So Simple

November 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment


Life seems complex at times but truly it is simple.

Several months ago I was reading Luke chapter six and ran across the story about building your  house on a  rock. I had read that particular piece many times and had intended to “skim” over it. GOD  had other ideas. As  I read the words of Jesus, a twinge of guilt swept over me. It seemed like He was  talking directly to me.

“So tell me, Nick, why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and then not practice what I tell you?” I looked down at the ground and shuffled my feet but I had no answer. Jesus continued, “if you come to Me, listen to what I say and then do what I say, no storm will prevail against you.”

Am I hearing this right? Could this be true? All I have to do is go to Jesus, listen to Him and follow His counsel and none of life’s storms will overpower me?

As I wondered about that, I thought….if that was true, I had better find out what He said…and then do it!  As I perused the “red ink” of the Bible, I discovered that Jesus taught us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who abuse us and while we stand praying, forgive!

I started to perspire. Whew! I thought. GOD, I’m not sure I can do all that. His reply caught me off balance. “You don’t have to do it all, Nick.  I don’t? I replied. “No, just start with a little and add a little as you go along. My children put so much pressure on themselves and it’s all so unnecessary.  Remember, I know you, Nick, and I love you for who you are.  I don’t expect you to be perfect, just do the best you can for today.”

As I read and re-read the words of Christ, I began to see how simple He made things. Whatever circumstances happen, whatever situations occur, whenever we encounter challenging people…GOD has given a handful of options. We can simply choose one of five ways to respond.

 We can love, do something good, bless the person or problem, pray for the most favorable outcome for  all or forgive  ourselves or others. When we do any one of the five, we are obeying the teaching of  Jesus. When we  obey Him, we have entered into the protection of His sanctuary where storms may  rage but they do not  prevail. We are safe!

Whatever tempest we may find ourselves in; however difficult it may appear… we just Rest on The  Rock of  Ages and do our best to love, do good, bless, pray or forgive.

Jesus makes life so simple.

Filed Under: November 2011 Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Drinking from the Saucer

November 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

I’ve never made a fortune, and it’s probably too late now. 

But I don’t worry about that much, I’m happy anyhow 

And as I go along life’s way, I’m reaping better than I sowed. 

I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed. 

 

Haven’t got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going’s tough 

But I’ve got loving ones all around me and that makes me rich enough. 

I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He’s bestowed. 

I’m drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed. 

 

I remember times when things went wrong, my faith wore somewhat thin. 

But all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again. 

So, Lord, help me not to gripe, about the tough rows I have hoed. 

I’m drinking from my saucer now, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed. 

 

If God gives me strength and courage, when the way grows steep and rough. 

I’ll not ask for other blessings, I’m already blessed enough. 

And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads. 

Then I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, ‘Cause my cup has overflowed. 

 

**Wish I had composed this piece. It was given to me by a very good friend and now I pass it on to you.

We are blessed to live in America. We are the 1% to the rest of the world. Be grateful to GOD.

 

Filed Under: November 2011 Tagged With: , , , ,

Hard to Understand

November 8, 2011 By 1 Comment

 This is the twenty-first century and yet….the Christian church is being persecuted around the  world! At first, I struggled to believe that was really true.

We in America live an isolated existence in many respects. We know only what the media  wants us to know. We are told things like….what a man believes is separate from how he  does his job. Cheating on his wife doesn’t mean he will cheat on his constituents. Not  paying his taxes is merely an oversight and that has no bearing on how he votes on the taxes  of others. That’s somehow different.

News is no longer reported, it is massaged or reworded until a tale is spun that will capture the attention of a money ladened commercial sponsor or benefit a political agenda. We have become so desensitized, it is inconceivable to us that people would be imprisoned, or beaten or killed for simply believing in Jesus Christ. That happened hundreds of years ago, but surely not today. I encourage you to visit OpenDoors….it will open your eyes and startle your soul.

Although American Christians are not imprisoned for our beliefs, nor do angry, ignorant militants barge into our homes, our beliefs are being slowly and systematically attacked. No prayer in schools. The ten commandments removed from the court house steps. Our  people are encouraged to drink “responsibly, have “safe” sex and if you don’t ….well, you can always choose to have an abortion. Marriage is no longer a union dedicated to GOD but a union of sexual preference.

I wonder which is the worse form of persecution….attacks on the outside or attacks on the inside. Perhaps they are equally horrible. I do not understand, why people fear the knowledge of Jesus. If He is a fantasy or a fraud, we who believe in Him are doomed and you can laugh at us forever. If not, then……

If you wish to deny GOD, that is your right. If you wish to worship, Allah, you may do so. If you chose to believe in reincarnation, I do not stand in your way. I have nothing to fear from your beliefs. They do not threaten me.

I am secure in my belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of GOD and my Savior.  What are you afraid of, my friends, that causes you to act in so much anger?  Why must you hurt people, restrict them and try to shackle their minds and spirits? It makes no sense; it’s all so hard to understand.

Filed Under: November 2011 Tagged With: , ,

Occupy Churches!

November 1, 2011 By 6 Comments

 The Occupy Wall Street alliance is against greed and corruption and it is a wonderful thing to see people take  a stand  against evil. They are a swarm of people from a cross section of the country who are frustrated with  things like  bribery better known as “lobbying” in Washington. They want our leaders to put principles before  Party and party.  They are angry and yet they have held on to their principle of non-violence. These people  have decided that  ”something” has to be done and they are trying their best to send a message to Democrats  and Republicans alike. For  this I respect them and applaud their efforts but I can not join them. For although  they have made a good choice, I don’t believe it to the best choice available.

At the moment they are united and excited and fresh and new but they are organizing, creating brands and labels, raising money, establishing “solidarity” among the brotherhood. Soon, I fear, they will be as corrupt and as agenda driven as those they fighting against. It is what happens to many a politician. They start out with good ideas and a good heart, a love of GOD and country and then…The Fall!  I pray I am wrong.

In fact, I pray, believing prayer is the best choice. It is what our country needs. It is time to Occupy Our Churches and trust in the GOD that our money says we trust in!

 Greed is not a physical illness; it is an affliction of the soul. Corruption is not a materialistic  malady; it is  cancer of the heart. We must pray, not for the pockets of the rich to be emptied but, for  the hearts and souls of  the rich to be changed! They have  both the means and the intellect to do  much  good for our country.

For those of you who have dismissed me as a religious nut, please hear me out. I am not saying stop what you  are  doing. Take whatever stand you feel is moral and ethical and diligently guard your heart against the vices  of power and money. Encourage everyone you know to vote in the coming elections, not for charisma and  cliches, but for great character!

Let sexual misconduct no longer be tolerated, if a politician betrays his  marital vows betraying his consituents is not far behind. Do not be deceived, how a man or woman handles their private life is a strong indication of how they will handle the matters of state that affect our personal lives! Regardless of party, let the political slogan for 2012 be: Character Counts!

Make no mistake…the fight against greed and corruption is a spiritual one and we must fight darkness with Light.  If we want the blessing of Almighty GOD upon America, then we must acknowledge Almighty GOD as our forefathers did!  The best way you can rid America of the evils of greed and corruption is to take a stand…on our knees before GOD.

It is time to return to the altar of our Creator.  Let’s Occupy Our Churches!

Filed Under: November 2011