Without Understanding

Driving past a slightly frozen pond the other day, I noticed some geese on the water, when something was sensed as a danger they did not hesitate, they all moved together and that was to flee the sensed danger.

In today's world we no not flock together often enough, and with our families before us, most turned to church and christian fellowship, but then came the sixties and the fatal shot was fired at the family. No longer would we conform to the standard of our parents and grandparents, it was time for me and self gratification not about an new sense of freedom as fed to us by satan and his henchman.

Gone were the days of innocence and wonder, gone were the days of trust, and along came corruption and greed. Now not all of this was bad, we did have some groovy music and the message of love everybody was good, not as it was intended, but where there was a new spiritual awakening. Many came to Christ as a result of the sixties, sensing danger they fled to the feet of the king for protection.

Without understanding why, even in the most condescending of times we seek answers from the Great I Am, some however will want immediate answers and when asked with an unclean heart may never hear his response use the opportunity to lead some astray. Do not be mislead by false prophets, said many of times throughout the old and new testaments.

Consider this, next time you go to start your car in the morning consider trying to understand, "Why it should start?"  Do we really need to understand that process or do we just trust it to happen, just like thousands of times it has in the past?

Same goes with our faith, even though many have tried to destroy our faith they can not, no amount of Darwinism can do this. Now how would you explain that? Lets try this, "No man can destroy has been created by God". Not talking about physical things, I am talking about spiritual things, like faith. You may wage a battle to explain human accession from apes to the modern man, but how do you explain love and faith?

For those of us who have faced harm in battle or in foreign countries around the globe, we put our trust in SOP's, Standard Operating Procedures and General Orders. This coupled with our training saved many from physical harm. Just as there are countless stories of those in harms way who turned to prayer before engaging the ememy or heading out on their mission.

For me each day spent in the firehouse was another day to lean heavily on my faith and my limited understanding that God had a plan for my life and not just for one moment. Why was I spared harm when standing 10 feet from a loaded fuel with 6,000 gallons of explosive fuel on board and one set of it's rear wheels on fire, all that stood between me and it was a hoseline and water or for that matter any of a hundred times I answered the call and ran to danger while others ran away from it.

So what is to understand? We are all Gods children, some are more obediant than others, but we are all Gods children. Do you consider yourself obediant? 

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