Arrogance vs graciousness

Pulling into a parking lot today, there in the middle of the lane strode a young man, looking straight at me, with no regard what so ever of moving to one side or the other, he blindly strode directly in my path as a rite of passage through some unforeseen pedestrian zone I had somehow invaded.

As I pulled into the space after a mere few seconds of waiting for this young man to exit stage left, it dawned on me just how arrogant we have become as guests in a foreign land. I am not talking about by nationality or ethnicity.

I am talking about how instead of being gracious for the gifts we have been bestowed, we arrogantly claim them in our name as our possessions instead of claiming them in the name of the one who granted them to us, Jehovah.

How often we speak arrogantly of the such things that have no pleasure, bring no rest, no hope. Instead f being blessed with good fortune I submit we are damned with it instead. Damned with the constant reminder of seduction, how easy it is to fondle with pleasure.

Arrogance has never produced hope, whereas, grace has. Place our soul in his hands, so that his name may be written on it for all eternity. Clarity in purpose, courage in correcting our placement, fear and reverence in his admonishment, he loves us all.

Place yourselves in correct order of precedence, when the cadence is called for the final march, there is no order of self importance. All those who died to become new again will know life everlasting, those who waited will not.

Know the Lord our God, worship and honor him in all things granted.

Did you Remember to Pray

Not just a perfunctory action on a daily or as needed basis. When was the last time you and God had a good talk? No not like "gee I always wondered why my hair was brown or curly!" Speaking of talking, in the spirit? Okay try this one, do you praise God? Really? YES.

Try this one on for size, prayer is not just something that christians do, it is our birthright as christians, so that we may petition directly to our maker. We are told to pray, I know some of you are saying well I do this everyday, great.

But lets look at the act of praying a little more in detail. How do you pray to the Lord? Did you sign praise to him first? God is ever mindful just as we are as parents, watching mindfully over our children, whether near or far, everyday, rain or shine and not just because Doctor Spock said it was a good idea to do this.

Try this the next time your pray; yep prayer actually takes work, and he is listening all the time, so becareful what you ask for, it could be life changing. Take the time to first praise our master. Okay for what you might ask, how about for salvation from our sins, through the shedding of his son's blood. For the ability to come before him, directly without anyone performing on your behalf.

Secondly, talk with him, much like our own parents, he loves our company, I know, why should he listen to me, right? Well because we are all equal heirs in his kingdom, he wants to spend time with you, doesn't matter if you don't understand everything, he understands.

Don't sell yourself short, God has a plan for each and everyone of us, already written. The key is learning how to let go and let him lead us, as a sheppard would to green pastures, still waters. Be at peace with yourself, God needs to know what you are praying for, yes he knows it all already before you speak it, but we still need to ask for it, much the same way we have to ask for forgiveness of our transgressions against him, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Try reciting the Lords own pray before beginning your petitions, I find I am able to focus more on the matter at hand if I center myself with his own words first.

Happy Vietnam Veterans Day Pennsylvania Vets

March 29th; we celebrate those who have serve this Commonwealth fearlessly during the Vietnam War. This is a day to reflect upon those sacrafices and accompishments on those we call brother and sister. God Bless you all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7EPlqvMAfU

Healing

You alone Lord are the great physcian who heals broken emotions, bones, monds and relationships. In the name of Jesus, heal all those returning from combat, restore their minds and emotions. Comfort those who have lost friends and family members, physically strengthen those recovering from wounds.

Finding Fault

Finding fault is not all that hard for anyone to find these days, I am full of them, can't even imagine how I have the courage to get up and face the day let alone work through the issues. I asked someone a question the other day that I will pose to those who may read this. Whats the difference between a hero and a non-hero?

I'd be interested in knowing. I will give you another one. Can you claim yourself as christian and still be dealing with PTSD? I think for most this is an easier question to answer, but again I venture to say most will answer no but again I would be interested in knowing where you stand.

There is no way for someone to to understand what it is like to run into dangerous situations while others are fleeing it. Uncommon valor? courage? hero? or is it something more. Love of country, love of service before self, loyalty.

What drives you to get up and face your day, clean slate? no worries? not a sinner? hmmmm, maybe time to evaluate where you are standing. But don't take my word for it, speak the guy in charge, he is always listening I would challenge us to do the same.

Spiritual Utilities

There are some amazing similarities between our computers and life as a christian. There are any number of commands which use to keep our computers healthy, much as God does, we have help files, we have examples, and we have templates.

Far too often we wait until something has happened in our lives before we turn to God, rather than being proactive or praising God for just the gift of being able to take the next breath or to see the dawning of the next day.

Like most relationships we take them for granted until we are reminded that communications is a mandatory requirement, not optional. God however does not follow human definitions for things we can not explain (define).

Use your Spiritual Utilities God has given us through birth right, when we became baptised we were reborn into life with him, giving us authority to be known as his, a child of God. These utilities are always the latest and greatest, no need for upgrades or replacements, no defects, perfect for any occasions and always in style, most importantly it is compatible with everything, because everything is his.

Rules of Engagement

One of the cardinal rules of military operations is knowing your rules of engagement, they usually consist of lessons learned by those no longer around to talk about it, one of those rules everyone usually over quotes is "never leave your wingman", although honestly they do just that when opportunity provides them with a choice.

So what are the alternatives, "be a loner?" God does not intend for us to ever got it alone, this is why we have male and female, God created a companion for Adam in the Garden of Eden, a helper, someone for him to share the beauty of God's creation with.

Often more times than not we place our own ambitions before all else and then spin legalisms to justify our choices made. God's wonderful gift of free choice gives us the freedom to come to him, not through his command, but through our own choice and love for him as he loves us, unobstructed by greed or ambition.

My prayer for you for today is to release yourself from your foolish pride and ambition and come to know the lord on not just a corperate level, but a personal level. The guilt we feel for the sins we commit is keeping us from enjoying his greatest gift of all, eternal life. Wisdom in his word is what truely sets us free from those shackles.

God Bless you all today, for today is your second chance.

Saving

Wondering what our world would be like if instead of focusing on saving money for tomorrow we focused on saving our souls. Not something you can gain interest on, however it does stand to pay big dividends and not just for a few years, but for eternity.

I get the same feeling when clicking on the save button while writing a document, the program faithfully asks, "Do you wish to save your work?" So I ask you this, if saving is so easy, why are people reluctent to become saved by accepting Jesus Christ?