Its All About Timing

Timing really is everything.  The 'What To Do' is equally as important as to 'When' you are to being doing it! 

We are very good at figuring out what it is we are to be doing but very rarely do we worry about the question as to when it is to occur!  REAL faith in God means that we are willing to SUBMIT to God's timing in our lives.

Think of the disasters human history has recorded in the Bible!

• The completion of the ark.
• Abraham's failure with Hagar.
• The exodus - straight into the wilderness for 40 years.

Aside from the frirst example, which shows God's timing right on queue, the others are examples of man fouling up God's timing, then having to deal with the consequences of it!  I suppose we could call the Wilderness Experience - a massive time-out for lack of faith!

The Jew's did not trust God completely, that is certainly evident throughout Exodus!  How can we do better?  Well, we all have to learn to trust God completely!  And that is not a check mark in a box - it is a lifelong effort - of:

• Getting to know God, not just about God
• Disciplining yourself to pray before making decisions
• Learning to listen to God and recognizing His voice
• Being faithful to what God is asking of you in the moment

Evaluate yourself and be ruthlessly honest!  Look to where the timing problems are in your life - and a few of these may take the help of the best kind of friends - those whom can tell you the truth and you can forgive them for it!

• Your ideas sound a lot like God's ideas
• You are concerned with whom is watching
• You are trying to make it happen
• It involves sin.....
• You are paralyzed by fear rather than driven by faith
• The ungodly world loves you (ouch!)

So how are we to proceed in faith, while waiting on God's timing? 

• Just do the next thing needed to accomplish whatever the task!  
• Set your mind on the things of God, not man.  
• Use your resources to invest in people, for eternity.

Now remember a few posts ago about how I was telling you how so many situations exist - and I have NO response to them - and my frustration with this situation?  Yeah, this post is my response to having figured out what I need to do - whatever is NEXT in each instance.

Taking A Lickin'

So, my body has been taking a lickin' for the past several days.  Twice I have almost called for an ambulance, but didn't - which although the cheaper alternative, in no way may have been the smarter way to go.  Time will tell.

Not real sure what is behind this other than it is causing me great stress and anxiety, all of which your prayers would be sought after.

Thanks.

Learning To Rely On God

No, this will not be the kind of reading you are expecting, I am thinking in another direction today.....

In John 7:1-5, Jesus' family came to him and wanted him to go to Sukkot with them in Jerusalem.  And why not?  It was a fun time of feasting and bbq'ing outdoors with friends and family.  Everyone was doing it after all!

Culture was demanding of Jesus an activity he was not ready to participate in, afterall he did have other things to do - even if his family did not appreciate that fact.  Culture can be a real killer for the Christian.  You want to do what you are supposed to be but there are all of these expectations and demands put upon us!  And we are supposed to be marching to the beat of a different drummer that is getting mighty hard to listen to these days.

Jesus' family was not be unreasonable, it was sensible.  Everyone was going to be there, far more than where he was.  He could be recharging his fan base back in Judea, be where the crowds are, keep up with all of the dog and pony shows in town!  But, Jesus was set on doing the Godly thing at the moment.

So we need to listen not to the voice of culture or even those of family and friends but the voice of God - for as quiet as it is:

• God never seems to show us the whole picture - just the next step to be performed.
• You may not know for certain without lots of prayer.
• You will be given PEACE if you are headed in the right direction.
• God's goal is NOT your happiness, it is HIS service.
• God wants you to learn to recognize His voice!

Want to learn to rely on God? 

• Then get to know the character of God
• Learn His holiness
• Exalt in His mercy
• Consider His ways

Old Wounds

Father, for all his being a genius, was just about as dumb as a stump when it came to dealing with people - he had a complete disregard for them.  Mother, for her being near genius in intelligence, never was able to overcome her childhood.  So, it should not be so shocking that these two were destined to end up divorced and a dirty one at that - dragging friends and neighbors into the fray.  That disaster began 40 years ago today,

So, my long lost friend Chuck, whom contacted me out of the blue, was trying to find my mother because his mother wants to get a hold of her.  My mother is a bit tricky to get a hold of.  She will only answer a phone if it suits her at that moment and then if she does you may or may not get a lunatic on the other end of the line.  She also sells at antique shows so is generally not around when someone needs to reach her.  (I am working on her accepting the technology of a cell phone!)

Once I did manage to get her on the phone, I told her about Chuck popping up and Anne wanting to get back in touch - after all of these years.  NUCLEAR BLAST!  all over me.....

So, it seems that Anne had taken father's 'side' in the divorce and in short, mother was never going to see or hear from that woman again!

Whatever!  I am just the unfortunate messenger on that one.  I told Chuck I am not going to get into it and if he is wise, neither will he.....

Families!

I Had No Response

Last night was the first night in several days in which I was able to get a full nights sleep!  From Tuesday through Friday I only managed 8 total hours.  Yeah, been quite a week!  But, even for as badly as I needed sleep - I awoke in a mental frenzy from a bizarre dream.....

The dream opens up in a restaurant, very trendy and all are dressed to occasion.  Seated at my table is a married couple whom have been together for eleven years and are having problems, Gaelic Girl's youngest brother, her sister, Artist Girl, my son and myself.

So, in the course of the meal, the couple gets into it - dredging up all sort of accusations against one another!  Being a peace maker by nature, I am trying to smooth their rapidly ruffling feathers.  To no avail.  Son and AG get into the act and the evening is well on its way to being out of control.  At this point, GG's brother reaches over the table, grabs his sister by the shoulders and throws her across the room......

Next, scene, we are in my Volkswagen driving to the hotel(?), somewhere in any event and EVERYONE will not shut up and let me drive.  It is dark, the streets for some reason are not familiar and I drive right into some sort of riot in process.  A whole lot of youth run amok in the streets, crossing against the lights, in the rain and particularly upset with me.

So far I was managing at holding things together but now notice this is not my VW, it is right hand steer and the roads are right hand drive - putting me at a great disadvantage.  Then I figured out that is not Baselstadt, I am completely lost and clueless.

Yeah, that brought me right out of bed.

It was a real easy dream to figure out - I am finding myself more and more in situations for which I have no response, and yet, people are expecting me to have answers.  I am clueless.

So, if you have been reading my little notes of my life, you understand where each of these people have come from in my life and my concern for where they are heading.....

I truly have no response for them and it terrifies me.

People

It was a humorous day for people interaction.
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At the hospital I was awaiting my turn to have my body sucked dry of blood by the testing Nazi vampires.  Yeah, I do not do well with needles at all!

So, this little boy pops up out of nowhere:

"My name is, xyz, I am 10 years old.  My mother is 35 and my father is 40.  When I die I am going to go up!  My father is God, my mother will be Mary, and I think I want to be Joseph because he was a dad and powerful!"

At which point his mother grabbed him by the neck and dragged him out of the building - as he continued his oratory.
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Next, up, was when I going through checkout at the store. 

"What are these?" asked the cashier.  I had to explain the concept of Kippers to her.

"I have never heard of such a thing!"

As I left I commented she ought to try some kippers (because at $2/can this is really a great price!).

"Not a chance I am going to let anything like that near my lips!"  Which brought peels of laughter from everyone in line.
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 Finally was a call from the First Church of the Fresh Meat's children's pastor.  "Kris, can you give us a week of your time?

"What's ya need?"

"Well, we are going to be doing a children's play about Jonah and the whale, and the elders believe that if anyone could be Jonah - it has to be you."

"Really?"  My mind is racing as to how anyone even knows me!

"Yeah, if anyone in this church was to be swallowed by a whale - it would be you!" 

Her voice was so convinced - I had to agree.

Now I have a few ideas about the whole whale idea............

Well, I'll Be......

When my mother was growing up she had one close friend by the name of Ann.  When I was really young, I can remember going on visits to her home and playing with her children - Chuck, Jill and Scotty.  When I was in college, I went down to Portland and visited with them several times.  Chuck fancied himself a rocker and was now into substance abuse, so not a whole lot of commonality left there, but Jill had grown into quite the eyeful and we corresponded for several years until she faded away during my "I hate women" tirade.  But, that was long ago (and distrust has replaced hate).....

I think it was back in 2008 I posted a note about friends I would like to find again, Chuck was on there, as was Jill.  But, try as I might, there was just no finding them!

Last night, I learned I had been spelling their last name wrong all of these years!  Yeah, Chuck found me on the internet - or at least my public email address!  Simply amazing!

So, looking forward to hearing more from and about him!  Maybe I can hunt down Jill as well now and see how she is doing.....

Shaping into an interesting year!

Huge FAIL for NBC

So, NBC "accidentally" edits out "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, not only once - but twice?  Sorry, I am not that stupid.

Is there some reason that NBC is incapable of keeping their anti-religious, anti-conservative editors in control?  By not openly firing these people, I guess we will know where NBC really stands concerning the country they use for sheltering their freedoms.

Sorry NBC we have seen your true colors for far too long.  May your stock fail mightily and take your cretins to Cuba with you, where you really belong......  Of course, failing that, perhaps if everyone would just email their local NBC affiliate and let them know their feeble excuses are not appreciated and you will not watch their stations for a month - now that will hit them where it hurts!

But I will leave it to a man I have respected my entire life -
http://youtu.be/TZBTyTWOZCM- and isn't it a shame that a Swiss/German citizen has to remind you of what you once had?

Father's Day

This is one of those remembrance days which I have real trouble over.  In coming to this country, when I was 14, I can remember taking my father out for pizza at Shakeys in South Carolina.  He was always pleased, but not so when I was older.  In fact, he made a point of returning every father's day card or gift, either burned or shredded.  Yeah, life is a like that and a little rougher when you are the family idiot apparently.

My lawyer's wife I will blame for setting my kids up to father's day.  No, it is not a German, much less a Swiss, custom but no one would deny "Ayesha" a chance to celebrate most anything!  As the kids grew older she let them take charge of the day and when we all moved, I sincerely doubt she had any input any longer.

So today, oldest daughter met me at church with grandkids in tow.  Number two daughter texted me a happy FD and we ought to do lunch sometime.  Youngest daughter made me a German Chocolate Cake and son avoided the whole issue and took off with his girlfriend right after church.  I took those remaining to Red Robin for burgers and then I took off to see an old car show, which no one else was interested in.  Though did see son just briefly as he spied me with a strawberry shortcake walking down the rows of cars and hinted at how he wanted one.  (B-I-T-E-M-E.)

As a day it was quiet, no one at home save for me and some old movies I had not watched yet.  My adoptive Christian father called to wish me HFD, which I returned.  Italian Missionary Girl called and it is always delightful to talk with her - and her mother also called me which was sort of unexpected!  I called my Tucson friend to let him know I have long valued his friendship and input - he has been a great influence in my life.  Then came the odd calls: lawyer's wife in tears, Gaelic Girls little sister in tears, etc, etc.  I need to get a phone produced by Kleenex I think.

But best part of father's day is that GG will be up here on opening day for Cowboys and Aliens (7/29!), and I get a free dinner out too!

WooHoo!

Empty

Utter exhaustion has over taken me.

I think I must be getting whatever has whacked the cousins and kids.

Rats......

Gnawing On A Pencil

I was able to spend an interesting three hours with Artist Girl.

It seems that her time back home, from graduating college, did not go well.  The first three days went great but then quickly slid into the "gosh I need to leave before I go to jail" zone.  Yeah, her parents are really quite difficult at times.  Though I have to admit that her mother attacking her for setting a plate on a counter, then her father putting a knife to her throat and trying to cut her head off seems a little on the trailing edge of reality.  I can believe the former easily enough, and I suppose that her father is capable of most anything.  But, slicing her head off?!?!?!?!?  Either AG needs some meds or perhaps she should have called the Police to deal with her father (he is a lawyer on child abuse cases after all, so knows so much better!).  However, from what I observed, it is just as easily her pushing him over the brink.....

So, she was in quite an emotional state and probably needed a female to dump on, rather than a guy like me!  I can give a hug, promise to pray, but you know I am not exactly the best one to deal with female tears and offer comfort (as all of my daughters well know!).  I am way too analytical.

On the plus side for her life: she has not bent to the influence of our western culture - yet.  However, she is not in any form of fellowship, her boyfriend is not a Christian and her dress has become quite - uhmmmmmm - emotive.  So at least on the subconscious level she is hunting real hard for a male reaction I am sure she is not prepared for!  And I wonder if this is in response to the rejection from her father last week.....  Shade of Bridgett (sp?) there if you remember my post from several months back.

I suspect if I see her again it will be under the situation of her having fallen completely into our godless culture and ways.  And, you can see it coming - narcissism, extreme ego, completely out of touch with reality.  If I closed my eyes I could easily have been talking to another of my girls, whom became the Faithless Bride last year.  Adults making adult decisions, with suddenly no mental, emotional nor spiritual maturity.

Do not get me wrong!  I love AG very dearly and have often wished she was indeed one of my daughters, just to have separated her from the abuse she has suffered for decades. I have known her since she was in her primary years - so for a big slice of her life she has been in and out of my home, was even one of my more active church students, and I have tried to model a very  positive male role in her life.

So, I am gnawing on a pencil and probably getting slivers in my gums....  I really hate to see another of "My Girls" taking the long slide into the world.

What To Say

Artist girl is in town, just passing through on her way back to Arizona.  My long term readers might remember her parents decided to ship her off from Basle to go to college in Arizona because they honestly do not want or like her.  What a family!  They have never forgiven her for forcing them to marry!  Like that was her fault.....

So, she has graduated from college, went home, shipped her stuff back to Arizona and now is traveling back there herself to begin whatever life is ahead of her.  I am going to guess it is for friends she is doing this, she never really had any back home.  She has a wonderful mind and not being shopping oriented just has never fit in well with our light fluffy culture.

So I leave you now to head over to the airport, to take her to lunch.  Perhaps I can continue to encourage her to keep those eyes on Jesus and righteousness.....

What Next?

Transitioning from teaching high school age kids to having some college age guys to deal with sort of kept me busy, but as the school year winds down - I have had this nagging feeling of - What Is Next?

My health seems to have stabilized across the last several months, leading me to think that maybe there are some more tasks for me to complete.  But what is next!  I am so unaccustomed to knowing I have free time on my hands!  So, what is next?

Sunday, the main pastor was not at the church of the fresh meat, so attendance was almost nil!  (Have you ever noticed this truly American trend?!  So, pastor you like is not there, so you stay home?  What the heck is up with that?)  So, I was asked to be one of the after service prayers.

Sometimes, when I do this there is maybe 1, usually none at all, but not yesterday!  I had 5!  A lady whose daughter is having problems adjusting to her new job and life in another city (weak Christian!), a lady whom had lost her purse (and you know what that means these days!), a lady whose husband of several decades had left her last week and an anomaly....

The latter was a young Hispanic male whom came up and asked for prayer because he wants to know Jesus for real!  Wow!  So I took him out for lunch.

Turned out he is married with a two year old son.  His wife seems to be quite strong in the Lord and although he has gone through confirmation, etc (yeah Roman Catholic background) his faith just does not seem real to him when compared with his wife.  It was a delightful three hour lunch!

Is this what is next?  Am I to disciple him?  How very exciting the possibilities seem!

I would appreciate you prayers for all of the people I have mentioned, but also for God's wisdom and guidance concerning this young man and his family......

Wow!

Learning Life's Lessons From A Loser

Observations on Matthew 27:1-10

Your failure does not have to be final.  How you manage that failure is what is important.

When you look back at Peter and Judas, Peter is the failure and Judas the one whom was successful!  Both failed Jesus, but they handled failure very differently!

Are you running Jesus' stop signs?  Sin never comes suddenly.  We can see that Jesus even gave Judas the opportunity to stop and not betray him!

Do not confuse remorse with repentance!  Remorse comes from getting caught - repentance means there is another choice and you receive forgiveness.

Judas missed the forgiveness of the cross because he committed suicide.
Judas missed the peace of the resurrection because he died in his sin.
Judas needed to boycott hell and have REPENTED!

You are responsible for your choices! 

We can see that Jesus' betrayal was a part of God's Plan.  Judas did have a choice to not betray, to find repentance, to not kill himself.

He chose poorly.....

First and Last Lessons

When I was selected to become a youth pastor by my uncle's church, you have to understand that I was a brand new Christian and had absolutely NO business in such a position of authority.  Yeah, that nagging lesson concerning DISCERNMENT i keep harping about.  But, then again no one wanted to take on 165 high schoolers!

Now Bill Bright had come out with a 10 lesson study called, Transferable Concepts, and I had gone through those classes as part of my discipleship.  It seemed a good choice for someone so young in the faith.

Now earlier this year I was wondering what to do with my little study group on Sunday mornings.  And, as I was digging through old studies, I found my original notes from 1974!  I thought, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

I had also taught this series in 1976, with the source materials having been out of publication by then.  So, I called up Mr. Bright and asked his permission to xerox the booklets so I could do the class and he thought that was a great idea.  Leave it to a German to call an author and ask to pirate his material, eh?  But, he was one cool guy and we had many long distance conversations through the years!

Today, his material is out of print, however his wife has put up the Transferable Concepts on the internet!  They are not the whole booklet for each class, just the meat and potatoes of the classes.  The series of 10 PDF files maybe found at:

http://crupress.campuscrusadeforchrist.com/green/index.php/resources/transferable_concepts
   
Having just completely this series again with a group of youth, it went well.  The materials are a little dated as one might mistake his teaching to be on the prosperity heresy - which did not even exist back then! So, a few points have to be explained in the context of the church as it existed in the 1960's and early 1970's.

Those whom participated, learned the most and I think enjoyed not only the basics as review but also chewy ideas to come from our discussion.

About 60 to 90 minutes per class, with donuts and much levity......
:^")

The Unheard Message

I have been unable to post because I have been so disgusted over Saturday night's blow up by son.  I am so sick of this!  This time it was because I unplugged the wireless house phone at 10 pm because he was outside screaming at his girlfriend on it.  Somehow, his being out of control is my fault and somehow his relationship problems are my fault as well.  It just amazes me at how ALL of his defects are my fault!  As I told him during our 90 discussion - I didn't break him, he broke himself - now start treating others with respect, grow up and get a life!


And through those 90 minutes I was trying to get him to see himself as other's see him.  But, the only message he heard was that he was stupid, irresponsible, lacked maturity, was a failure, etc, etc, etc.  None of those words were in my discussion - that was his interruptation of my message.  How bent can one person be so that when someone gives you ideas on how to treat others better and be an adult - all you hear is, "I hate you!" ?

I honestly can not get it!  Well, in a way I do.  I know he hates me and I know his hatred for me comes from his lifelong hatred for himself.  He would be so much happier if only I was just like his biological father and beat him regularly.  Which is exactly why I have never and will never strike him - except in self defense - which luckily our relationship has not disintegrated to, yet.

Through all of these years, the message he should have been hearing is - "I love you....."

Wanted: Christian Girl

Sons latest relationship disintegrated into a two hour screaming match on the phone tonight.  I unplugged the phone at ten.  Of course, I am the evil one.

When Kris must step into Papa Bear mode, it is not pretty.

I just can not understand his problem with limiting the hunt to Christian girls only!  Oh yah, I forgot, there aren't any according to him.......

Maybe I need to post on Craigslist.

Musical Saturday Morning

I suppose that this video again hits my romantic nerve.  Shot where the lead singer and his wife spent their honeymoon many years earlier, she is the female dancing with him in "the dream" and it just has a good feel about it.

So, for my long distance friend Bree, The Cure and Just Like Heaven.....

The Return of Cheap Grace

When I was in Bible school, one of my professors gave me what he thought was going to be an easy assignment for the weird Reformation follower in the class - unfortunately it almost led to his firing from the staff and my causing quite an uproar, unintentionally!  Truth and political correctness are not compatible it seems.

The class was Christian History, the assignment as Dietrich Bonhoeffer's place in history as a Christian martyr.  Sounds simple enough, but remember I am German.  Now the National Church (aka Lutheran to Americans) played almost no role in my life as I grew up - other than during the period when I was seeking God and the local church kept throwing me out for asking questions!

Bonhoeffer was the head of the National Church of Germany, having replaced Karl Barth, whom fled to Switzerland as Germany turned to National Socialism.  Bonhoeffer inherited a real mess.  He too in the end fled Germany, only to return when he understood that if he was to have a witness in Germany, it must be because he too suffered along with the faithful.

Unfortunately, Bonhoeffer forgot his role and made an extremely poor judgment - which cost him his life - literally in the last moments of the war.

His father and brother-in-law were involved in the plot to kill Hitler and they sought Bonhoeffer's input on the idea.  Bonhoeffer saw Hitler as the physical embodiment of Satan and gave his go ahead.  But, remember, Bonhoeffer represented the National Church!  Of course, the attempt failed, everyone was executed, Bonhoeffer being the very last and within hours of the prison being liberated.

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Prior to his internment, Bonhoeffer had written a book called, "The Cost of Discipleship".  In it, he lamented the fact that the Church had become a social setting, where Christians felt there was no requirement beyond salvation to be made of them.  He called it "Cheap Grace".  He called for the Christian to understand that there is a cost in becoming a follower of Christ.  And there was a dramatic change in the National Church - however, as Bonhoeffer was to write later - the average Christian became not a dedicated follower but found a works based faith.  Piety was given birth and Bonhoeffer now understood that his book was completely misunderstood.

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So Christian believer, can you understand more easily where the American Church is in regard to Christianity?
Are you spiritually able to overcome the influence of the faithless whom have captured American Theology?
Can you see those around you, whom call themselves by a name they really do not know?
Are you willing to think through your beliefs and depart the mainstream and return to Christianity?

"Cheap Grace" has killed the American Church.  Piety has destroyed what was left of the Church.  Christianity falls in-between the two extremes.  Yes, Grace has no cost to you and Christianity is marketed as a "believe once now get on with your life", happy in knowing you now have fire insurance.  Yes, in a small way, it is that but, we are called to be FOLLOWERS, DISCIPLING one another, etc.  Wait, it isn't just believe and go?  No, it is believe and FOLLOW!

Following means that you are willing to walk in Jesus' footsteps, and those footsteps will not lead you to the newest piece of junk produced by GM (or Ford, or.....)!  Those footsteps are going to lead you into the mission field of your family, amongst your friends and even perhaps into your and others' communities!

Ah, but here is where PIETY kicks in!  "I am serving Jesus by xyz'ing and you are not!"  "Don't you think Christians should - xyz?  I don't, maybe you shouldn't!"  Congratulations you have just identified yourself as not being a FOLLOWER!

Your unpleasant task in the new church is a miserable one - you get to walk the fine line between being a FOLLOWER and not falling into PIETY.  How?  Well, yesterdays' post warned you that you are going to need discernment in order to face the fallen church.....

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No Dietrich Bonhoeffer was not a Christian martyr, he was tried, convicted and executed for his part in the plot to kill a national leader - no different than most other assassins.  Sorry, no Christian martyr to be found here.  And that opinion was what caused my professor, a Lutheran Pastor, to go ballistic on me in class!  If American Lutherans have a saint, his name is Dietrich Bonhoeffer.....

They Never Came and Will Never Leave!

"They" are those whom came to the wreak of Christianity, after the faith has been lost.  They have no reason to leave because the faith has become self serving - they are happy here!  So, remembering my last post, that change is needed, let's see where we are going today:

John 6:70 and 71 we have to start by thinking about Judas.....

Everything you could say about Peter, John, Andrew, even James - would be also true about Judas.  Judas was one of the inner 12, he was trusted, he was the group's treasurer - he had authority.

No one saw his betrayal coming - each of the other 11 wondered if it might have been them whom would be the betrayer of Jesus.

Was Judas' sell out about money, disappointment, looking out for number 1 or was he just trying to force Jesus to reveal whom he really was?  Lots of theories, currently only God knows the answer to that one!  (I think it was the latter.)

So, Judas came.  He stayed.  He never really understood because he was really never one of them.

How like our church today!  Pews filled with people whom have no reason to leave because after all, attending church gets you to Heaven, right?  Churched people whom should be feasting on the glories of the Holy Spirit but instead are dead in the pews and in their lives.  Participation is optional, right?  And in time discontent enters their hearts - could it be the music or a particularly convicting sermon or just a remark by someone.  And the door is open for Satan take their unguarded hearts.....  Well, if you are awake you know the chaos Satan can introduce into the church to destroy it, the believers, the young in the faith.....

And what is it you are not going to like?  The role you must play in the non Christian Church of today - you must acquire the gift of DISCERNMENT!  Oh yeah that one gift you are almost never going to see because almost no one seems to have it today!

So, where do you find discernment?  Well, it is a sign gift from the Holy Spirit.  He can give it to you or you could even ask and it will be given to you.  But, in the meantime you might start to study your Bible, in earnest!  Through study you can begin to see the fingerprints and footprints of God - not only in the Bible but by observation of the world around you.  Believe it or not, God works the same to day, as He did 4000 years ago, as He will be doing tomorrow!  If you can see what is of God, then you also will have learned to see what is of man and his folly.  A start and one day perhaps discernment will be yours.  And you can be hated by those whose schemes you interrupt!

On the other hand, God might have another or other gift(s) for you to support your role and responsibility within the Church.  But having the ability to know right from wrong, truth from error, and intent - will only assist you, your ministry and your church.

Oh but don't worry - I have much more to say next time!

Go Against The Flow

There can be little argument today that America's theological influence on Western Christianity has created the post-christian world we are stuck with.  When I first pointed this out, in print in 1981, I was blasted out of anyone ever wanting my material again and called an alarmist.  Really?  Where once Christian ideals brought balance to life, anarchy now rules throughout civilization, thanks to the "Americanized" church.

My current pastor told me the other day he read 15% polled claim to have NO religion at all.  That is twice the percentage of ten years ago!  And we are not talking willing to be called a Christian here - just to consider yourself 'religious'.

So, as we observe society becoming less and less Christian - we must task ourselves with Bible study, service and prayer - all the more in our personal lives!  Well, unless you really want Christianity to have NO impact in your future!

Things looked real bad for the disciples when Jesus was rejected by the crowds because he would not proclaim himself an earthly ruler.  In John 6:56-69, Peter got the answer right to Jesus' question - there is NO one else you can follow!

Peter had a personal relationship with Jesus and he stayed for that very reason.  He had listened, he had observed - and more importantly - he stayed faithful to Jesus, even as the crowd abandoned Him on that now lonely Jerusalem location.

We as Christians must note the crowds are turning against the simplicity of the Gospel, they still are seeking to have their earthly desires filled.  These crowds do not understand we are not about making their lives better, we are offering what their soul longs for - not their stomachs.  Yeah, a famous Christian once said, forty years ago, you can not witness to empty stomachs.  I think we have seen where that bright idea has gone - feeding and no witnessing.


Today's point?

The crowd has already dwindled around the concept of Christianity, they are moving along and chasing other dreams.  You can go with them or you can stay submissive to Jesus and His leading.  The choice has always been yours.

But, if you stay - there is a cost now that you might not expect nor want to accept....

Pretentious

My art group/co-op is updating their biographies and I am supposed to answer a whole bunch of questions for them!  So thought it might be fun to sort of pre-publish them here and see what they look like in print…..

Describe Your Studio:

A north facing studio of glass attached to my home.

What About The Surroundings?

Wooded area near a lake.

What Kinds Of Things Do You Keep In Your Studio?

Paintings by my Grandmother, various art books and piles of paper.

Do You Have Art Work By Other Artists?

Watercolors, oils and colored pencils by my Grandmother.  copper art from a Great-Grandmother, paintings by my two aunts, sketches by an uncle.

What Attracts You To Your Subject Matter?

Mystery or history.

What Music Do You Play In The Studio?

Never, I am just as likely to be wearing hearing protectors for absolute silence.

Where Do You Find Models For Your Figurative Pieces?

My family, extended family and friends.

What Impresses You About Other Artist's Works?

Expression of themselves while leaving you wanting to know more about the scene presented.

What Artists Inspire You?

19th Century English painters, neanderthals.

What Is Your Pet Peeve?

Art Nazi's whom think they "know" what art is and yet have no talent.

If Your Studio Was On Fire, What Is The One Thing You Would Save?

My Grandmother's paintings.

Describe Yourself In One Word:

Conflicted.

What's Your Best Advice You Have Ever Received?

"You can be anything you set your mind, but you must know yourself first....."


People Would Be Surprised To Learn That.....

I am not the person they might have known before I became a Christian.....


What Is The Biggest Misconception About the Artist's Life?

That you can produce on command and yet that is what is expected.


What Is One Place People Will Never Find You?

Where a whole lot of humanity is.  Truly a one on one kind of person.


What Are You Working On Right Now?

A series of paintings concerning mining history, for a book.


When You Are Not Painting, What Do You Enjoy Doing?

Being with my children and grandchildren.  Cooking for friends and family.


When People Come To Visit, Where Do You Take Them?
To see what I have completed, then to the kitchen to help make a meal!