofeKDZ/s1600/Blessed+Distractions.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 170px;" 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0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" line-height: 115%; Times New Roman","serif";font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I am continually amazed when I see all the bountiful distractions satan has for us. Many of them seem so spiritual; however satan sets them in our path to get us off course and change our focus. I’ve seen people get angry and even fighting mad because others refuse to see their point of view. People are not only arguing, but developing groups in association with their beliefs. There are those who would ask you if you are Pre-trib, Mid-trib or Post-tribulation believers. Some of you may not even know what any of these mean. They’re asking, when do you believe Jesus is going to rapture His church? I even argued for pre-trib for a while until I realized it really wasn’t important and it was a distraction.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >There are those who go round and round over the Gap-Theory. If you don’t know what this is then I won’t tell you because you really don’t need to know because it’s not important and I don’t want to be the cause of any distractions and that’s all it is. I’m sure there are some who have argued if Adam had a belly button or not. There are many more out there.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I believe some get involved in these things simply because they like controversy or it’s a good way to act spiritual while running from their real issues and sin. I can’t help but think…There is so much God has clearly shown us in His Word so why do we get wrapped up in things that have no definite answers. I have plenty to do. It’s kind of like one of your children working on the lawnmower in the winter when their room needs to be clean.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >If someone ask me if I’m pre, mid or post I tell them that I know Jesus is coming back and when He does really doesn’t matter. We just need to be ready. Many times I get overwhelmed with all that the Bible tells me and I realize that there is no way I can do it and give up. Believe it or not that is the first step in walking with Jesus. When we realize it is above our ability to do this, then Jesus says, “Finally!” Now we’re at a place where He can start living through us. Phil. 4:13 This usually arrives between the ages of 40-50. When we have done all we can do and tried all we can try then we finally surrender to God.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >That was what the Law was for. It was to show us we need help and lots of it. It was not created for us to obtain to make us feel spiritual or to make us feel guilty, worthless or like failures, but to show us we couldn’t do it and our need for Jesus. Jesus consolidated everything for us to help us. This is step 2. It’s in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Matthew 22:37-40. <sup>37</sup> Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’<sup> 38</sup> This is the first and greatest commandment. <sup>39</sup> And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’<sup> 40</sup> <u>All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” </u></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >If you don’t think you love yourself then I would be glad to prove that you do.</span></p> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:20.0pt;" ></span></b>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-9938723346477995082011-09-19T09:59:00.003-05:002011-09-19T10:00:42.804-05:00Truth is our Friend<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwxH1soACU-EYn5lI-oEwO23phXS-upuKe4Fmy3LsbGOtYx7-wZWbvzbwVm8yfZwokkb3bnPUzvu7opVj06VG2pybEZG4CSYlw5nRD9WRPs0NYn7rlT_txm2ruVcrHh0MuEpNfJXrHwyz/s1600/Truth+is+our+Friend.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwxH1soACU-EYn5lI-oEwO23phXS-upuKe4Fmy3LsbGOtYx7-wZWbvzbwVm8yfZwokkb3bnPUzvu7opVj06VG2pybEZG4CSYlw5nRD9WRPs0NYn7rlT_txm2ruVcrHh0MuEpNfJXrHwyz/s320/Truth+is+our+Friend.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654085671957464194" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">M</span>any years ago on Christmas Eve Karen, Rusty and I flew to her parents for Christmas. Her Dad picked us up at the airport and when we were through celebrating he returned us to the airport and we started for home. Low clouds starting coming in around Mineola so I thought it was best we find a place to land. We landed at the Mineola airport and called a friend to see if he would let us stay the night which he did. The next morning it was a beautiful clear day and we headed back to McKinney to reload and head for Lamesa, Texas. This had always been a dream of mine to fly to Lamesa and “<u>nothing.</u>” was getting in the way of my dream.<br /><br /> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Before we left I called flight service to get a report on the weather and to my dismay things weren’t looking good. A cold front was coming in dropping temperatures, snow and the cloud ceiling was around 3000 feet 30 miles to the west of us. I walked outside and looked at the beautiful blue clear sky and figured they had to be wrong. I refused to believe the weather report because I was focused on my desire. We loaded up on the airplane and headed out and would you believe that the weather service was right. When we approached Denton we saw the front coming. I had to make a choice. Turn around, fly on top of the clouds hoping there would be a clear spot to go through when we arrived at Lamesa or fly under it. The ceiling was 3000 feet so I thought I would certainly be safe. So I persisted to go on despite all the warnings. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">When we were over Possum Kingdom Lake we started picking up ice and I got really nervous and decided we needed to find a place to land. I started out for Mineral Wells, but as I was turning around I saw an airport below us. I didn’t know what airport and really didn’t care. I just headed for it quickly as I could. It was Possum Kingdom.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">When we landed there was a shack with a heater in it so we camped out there for about an hour or so hoping the temp would rise and we could be on our way. Never did I consider returning home. The temperature finally got a few degrees above freezing so I thought we’d try to make it to Abilene. My navigation was off a little and we actually ended up in Sweetwater which was actually better. We landed there and called my folks and asked them to come get us. I got to thinking that if we could make it to Snyder that would save them a lot of time and it would be a very short flight for us so we agreed for them to get us in Snyder. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Something I soon realized after we left the ground in Sweetwater was that the cloud ceiling had not changed and was around 3200 feet. What I failed to realize is that the ground elevation continued to rise and we could only fly about 200 feet above the ground. At that altitude I knew that it could be very possible to fly into a tower or something. So I thought I’d better be safe and fly the highways to Snyder. (Safe?) </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">As we were headed down I20 from that perspective I wasn’t quite sure which exit to take to Snyder so Karen looked down and read the exit sign to Snyder and she said, “Snyder, that way.” So I took the exit following the road, every curve and bend because I wanted to be “safe.” I remember passing cars on the highway doing about 170 mph. Finally we saw Snyder and I had to leave the safety of the road to head for the airport, landed and parked the plane. Then we waited for my folks to arrive. I was exhausted! I think I finally quit shaking about half way to Lamesa. When we got to Lamesa it was cold and foggy. I am so glad I didn’t try to get all the way there. That was the first smart thing I did all day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">I could only stay a couple of days because I had to get back to work. The only problem it was snowing so I had to fly back on Southwest. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">I now know and even then I might have realized after the fact that this was an incredibly stupid and dangerous event that I not only put myself in, but my wife and son. Maybe you haven’t done this, but I would bet you have done something similar.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">There were several errors I made that day and they didn’t start with the flight. They actually started several years ago when I was a teenager. Every summer I tried to get a job at the Lamesa airport. Of course, I never did because there really wasn’t anything to do there. I used to go out there trying to watch airplanes fly and dream of being a pilot flying in and out of that airport. Once I got my pilot’s license that had become my focus for a long time. I thought the day had come for me to fulfill my dream, but it hadn’t.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">My dream had turned from a dream to a determination and obsession. Nothing was going to get in my way, not even God. He taught me different. Have you ever had this kind of obsession and everywhere you turned you ran into a locked door or road block? I should have learned from this, but through my life I have tried to force myself through many doors. There are times when we need to try door after door and keep searching, but there are many times when we need to pull back and ask God what He wants.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Many think God’s Word is about rules and regulations when in reality it’s warnings and danger signs. It’s Truth! When we get so caught up in the many lies in our life as well as the many that are being fed to us, it’s so refreshing to know that our Lord deals only in truth. However, just like I ignored all the warning signs the trip could have ended in disaster. How many interpret the Bible as don’t do what you like and do the things you don’t like. For many years my life was full of disasters because I didn’t heed the warning signs. The first step is learning the warning signs. The only person at fault was mine because I didn’t learn the warning signs or refused to listen to them. Such as, “Highly Explosive: Handle with Care!!!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">This story is about arrogant youth, but also pride. I was determined to get my way even if it killed me. Fortunately my loving Father had mercy on me and protected us even though I didn’t deserve it and got us there and back safely. I wonder sometimes if Karen and Rusty wouldn’t have been in the plane God wouldn’t have let me crash. It reminds me about a man who was on a commercial plane and was real nervous. The passenger tried to assure him that if it was not your time to die it didn’t matter where you were at. He said, “Yeah, but what if it’s not my time but it’s the pilot’s time to die?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:13-17</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">I’m learning that God will allow us to have certain things in our life, but it is always based on His timing and not ours. A year or so later after this event I had to fly to Amarillo on commercial and pick up an airplane and take it back to McKinney. When we were flying in to Amarillo I noticed we had to dodge several thunderstorms getting in. I wasn’t too keen on flying back knowing had this to look forward to. The man who picked me up felt it would be wise for me to stay overnight. I had a wonderful idea and told him I would fly down to Lamesa and stay overnight there and head back in the morning. I didn’t get very far before I ran into another line of thunderstorms and had to turn around and go back. So I spent the night in Amarillo.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">I really began to think that God wasn’t ever going to let me fly into Lamesa so I had finally let this desire go. One time when we were visiting in Lamesa there a man I used to work for really loved flying and asked me if I would take him flying. I told him I’d love to, but there were no airplanes in Lamesa to rent. So we went to Midland and he rented a plane for us and guess what, “I got to fly into Lamesa and land.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“For my thoughts are <b>not</b> <b>your</b> thoughts, neither are <b>your</b> <b>ways</b> my <b>ways</b>,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"> </p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-24990271133779589222011-09-12T15:47:00.004-05:002011-09-12T15:48:39.874-05:00From the Heart<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-kmBqxZi3c3P4eVPOxfho7LZWo14OGwjtSq-tAJeepB3MsCQou6ojRM49hdfEpIM6bKbGlheLxZ7RgSQg7LGjiV7sBTCbuk21o-AmSxbfMH-GPlTj9gmZmWTVHNY9telRfqURH79WMHH/s1600/From+the+Heart.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-kmBqxZi3c3P4eVPOxfho7LZWo14OGwjtSq-tAJeepB3MsCQou6ojRM49hdfEpIM6bKbGlheLxZ7RgSQg7LGjiV7sBTCbuk21o-AmSxbfMH-GPlTj9gmZmWTVHNY9telRfqURH79WMHH/s320/From+the+Heart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651577634073668466" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">I</span>’ve been writing Bus Stops for 3 years now this September. What I’ve written about has been situations that I’ve struggled with presently or throughout my life. I’ve always tried to write straight from my heart and based on what God has to say about these circumstances in His Word.<br /><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">I don’t write these just for venting and expressing my opinion, but to share my failures and successes in hopes that you might find some answers as well from my experiences. I know that sometimes a certain one doesn’t apply to you, but the next one may.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">This last week I have been trying to write and nothing happened. Usually when I write they just flow and are completed within 15 - 30 minutes. The reason I believe I’m struggling now is my heart has been empty. It’s been full of cynicism, apathy and a feeling of what’s the use. I’ve wrestled with the fear of disappointment all my life. So I fall into a belief that if I don’t try and can’t be disappointed. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">Now I know all of this is a lie and nonsense. Nevertheless I sometimes do get overwhelmed with these feelings. Sometimes scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11 or Philippians 4:13 just make me angry instead of encouraged. Do any of you feel like this sometimes?</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">I’ve heard these verses used like catch phrases in a motivational seminar. If that is the way they are taught then that’s all they’ll ever be. All of God’s word cannot be interpreted in the mind, but only through our hearts. There are verses I’ve known since I was young that had no meaning until one day God spoke to me in a certain situation revealing in my heart a particular verse.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">I know that God doesn’t work in the area of feelings, but only in the area of truth. Just because I feel a certain way rarely has nothing to do with the truth. There are many who have made a religion from following their feelings. That’s why I have to deny the lies of satan and return to the truth.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">There are certain lies in our life that satan continues to perpetuate over and over. Why? Because they work! However, each time we deny those lies and move on we grow a little further away from them and closer to the truth. I know I feel really stupid each time I’m sucked into these negative tapes. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify">The only escape I’ve ever found is to believe the truth whether I feel in or not. If we believe the lie then we will begin to behave in that way. So why do we believe the lie? Simply because it’s easier. I know I’ve used this verse before and I know that I will use it again, but it is so true. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32</i></b></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-43318654617052867802011-09-05T08:45:00.004-05:002011-09-05T09:04:15.430-05:00Progressive Sin<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYifY8dUwuqGTHUhHxYvN1EirTGV9vIdHQ2GxmHsAdrrXSHImZKY5Z8N_atDsQx9vyY2TQyjvTuO519SgBStdTWmfh0-NN978goBNGOgKlg3H6veihBjxcNeql0DAKQOATYF2opp5So5j/s1600/Progressive+Sin.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 223px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYifY8dUwuqGTHUhHxYvN1EirTGV9vIdHQ2GxmHsAdrrXSHImZKY5Z8N_atDsQx9vyY2TQyjvTuO519SgBStdTWmfh0-NN978goBNGOgKlg3H6veihBjxcNeql0DAKQOATYF2opp5So5j/s320/Progressive+Sin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5648875743195074114" border="0" /></a><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" ><span style="text-decoration: underline;">R</span>ecently one of the courses my wife had in school was investigative accounting. In other words, it was learning how to catch the embezzler among other things. It was interesting to me how most if not all situations were similar. The culprit would borrow $20 out of petty cash in desperation to pay for something and then they would return it in a few days or weeks. No one would even notice and so this would be the beginning of much more to come. Being the accountant or bookkeeper of the business they started discovering new ways to borrow/embezzle/steal money by simply changing things in their books. At first they always had “good intentions” of returning the money until they realized they had stolen over half a million dollars. Then they couldn’t find a way out.
<br />
<br /></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Through all of this they somehow discovered justifications for every dime they took. Even when they bought their daughter a new car, needed a boat, new clothes or paid their son’s tuition through college and anything else they just had to have. Eventually they are always caught and faced with pay it back or jail time.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >This is progressive sin and we are all guilty of it, maybe not to that extreme, but guilty. It may be a bite of ice cream, glance at a dirty picture, or one little lie and so on. I remember when I was in high school I would cut class. The next day I would sweat the entire day wondering when I was going to get called to the principal’s office. If I didn’t get in trouble for several days then I would try it again and again until I got busted. After everything cooled off the process would start all over again.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >In my experience falling into sin is not a cliff or a fireman’s pole, but more of a spiraling staircase. One step at a time. This is how Satan tempts us to commit sin is by nudging us little by little until it’s too late. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The chronic gambler, serial killer, rapist, or burglar started out one step at a time. If they weren’t discovered, then they would attempt it again and again. I would hope that none of you struggle with any of these things. However, we all struggle with something.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The bottom line and the main point I’d like to make is the reason most people choose to do right has nothing to do with moral beliefs or integrity, but fear of getting caught. It’s like when our parents caught us doing something wrong we weren’t upset at what we did as much as were about getting caught. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I believe I said in a previous Bus Stop if you wanted to see the full depravity of man all we would have to do is do away with the laws for 3 days. No one have to answer for anything they did during these 3 days. I think we would all be amazed of what we saw. It’s already happened in many countries, especially during war time. The Nazi forces could do whatever they wished; rape, pillage and murder with no consequence for anything they did. The Japanese did the same thing during WWII as well as Saddam Hussein and his sons and many, many more. They had no law or were above the law. Of course, there is consequence eventually. We know how it ended for all of them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. James 1:15</span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p> The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-58842992772508016802011-08-29T09:16:00.002-05:002011-08-29T09:18:17.034-05:00Get Over It!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigumV31rv6Px46Hngvdrkc_fQhOH7kRrYKn-8cRlVJY8-Aj3BNzYoS8LclV2k6S8MUgyhoOJR7ZQ9DxBMUnKlMWHWK5I62IxQlhI8L05jIO-KEc71BSVjGrg804PMtNiYVlWPEkiwnaeFt/s1600/Get+Over+It.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigumV31rv6Px46Hngvdrkc_fQhOH7kRrYKn-8cRlVJY8-Aj3BNzYoS8LclV2k6S8MUgyhoOJR7ZQ9DxBMUnKlMWHWK5I62IxQlhI8L05jIO-KEc71BSVjGrg804PMtNiYVlWPEkiwnaeFt/s320/Get+Over+It.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646281928642633474" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >You’re a marine and you just landed on Omaha Beach. Bullets are flying all around you as well as bombs exploding all around. As you are lying down under cover, the sergeant yells, “Move out!” However, you stay right where you are. The sergeant comes over to you and asks, “What’s wrong private?” You tell him, “I just feel like I’m not supposed to be here and I want to go home.” Immediately the sergeant calls the company psychologist over to help you work through your problems. NO! He would tell you to get your butt moving, because if you don’t soon you’re not going to feel anything.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >This is where I lived for many years, stuck and not going anywhere while bombs were exploding all around me. I was afraid to move forward and was always looking to the past for comfort. Even though my past had many hardships there were no surprises there. I was stuck in my comfort zone. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The other day I got to thinking about the veterans of WWII and the horrors they were exposed to and the tragic things they witnessed. When they came home they fell right back into civilian life leaving the war behind. They got jobs, went back to the farm and worked, got married and raised families. My dad was in the worst part of the war. He was in the infantry that was a part of the Normandy invasion. He almost froze to death during the Battle of the Bulge. I would have never even known my dad was in the war except he told me. He as well as many of the veterans rarely talked about it. I wasn’t that interested back then, but oh how I wished I could ask him many questions now.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >During Vietnam and now you have many soldiers that come back with PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). Why? I asked an old WWII veteran what his thoughts were concerning this. He said that during WWII they knew their purpose and why they were there. There were fronts and they knew who they were fighting. In the other wars everything is not as defined and they see no purpose. Maybe they do at the beginning, but they see no end. Do you realize we been over in Iraq and Afghanistan for almost 10 years.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I don’t know if this is the reason or not, but the main difference I see is the WWII veterans moved on. If we live in the past we get stale, bitter and stagnate. Many don’t want to move on because it gives them excuses and justification to do the things they want to do. As long as we blame the course of our lives on past circumstances, such as parents, abuse, hardships and hurts of all kinds we will be stuck and never mature. It’s time to GET OVER IT! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 </span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I’ve attached an Eagles song and/or lyrics that I feel is appropriate. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Lyrics - <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><a href="http://www.lyrics007.com/Eagles%20Lyrics/Get%20Over%20It%20Lyrics.html">http://www.lyrics007.com/Eagles%20Lyrics/Get%20Over%20It%20Lyrics.html</a> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Song<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>- </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kslHr7_9Zac"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";" >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kslHr7_9Zac</span></a></span><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" ><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-59160810246022206312011-08-25T10:01:00.004-05:002011-08-25T10:04:45.731-05:00What is Reality?<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvq0zUiaZWZbVHy6TebL33BOhqumAvfqgOO_Ql1hv7hpszASpjHQyxEkMSZF3pDXovlklSqAVZPiikIGIIUXr3a5PFCYwFPbMVkxvL4Qf2Zyckj7I1QzTqTMP6SdMa_0SKGXljYRzmLDD/s1600/What+is+Reality.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvq0zUiaZWZbVHy6TebL33BOhqumAvfqgOO_Ql1hv7hpszASpjHQyxEkMSZF3pDXovlklSqAVZPiikIGIIUXr3a5PFCYwFPbMVkxvL4Qf2Zyckj7I1QzTqTMP6SdMa_0SKGXljYRzmLDD/s320/What+is+Reality.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644809398976736210" border="0" /></a><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >This is a fairly broad question for many people. Some believe what they can see and hear is reality while others believe in many alternate realities. It’s really sad when those who believe this is all there is and all that will ever be. When you die you go to the dirt and that’s all there is. This is why so many are driven by money and materialism. They think there is only one shot and they are going to get all they can and enjoy life to the fullest.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Matthew 16:26
<br />
<br /></i></span> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >In the last few years my body has been falling apart. Every time I turn around it seems like something else is going wrong. If I believed this was all there was, then I would probably fall into a very serious depression or do some really crazy things. I know this body is only temporary and one day I will be free of this confinement. I work with some elderly people and it makes me feel fortunate that I don’t have as many issues as they have now, but it’s not enough. It’s a glorious thought when I know this is not reality. Eternity is reality.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I’m amazed even at myself when I’ve invested so much into the secular life. I know we have to provide a living and there are certain rules of our natural lives we have to follow, but to become committed to this life believing that this is all there is. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >The truth is that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the reality and everything else is fantasy. When we become absorbed into this world it only stands to reason that it takes so little to crush us. Any type of hardship or adversity sends us into a tailspin. This is why alcohol, drugs and other man made devices are so popular. If I believed this was all there was I would be tempted to the same devices. Psychiatrist, psychologist, counselors and doctors are having a field day with people who put their all they are into this life.</span></p> The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-70198051654519246762011-08-24T09:05:00.006-05:002011-08-24T09:11:07.097-05:00Time to Grow Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Rw1agjJHDNNE5yNjtOrmaL-i1PRme7z9rrnljKRr-lGSzNPu3zw_iniHu0TbiiSMjFsZ4Xli9-twQw2eYUDsm3PPyWp5PIplPefhoK-TwHJPvJc_RQjKmzloupmfRU6m2krDt8xQT6b5/s1600/Time+to+Grow+Up.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Rw1agjJHDNNE5yNjtOrmaL-i1PRme7z9rrnljKRr-lGSzNPu3zw_iniHu0TbiiSMjFsZ4Xli9-twQw2eYUDsm3PPyWp5PIplPefhoK-TwHJPvJc_RQjKmzloupmfRU6m2krDt8xQT6b5/s320/Time+to+Grow+Up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644424429338461826" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >When I think back to the vacations that we as a family went on when the children were young I wonder how Karen and I survived. As much fun as we had and the experiences I also remember, the fights in the back seat, are we there yet, noise, and I need to go to potty. I’m sure you had your own special situations. Not only did you experience these situations on vacations, but also in other places.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Even though we enjoy our children so much when they are infants and we may even made the remark, “I wished they would stay this way forever.” We know this isn’t a true statement. After many sleepless nights of feeding and changing diapers we are ready to move on.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >By the time they are teenagers we are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel awaiting graduation and having peace and control over our house again. When we realize this is not the light we hoped for, then death starts becoming attractive.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Now imagine that your children never grew up and never matured. It really doesn’t matter what age. It could be 0 – 18 and this is not a place any of us wished they would stay. If you do wish for this then you need to take a look at yourself. If our children never matured you would probably see more suicides and murders.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >I have come across many adults that are stuck in their childhood and never matured. They are extremely dangerous to themselves and others. Like a 4 year old with a loaded pistol. They are everywhere, in our churches, our jobs and in our government. They get married, appointed to high positions, managers of business and leaders in our churches. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >These people moan, groan and complain and are full of themselves. They are also very gullible and can be drawn to disaster. There are predators out there that prey on these people, by taking advantage of them by conning them out of their money, drawing them into cults and leading them easily from the path of truth.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">If we refuse to grow up and open our eyes to God’s truth, then we can very likely be the next victims. We may not have a choice about birth, but we are responsible to grow up. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">“No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.” Ephesians 4:14-16 </i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p> The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-29849862876646434462011-08-01T14:03:00.003-05:002011-08-01T14:05:55.022-05:00<!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:targetscreensize>800x600</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> 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unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="">The New and Impr</b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">oved</b></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Ten Commandments</b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4tC85zVQLAqSYdf1qd7zSqGpZemskoLHPTTHwfNauLQoLYCv0edOnuIxnt3MnzqsgIOQ26l34CjXVCwpRMQmA-Hf16119GRYwVa4GdcthTVqgY3M2Sjs9qqNFr1PPulAZ4T9LaATFhig/s1600/ten+commandments.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4tC85zVQLAqSYdf1qd7zSqGpZemskoLHPTTHwfNauLQoLYCv0edOnuIxnt3MnzqsgIOQ26l34CjXVCwpRMQmA-Hf16119GRYwVa4GdcthTVqgY3M2Sjs9qqNFr1PPulAZ4T9LaATFhig/s320/ten+commandments.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635965561508454114" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="color:#222222;">ONE</span></b><span style="color:#222222;">: </span><span style="color:blue;">'<i>You shall have no other gods before Me</i></span><i><span style="color:#222222;">.</span></i>' Isn’t it<span style="color:#222222;"> possible that God goes by many names and to believe your God is the only one is arrogant. I believe that science is the modern answer to all questions. I believe God was a creation of man to help him deal with life’s problems.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">TWO</b>: </span><span style="color:blue;">'<i>You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.</i>'</span><span style="color:#222222;"> If people need something tangible to look at or some kind of pendant to help them then it’s not necessarily idol worship.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">THREE</b>: </span><span style="color:blue;">'<i>You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.</i></span><span style="color:#222222;">' I know you don’t really mean what you are saying, it just helps you to express your feelings better.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">FOUR</b></span><span style="color:blue;">: '<i>Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.</i>'</span><span style="color:#222222;"> If you have to work six days a week then you deserve to live it up on your day off and why should you have to spend this time sitting in church.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">FIVE</b></span><span style="color:blue;">: '<i>Honor your father and your mother.</i>'</span><span style="color:#222222;"> Only if they deserve it.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">SIX</b>: </span><span style="color:blue;">'<i>You shall not murder.</i>' </span><span style="color:#222222;">This is what makes you a good person. However, if you do, make sure you have a good reason.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">SEVEN</b>: </span><span style="color:blue;">'<i>You shall not commit adultery.</i>' </span><span style="color:#222222;">You’re only human and I know you have needs. Get divorced first is the best way to handle this, but who am I to judge.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">EIGHT</b></span><span style="color:blue;">: '<i>You shall not steal.</i>' </span><span style="color:#222222;">It’s not really stealing if someone accidentally gives you too much change or if you find it. Consider it a blessing from God.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">NINE</b>: </span><span style="color:blue;">'<i>You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.</i>'</span><span style="color:#222222;"> Lying is a natural part of life and we are all guilty so who am I to judge.<br /><br /><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">TEN</b>: </span><span style="color:blue;">'<i>You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.</i>' </span><span style="color:#222222;">We all need to have dreams and I don’t see anything wrong with having a dream to do better for yourself.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We always have to remember it has nothing to do with our interpretations or personal beliefs. We can distort the truth and rearrange it to our liking, but in the end the only thing that really matters is the real truth and what God thinks.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period. James 2:8-11</i></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-8065039479278992892011-08-01T13:55:00.003-05:002011-08-01T14:01:59.860-05:00A Little Justification<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9spurmc5TUCATQInjUMgkJUGAYYT0jFmKQT37BkzZEiDsZ-4kyVPbdPsdxeoYqCou5qtVgDEDPn712mEKe6wXqL4Dcqx_c78xuAsr9aReCwjlZPo1G9mX_CReCJiDoZ6YvqrBsxdM0mN/s1600/A+Little+Justification.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 114px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9spurmc5TUCATQInjUMgkJUGAYYT0jFmKQT37BkzZEiDsZ-4kyVPbdPsdxeoYqCou5qtVgDEDPn712mEKe6wXqL4Dcqx_c78xuAsr9aReCwjlZPo1G9mX_CReCJiDoZ6YvqrBsxdM0mN/s320/A+Little+Justification.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635964578832133426" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height:115%;Plantagenet Cherokee","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >It has been said that diet drinks make you gain weight. Think about it. Have you ever seen a skinny person drinking diet drinks? I don’t know if there is a physiological result in this, but I know there is a psychological reason behind it. A diet drink will make a person feel justified in eating more because they believe that the diet drink balances the food they eat, but they keep gaining weight. It’s the sin nature in us that makes us think this way<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Galatians 5:9</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Plantagenet Cherokee","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >It continues to amaze me how little justification we need to sin. If we don’t have the justification, then we seek it. There are people who feel justified to steal from where they work because they feel they should be making more money. There are men and women who look for faults in their spouse to justify having an affair and there are many who continue to blame their parents so they can justify the shape their life is in. These are just a few examples.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Plantagenet Cherokee","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >Instead of trying to justify our sin and behavior we need to just admit to God that we’ve have sinned and we are sinners. We can’t do this only with the mouth, but we have to confess from our hearts. That’s the difficult part. It’s no different as telling a sibling to apologize to their sister/brother for hitting them and they say, “Sorry.” You know they didn’t mean it and it didn’t come from their heart<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">For with the heart</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;Plantagenet Cherokee","serif"font-family:";font-size:100%;" >God will not get serious with us until we get serious we Him.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-16162497964113397512011-08-01T13:39:00.004-05:002011-08-01T13:52:51.863-05:00Compartmentalization<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23JTwqspkSkz_3Rllp-GK1OjbkZdCSkmVXce33OEKGZfJeRaIx4QPTO-CLlOpRBl_Z_FhX7gKDzeJymiQ-xL5P-E3SZvB9RStKLdV-hQUx0rOsr6A-sz7VhPcj-ZZ1VH32-Q0PNrZRvOB/s1600/Compartmentalization.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 170px;" 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10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1027"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" line-height: 115%;font-size:100%;" >I know you are all surprised that that I know such a big word. I am too. It’s a word I learned a few years ago and I think I’m just starting to understand it. We may not know it, but we all compartmentalize. We put sections of our life in different categories and arranged them in order of priority. Such as: Family, job, finances, recreation and entertainment, friends, house and car maintenance and church.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >For the most part this is wise unless our priorities get out of order. Our job should never come before our family. I know there are circumstances when it may be necessary because without a job it’s difficult to support your family. Our entertainment and wants should never come before out finances. That’s called responsibility. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >We never need to make our family our job or even recreation a job. What about church? Going to church and doing things at the church should be an area in our compartments. Remember the church isn’t our life; it’s somewhere we go for learning and worshipping.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >However, our Christian faith and Jesus should not only be a part of our church responsibility. Our faith should encompass all areas of our lives. Our Christian faith should be our life and go wherever we go with the Holy Spirit leading us and influencing us along our path with our family, job, finances, our recreation and so on. I’ve seen too many combine their Christian life only with church and they take it off as soon as they walk out the door. Christianity is not something we do, but what we are.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >I think this is what King Solomon was saying here.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:100%;" >There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:<br /><br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> <sup> </sup><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A right time for birth and another for death,<br /> A right time to plant and another to reap,<br /> A right time to kill and another to heal,<br /> A right time to destroy and another to construct,<br /> A right time to cry and another to laugh,<br /> A right time to lament and another to cheer,<br /> A right time to make love and another to abstain,<br /> A right time to embrace and another to part,<br /> A right time to search and another to count your losses,<br /> A right time to hold on and another to let go,<br /> A right time to rip out and another to mend,<br /> A right time to shut up and another to speak up,<br /> A right time to love and another to hate,<br /> A right time to wage war and another to make peace. </i></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";" >Ecclesiastes 3:1-8</span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style=" line-height:115%;font-size:12.0pt;" > </span></p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9011629023086603708.post-72668797389640302882011-08-01T13:32:00.004-05:002011-08-01T13:36:17.170-05:00Our Need for Justice<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXMQX6fmM4cK4cny8k2X3VQyF2Vb2LEp0cuED19_oHhE4xbADyRxwHt1ULsOVdxSV3o45JVGew5QPDJ-KtKDfQCffWf_06YXwFzNAwnHZZZWt2hgXMRCffZmQyURQBXdY6Pm2EAFswF2q/s1600/Our+Need+for+Justice.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 121px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXMQX6fmM4cK4cny8k2X3VQyF2Vb2LEp0cuED19_oHhE4xbADyRxwHt1ULsOVdxSV3o45JVGew5QPDJ-KtKDfQCffWf_06YXwFzNAwnHZZZWt2hgXMRCffZmQyURQBXdY6Pm2EAFswF2q/s320/Our+Need+for+Justice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635957738732081762" border="0" /></a>Planted deep within all of us is a need for justice. I know many of you have seen movies that create a desire for us to see the villain get what’s coming to him in the end. They usually have him die some horrific death to please the audience. If he escapes, then it leaves us with an emptiness and anger. It could also mean there is going to be a sequel.<br /><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> In real life I know there are stories of someone being arrested of a horrible crime such as raping and murdering a little girl. They have indisputable evidence, but it becomes inadmissible because they misspelled his name on the arrest form. I don’t know of a specific situation at this time, but I know it has happened. Many despicable people have been released due to crooked judges. This is where vigilantes come from.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> I recently watched the documentary called Auschwitz. Auschwitz was one of the major death camps of WWII. The horrors there were unprecedented. Rudolf Hess was the commandant of this camp. He testified that over 3 million people (mostly Jews) were executed there. They were executed for no other reason than for being a Jew. After he was hanged for his war crimes one man said, “It really doesn’t seem to be much justice. One man for 3 million.” Cowards like Adolf Hitler took their own lives so they didn’t have to face judgment. This infuriated many people.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> The one thing we have to remember is NO ONE escapes judgment. Some may escape it while on this earth, but all of us will stand before God. For those in Christ will stand judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written:<br /> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">“ As</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">I live, says the LORD,</span><br /> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">Every knee shall bow to Me,</span><br /> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">And every tongue shall confess to God.”</span> So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in <span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic">our</span> brother’s way.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Romans 14:10-13</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">Those without Christ will stand before The Great White Throne Judgment. I pray that none of you are in the latter. There will not be any greater horrifying judgment than this ever. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. <sup>15</sup> And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11 & 15</i></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"> There has always been injustice in this world we live in. The greatest injustice ever was when they crucified Jesus. A perfect man, who never committed a sin, loved all and was mutilated for our sins. I’m so grateful He did this for me, but not how He had to do it for me. Our need for justice I believe is something that God implanted within all of us and someday we will all see perfect justice.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"> </p>The Bus Stophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14857587960724820477noreply@blogger.com0