Are You a Seeker?

Are you a seeker of truth? Do you want to experience it now, or get your self realization from seeking truth? What truth are you seeking? Many people view truth as an abstract concept that even apart from the human experience has nothing to do with the divine. In worldly terms truth may be relative to the perceived reality of an individual.

As Christians our point of reference always goes back to Jesus Christ, " Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. " John 14:6

There is a great revelation for those who seek this truth. Prayer is the way to greater understanding. There is a relationship with God for those willing to seek after it. This is not a shallow relationship, and the means to achieving this relationship is not easy. Prayer and fasting brings the body into subjection, humbles the spirit, and opens the mind to great possibilities for the believer and seeker.

When I was young many people would seek for the Holy Ghost. At the end of the sermon the seekers would come to the altars (in those days we had real altar benches where people actually prayed and travailed before the Lord in tears with moaning and groaning). You don't see many seekers these days...

I don't believe we have to go back to brush arbor days for people to be saved, but the same fire, determination, and sorrow for sin must be the catalyst to inspire people to seek the Lord. I am not speaking of a dreadful fire and brimstone pounding of fear into people that brings them to the Lord in fear for their very life. We know hell is there for the lost, but Jesus offers so much more than a bare minimum experience to experience hell fire. If that is what you think salvation is about then you have barely scratched the surface in your seeking for God.

It is still possible to have a fire in your soul to learn more about God. You can still have as much of God as you want to have. Many are satisfied to know that God is love and that he loves everybody. I am happy that God loves everybody, but I do not see why I have to limit myself to the shallow waters of knowledge when God is deep, powerful, and willing to share himself with every one who seeks Him.

I am a seeker of truth. I want to get it now! My self realization comes from the experience and knowledge God gives me every day as I walk with him.

Blessings!

Perception is Reality

When I was young I heard my elders say, "You know, that just does not look right." In business we say, "That does not pass the smell test." Both of these statements mean the same thing. Something is not right about the situation. Many times we listen to the words of those around us and somehow manage to get the message confused. We do not hear what the person is trying to say, but hear what we think they said.

Sadly enough, this happens more often than not. The truth about reality is that it changes from person to person depending on the personal experiences and lifestyle events of each individual in the mix. Keeping the story straight can be a problem if two people whose point of reference is so different that they talk but do not understand each other.

As Christians, it is our responsibility to look beyond appearances to find the real person beneath the layers of defensiveness and pain that passes for self-assurance. It is easy to believe the worst about a person because of the way they look. We forget that appearances are deceiving and everything about a person may not be revealed the first time we meet.

We as Christians have a wonderful opportunity to change ourselves first, and then show the love of God to the world around us. We have an obligation to allow the reflection of the Grace of God to show through us to the world and everyone with whom we come in contact. It will be difficult sometimes because of the perception that some people have about Christians and who Christians really are.

Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

The Great Commission that Jesus gave to his followers in Mark did not mean that we should take a sledge hammer or a sword to everyone who refused to believe in Him. That is not the way of Jesus Christ. Jesus offered a better way.

Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Try to show forth the love of God in your life and allow the perception you want people to have of who you are become a reality. The more you try to live like Jesus Christ, the more people will see Jesus in you. It is not necessary to proclaim to the world that you are a Christian. If you are a Christian they will know it soon enough.

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

This morning President Obama signed the first bill of his administration. Lilly Ledbetter worked at her job for twenty years and then found out that the men with whom she worked in the same position had earned more money than she had earned during those years. Her financial losses were more than $200,000.00 dollars not including pension and retirement funds. Ms. Ledbetter took her law suit to the Supreme Court who decided against her. Determined to seek equal pay for others in spite of losing her own rights, Ms. Ledbetter sought to have the equal pay provision signed into law. This morning President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law.

Congratulations are due to Ms. Ledbetter on this happy occasion. It is difficult to believe in this twenty-first century that there are those who continue to believe that hard working women should be paid less than a man doing the same job. Women are dedicated employees who earn their money exactly the same as a man. It is shocking that we must have this conversation that should have been put behind us long ago.

It is understandable that businesses may feel that this opens them up to law suits and losses, but they can avoid such losses by operating within the law and treating everyone equally in the matter of pay.

As a Christian I congratulate President Obama and my prayers are with him as he charts his course during the difficult days ahead.

Our New President

This week our country inaugerated the 44th president of the United States of America. This is an historic occasion. Supporters of this president are still celebrating the beginning of a new era…a new world. As the first African-American president in this country, President Obama will have a special place in the history books that no other can claim. We congratulate the new president and his supporters who worked long and hard to make his presidency happen.

Those of us who were not supporters of President Obama are trying to find our place in this new administration. As concerned Christian voters who have been labeled ‘the religious right’, we are looking for signs that President Obama will offer hope to all Americans; not just those who support his positions. And it is the left leaning, progressive stance that this president champions that causes consternation among christian voters.

As a white, southern, Christian, I want to state for the record that I am not against this president because his skin is black. I am completely aware of this moment in history and although I do not share the black experience, close association with my black friends and co-workers has made me aware of the day to day small indignities endured by black Americans. I am constantly appalled by the manner in which some of the best people in the world are treated.

No, my concerns are strictly about his core values and beliefs. The media made light of the long term relationship with Pastor Jeremiah Wright and dismissed concerns as trivial and vicious right wing attacks. I sincerely hope that my fears that President Obama shares the views of his former pastor about black theology and black/white issues will prove to be false. I find it hard to believe that a man who sat on the pews of this church for twenty years never heard the message his pastor was presenting to the people.

In spite of my concerns and differences in philosophy, I pray that God will bless President Obama and give him wisdom to lead this great nation. We are a great people with many differences, but we are still one nation. God Bless America!

Happy New Year

Hello fellow servants of the Lord, 

A page has been turned and a new year has begun.  Resolutions were made and some have already been forgotten. My year began with introspection and prayer. Our church devotes the month of January to"Seasons of Prayer". This month we fast three days per week and meet once a week for a two hour prayer meeting. This kicks off our year and offers an opportunity to position ourselves to serve the Lord, receive blessings, become an intercessor, or just find our place in the family of of God. 

A great moment in history is upon us. The world is an increasingly dangerous place to live. Those who follow prophecy believe the End of the Age is drawing near. The most important thing in your life is to make your calling and election sure! Whether the Lord comes this year or in ten thousand years, nothing is more important to your future! 

Joel 2: 12-15

 12 "Even now," declares the LORD, 
       "return to me with all your heart, 
       with fasting and weeping and mourning."

 13 Rend your heart 
       and not your garments. 
       Return to the LORD your God, 
       for he is gracious and compassionate, 
       slow to anger and abounding in love, 
       and he relents from sending calamity.

 14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity 
       and leave behind a blessing— 
       grain offerings and drink offerings 
       for the LORD your God.

 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, 
       declare a holy fast, 
       call a sacred assembly.

The future is uncertain...and the choices you made in the past have brought you to this moment. God does not expect you to look to your mistakes and ill-judged decisions to bring you through. He wants you to look to Him. If you ask for forgiveness, He will not hold your past against you. He loves you. The only way to protect your future is to become closely acquainted with the Lord. 

As the economy falters, and unemployment rises, do not fear. All those who trust in the Lord will find a shelter and peace of mind. I know we dread living in fearful times. I am reminded of a conversation from The Lord of the Rings Book I, The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien. This conversation took place between the hobbit Frodo Baggins and Gandalf when dark times were approaching Middle Earth.

I wish it need not have happened in my time,' said Frodo.
'So do I,' said Gandalf, 'and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.'

And so it is for all of us! We have no choice in deciding whether times will be good, or bad. We are unable to move forward in time or change the times around us. All we can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us. Choose to serve the Lord. Live in peace with one another. Pray one for another. Bear one another's burdens. So in this year of new beginnings, let us take to our hearts the words of the Apostle Paul: 

Hebrews 12

 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. NIV

Blessings!

Spiritual Year End Review

Hello All, 

 This year has been so fast moving that I lost track of the days since Hurricane Ike disrupted our lives. Finding a new place to live after the damage to the house and becoming accustomed to not working when I was displaced in September has kept my life interesting. I spent a month and a half coughing due to the mold in the house where I lived until recently. 

Now that the end of the year is approaching I am taking time to review the ups and downs of my spiritual walk. Every year the media gives the audience the highlights of the previous year, such as great triumphs, notable people who have died, and great media scoops ( I found this one today). It is in this spirit of review that I encourage all of you to look over the past year to gain insights into your strengths and weaknesses; and plan for the new year. 

Like many of you, I endured some dark days this year. Living on the Gulf Coast; our lives may never be the same since Ike came for a visit. I choose to believe that in my personal life, this has turned out to be a good thing in spite of the many aggravations during those days. 

As I look toward the new year I am making a list that I want to review, and perhaps change my attitude about in the new year. 

They are: 

1. Do I feel that I was persecuted by the devil or his fallen angels this year? 
2. Was I overcome, or did I overcome them? 
3. Did I trust God this year, or did I panic? 
4. How have I measured up in my relations with my fellow man?(Other People) Am I compassionate? Do I even think of others in my daily life? 
5. What about my time in conversation with God? (Prayer) Was it productive or did I whine about my problems? 
6. Have I taken authority over my home...my life? 
7. Am I thoughtful of the problems of others? Do I pray for them, and help if I am able? 
8. Do I listen for the voice of the Lord in my daily life? Do I hear his commands? Am I obedient? 
9. Do I have a repentant spirit? 
10. Am I willing to change? 

These are the questions that concern me. Each of you have your own interests, and concerns. Make your list personal and give them serious consideration as we move forward to the new year. Plan to make a change in your life.  You will be blessed. 

No matter what has overtaken you this year, and no matter what state you currently find yourself; know this...God is with you every step of the way. His love is everlasting, and His protection will be with you every step you take. Our world is changing daily. Our economy has fluctuated badly, and people are afraid. Take heart and do not be afraid. Israel began bombing Gaza this week and we are moving quickly toward a destiny that was set in motion a millenium ago. No matter what overtakes you, rest assured that God is in control and our very lives are in His hands. 

Jesus put it this way. 

 John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled; You believe in God, believe also in me. 

Matthew 6: 25-31

25 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ...

31 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own troubles. 

Take some time to read the entire passage. It will uplift and bless you. 

I urge you to take time to review your spiritual year, and make your New Year's resolution to tighten up your walk with the Lord. He is coming soon. 

Blessings!

After Ike

Hello All,

Hurricane Ike has interferred in our existence in a big way. I hope everyone is well and safe. I also hope your power has been restored. While this has been a trying experience, it is worthy of note that we are all in good health and very little loss of life incurred. Galveston is devastated and our prayers are with everyone who lost everything in this disaster.

Sam and I still do not have power and have become refugees in Round Rock with our son and his wife, Derek and Janice. However, we are anxious to return home when our house is livable again.

God loves every one of you and I know He is watching over all of us during this time.

Blessings!