Sunday, March 9, 2008

Reader Beware

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain - if indeed it was in vain?
Galatians 3:2-4

Can we be real here?
I mean..can I be honest and transparent for a moment? Can I ask you a question and are you willing to think about it and give me an honest answer?
Are you weary?

Does it seem like you are walking a treadmill that goes nowhere? Come on, be honest, lay aside everything you think you know and forget the stock answers.
Are you weary?

OK, here is a shocker (or not)- I am weary!
Yep, you heard it first, from the person you thought had it all together.
The Bible says confess your sins so that you may be healed. Being weary is not a sin. What you do when you are weary could lead to sin, if you turn from God and ignore the convictions.

I work a secular job. Most of the people I work with are "good" people and I have really come to care about most of them. As far as I know, I am the only believer- or should I say, practicing believer (if that is a correct term) I am lonely and I am struggling.
(*OK, a note/warning here for the RELIGIOUS people: This blog entry could upset you and tempt you to stone me, so hit the x button now)
Can we just be real! Can we take off those stinking plastic masks and reveal our imperfect selves, our humanity, and be OK with it? Can we just deal with it for Pete's sake. (who is Pete anyway?)

Do you ever feel like you are juggling raw eggs with your Christian walk? Ever get tired of saying "I am fine" when you know you aren't? This is too much pressure and it is pressure that we have put on ourselves because we have allowed ourselves to be indoctrinated with with false gospel. We my have started off right, but somewhere along the way, we took a wrong turn. Paul said it best when he asked,"...who bewitched you...?"

I have deleted most of what I wrote, because I guess I am too afraid of dropping my eggs, though what I really want to do is throw them at the wall. Religion stinks! And I long for my Jesus to once again reach down and pick me up and wipe me off and cradle me in His arms, so close I can hear His heart beat, and remind me once again that He has not forgotten me- again and again and again- because He is faithful, even when I am not.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Spring Fever

What a fantastic way to wake up in the morning, to the sounds of birds singing. The sun is out and it is just a little chilly, but not too chilly. I have my windows open, a little, to let some fresh air in and so I can hear the birds better. If Tim were home he would most likely be closing the windows behind me.
It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day. Too bad it is Monday and I have to go to work. I hope you are all enjoying your day.
I found this prayer in my book, Prayers That Avail Much by Germaine Copeland and I want to share it with you. I am just feeling really thankful today and I wanna love on God, so I hope you join with me...

Our Father, which art in heaven, hollowed be Thy name.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless Yur holy name. I adore You and make known to You my adoration and love this day.

I bless Your name, Elohim, the Creator of heaven and earth, Who is in the beginning. It is You Who made me, and You have crowned me with glory and honor. You are the God of might and strength, hallowed be Thy name!

I bless Your name, El-Shaddai, the God almighty of blessings. You are the Breasty One Who nourishes and supplies. You are all- bountiful and all-sufficient. Hallowed be Thy name!

I bless Your name, Adonai, my Lord and my Master. You are Jehovah- the completely Self-Existing One, always present, revealed in Jesus, Who is the same yestarday, today, and forever. Hallowed be Thy name!

I bless Your name, Jehovah-Jireh, the One who sees my needs and provides for them. Hallowed be Thy name!

I bless Your name, Jehovah-Rapha, my Healer and the One who makes bitter experiences sweet. You sent Your Word and healed me. You forgave all my iniquities and You healed all my diseases. Hallowed be Thy name!

I bless Your name, Jehovah-M'Kaddesh, the Lord my Sanctifier. You have set me apart for Yourself. Hallowed be Thy name!

Jehovah-Shalom, I bless Your name. You are my Peace- the peace that transcends all understanding, which garrisons and mounts guard over my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Hallowed be Thy name!

I bless You, Jehovah-Tsidkenu, my Righteousness. Thank You for becoming sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Hallowed be Thy name!

Jehovah-Rohi, You are my Shepard, and I shall not want for any good or beneficial thing. Hallowed be Thy name!

Hallelujah to Jehovah-Shammah, the One Who will never leave or forsake me. You are always there. I take comfort and am encouraged and confidently and boldly say, the Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm- I will not fear or dread or be terrified. What can man do to me? Hallowed be Thy name!

I worship and adore You, El-Elyon, the Most high God, Who is the First Cause of everything, the Possessor of heavens and earth. You are the everlasting God, the great God, the living God, the merciful God, the faithful God, the mighty God. You are Truth, Justice, Righteousness and Perfection. You are El-Elyon- the highest Sovereign of the heavens and the earth. Hallowed be Thy name!

Father, You have exalted above all else Yur name and Your Word, and You have magnified Your Word above all Your name! The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and His name is Jesus! Hallowed be Thy name!
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Who is God to you today?