Sliced, Diced and Mashed/ What a Strange Thermostat

Strange Thermostat

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.                                                                                              

                                                                                                 …Romans 8:16, 26

            The sky blended from pink to a deeper pink on the horizon while I watched the day fade away into the early evening.  One sprawled tree became the backdrop for a beautiful picture that fine day.  It has been engraved in my memory for some time.  But something else stood out in this picturesque view even more this approaching night.

            Our Brazilian neighbor owned a Brahma Bull named Benfeitor that roamed the pasture as if he owned it.  In fact he could have it!  No one bothered to argue otherwise.  The silhouette of this huge bull was a sight to behold in proud stature, standing tall against the sky. 

            The muscled creature, strong in nature held his head up high as if king of the hill.  The outline of the silhouette showed a hump on the back of the neck, distinguishing the Brahma from other bulls.  The hump works as a thermostat to help cool the beast during very hot days; while veins run down the sides, to help the cooling process.

            Brothers and sisters in Christ we too have a thermostat that provides us with insight about our spiritual lives indicating if we are cooling in our attitude towards our Savior.  Interestingly most run to the Lord when things start to heat up in their lives.  All of a sudden when the heat is on, they suddenly look to God to be rescued. 

            The Holy Spirit is part of our life when we become a Christian, so running away won't get you far.  His work is to convict and bring you back to God in true fellowship.  If you thought much about this personal thermostat we possess, we would be so truly thankful.  It wouldn't be a pretty picture if we didn't have the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit to bring us back to the fold.  Now that is true fellowship as a believer.

            Let the Holy Spirit work in you not allowing sin to come into your life showing lukewarm on God's spiritual gage.

             Because of Christ, the Holy Spirit or thermostat has been made available to regulate your life and He will direct us to keep it ever level and at a temperature that pleases the Almighty. 

            When you start to feel the temperature dropping or cooling, remember it is not the thermostat. When you stop fellowship with other believers, remember it’s not the thermostat, because He doesn’t communicate a wrong reading.  You have hurt, sin, or disbelief going on inside.  Call on the Lord and permit the Holy Spirit to work and fellowship with you the way you allowed Him to before.  Don’t continue to push Him away.

Sliced, Diced and Mashed/It's Just Not in Me

It's Just Not in Me!

But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.                                           

       ... Job 28: 12-14

The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.

                                                                                                                        ...Job 28:17

Chuck loves using a metal detector every chance he gets.  When diamond rings are lost he is called to try to rescue the precious sentiments.  Looking for jewels, old coins, or just finding old keepsakes, these metal detectors help people who have lost precious belongings. At the time of writing this, our friend has found his way out to Arizona to the wide-open lands. 

Chuck will have stories to tell and adventures too numerous to relate.  A hobby like this could be quite relaxing, camping in the open air beneath the only light around, the stars. 

If our friend were to look for wisdom or understanding while out with his metal detector, it would not be found. Wisdom can not be found in the land of the living, as the scriptures read very clearly.  No matter how far down we were to go beneath the earth, or sea, it would not be retrieved.

The price of wisdom is not known.  Fine gold, crystal and jewels can not equal it.  Where is wisdom found?  Wisdom is found only in the Lord.  Job proclaims those who regard not God, die without wisdom. 

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

...I Corinthians 2:7

With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.    ...Job 12:13

How long have you been searching in all the wrong places?

Sliced, Diced, and Mashed/ Under the Cloud

Under the Cloud

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

                                                                                                                      ...Exodus 13:21

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

                                                                                                               ...I Corinthians 10:1

            The year 2005 will be a year to remember for so many hurricane victims.  The hurricane season seemed to last forever, spewing wrath upon the coastal areas of the U.S.  Between storm surges, high winds, tornadoes, flooding and homeless, panic was rapidly and secretly affecting many, even in outlining states.  The physical elements were obviously felt through winds, rains, and floods.

            Hurricanes, tropical cyclones, low pressure, or a tropical depression, all from off a large body of water like the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, or the Atlantic.  Most storms have been named for easier tracking and logging.  Some familiar names have been Hugo, Fran, Katrina, Rita, and more resent, Wilma. Today's forecasts are much more accurate, compared many years ago; there were no warnings.

            Weather and physical elements have been noted and logged since Bible times, but not quite in the same way as today.  The Bible speaks of a cloud, which followed the people of Israel through the wilderness.  Under this cloud there was protection, provision and leadership. 

Once the Israelites began to be weary of manna, they also began to encounter problems, wanting more, something different.  But many of them God was not pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (I Cor.10:5)  When they were not satisfied with the meat or the drink, they were also not satisfied with the spiritual food and drink.  They were tired of God His protection, provision and leadership. The children of Israel wanted changes, and got what they asked for!  A whole generation died in the wilderness because of rebellion.

Be careful of tiring of truth and begin to look elsewhere.  You may wish you had just savored more the flavor given to you by many generations.  They too suffered because of sin sick souls, but God allowed that truth to arrive to you, because of many faithful warriors.  Maybe you are bored with Jesus?

Be thankful that so many were under the cloud, under the weather, and even went through the sea, just for you to hear the simple plan of salvation.

Try resting under the cloud, not under the weather, and led by the Light when you are facing the deep sea and mighty winds of adversity.

Carol Levergood's blog: Sliced, Diced and Mashed/Disappearing ACt

Carol Levergood's blog: Sliced, Diced and Mashed/Disappearing ACt

Sliced, Diced and Mashed/Disappearing ACt

Disappearing Act

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

                                                                                                         …Revelation 15:3-4

            Watching some of Amazing Videos, I saw the “extreme” displayed with unexpected, surprising events even to those participating.  The word “amazing” can not express the evening’s program.  Before us a choir of two hundred Brazilians, with much enthusiasm and talent sang their hearts out.  I was totally impressed with the beautiful Portuguese music and the appearance of one combined, harmonizing voice.

            Just getting into the feel of the music, all of a sudden the floor beneath the choir gave way to the weight of the members.  Now there must have been some heavy choir members or heavy metal somewhere. No one was critically injured but quite a few hurt in the mishap.  I almost felt like it was a sophisticated gong show.  In all seriousness, it could have been much worse, and thankfully there wasn’t tragedy written in the next morning’s paper.   The building or concert hall was for that purpose, but the documentary that evening did not indicate what caused the floor to collapse.

            Can you imagine what the heavenly choir will sound like?  Talk about moving the floor beneath you! We are to be victorious Christians because we have a lot to sing about.  Our praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, should lift the roof off of any prayer closet or personal sanctuary.  Just think putting all those who know Jesus together, will even lift the roof off.  The world will know who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  John saw seven angels singing the song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb.  Now that is a “Wow” verse, or one to get excited about.  And you thought Baptists couldn’t get excited! 

            Praise Him, all ye saints and nations! Glorify His name! …for all nations shall come and worship thee… Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess; what a day that will be.

Sliced Diced and Mashed/Lost Art

Lost Art

And the judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

                                                                                                              …Isaiah 59:14

           

            My husband and I were driving around our city of Springfield, Missouri commenting how there doesn’t exist morals, and godly character any more.  The words proper, decent, and appropriate are words which my husband refers to as relative. Meaning—depending on how individuals perceive, or view the subject matter, is whether it is right or wrong.  I even found myself looking up the word proper in the dictionary to see if there was a p or pp, since the written form is almost archaic.

            Discussing further, trying between ourselves to solve the world’s dilemmas, it was mentioned how we don’t see any integrity displayed.  My bother-in-law applied for a job, went to the interview where a question was asked of him, “If you saw a fellow worker stealing, would you turn him in?”  Interesting isn’t it, that the question would need to be asked?  The code of thieves is, “Don’t tell.”

            A couple of days later, we were driving in a residential neighborhood when I caught a glimpse of a yard sign with “Integrity for rent” in big lettering.  I chuckled to myself as I thought, If you haven’t any integrity, rent some.  We are almost to that point aren’t we?

            Of course, the integrity sign displayed a home realty company advertising on their rental property.  We have to have a sense of humor in this world of mixed up values.

            I know where a guide for living can be found with tools that will equip anyone to be proper, decent, and appropriate in every way; in the Word of God.  His Word is not archaic, it is Truth.  Here, integrity is not rented it is free, for those who choose to live a godly life in Christ.  A question that deserves pondering, “Why is it hard to find these qualities in our Christian family, when we have it displayed so clearly in the person of Jesus Christ?”

Sliced, Diced and Mashed

Honest Truth

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet ye are not able. For ye are carnal...

                                                                                                            ...1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Randy and Janice told me about their grandson's first day at school.  Kindergarten is a fun time for most parents and their children, getting the feel of a true classroom for the first time. 

Randy asked his grandson how his first day went, and was taken by his response.

"It's OK!"

"Do you like your teacher?" asked Randy.

"No!"

"Why not?"  Randy continued to probe.

"Because my teacher is old, ugly and wears glasses," exclaimed the kindergartner.

Randy piped up and said, "You aren't going to say that to her are you?"

"No, Grampa, I was going to write her a note!"

Needless to say Grampa Randy was taken back by his reply, and set out to explain to him how we don't always say or write what we think.  Some things are just best left unsaid or unwritten.

               In this case we find a bit of humor, because of the age and innocence of a child.  Randy and Janice did imply their grandson loves to speak whatever is on his mind.  Paul speaks what is on his mind, and has written to the church of Corinth.  Paul writes truth in love.  Randy's grandson spoke truth not in love yet, for his teacher.  In a few weeks ask the same question and his grandson may feel differently.  Paul though writes truth in love, about the carnality in the church. 

            Paul tells the church they are still drinking milk, or taking baby steps when they should be eating meat and walking giant steps as a church.  They are busy arguing whom they will follow.  Do we follow Paul? Paul asks the question, ...was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?(1 Cor.1:13).  

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect (! Cor. 1: 17). 

            Truth most times, is like getting hit on the head with a walnut by a chipmunk.  Randy's grandson told from his perspective how he saw his first day as a child in kindergarten.  It may not have been said the way we would say it, but he was just not impressed with his first day because it was not what it was cracked up to be. 

Paul on the other hand wrote truth as instructed and inspired by the Holy Spirit.  I, though, would not recommend writing a note to a teacher telling her she is old and ugly.  Words like this would not win brownie points if he wants to pass kindergarten. Wouldn't that be something to fail Kindergarten?

 Preach, write, walk or talk, but do it in truth and love.  It takes both to be effective.