The Smile Test

Working for none but God.

I feel really discouraged sometimes.

 It hurts. Bad. 

Sometimes I just feel like I'm not at my best.

That makes me sad.

I've been told so many different things by so many different people

That I don't remember what one person says from the next.

The thing that keeps me going though, is this:

I work, not for any man or woman

not for any company

not for any group

not for any non-profit

I work only for God.

God is the one who I must please, not man.

I must better myself only for Him.

May my actions please Him and bring joy to Him.

Sure, I've been put down tons of times

but I dust myself off and walk on

Knowing that I am to be still, and Know that He is God.

Listening to others

There's a lot of pastors, and so called pastors out there who will preach and teach and scorn and cajole and threaten hell fire and damnation upon you.  

There's pastors who will want you to live "Your Best Life Now!"

Or offer you a "biblical" money making ploy to get you to buy, buy, buy

Or guilt you into "saving the souls of all" with your tithes and the promise of a prayer hankie from the back pocket on that same preacher.

Now that I've finished my rant, I will say this: If you find a pastor that you agree with: LISTEN TO THEM!

It doesn't matter what "flavor" they are. If they preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and you like how they preach, there shouldn't be any reason why you SHOULDN'T listen.

As many who read my blog know, I am a United Methodist. Quite happily, actually. One of my most favorite preachers is Adrian Rogers. He's a Southern Baptist. How about Pope John XXIII? He's a Catholic! Cardinal Timothy Dolan? Catholic. Billy Graham? A.W. Tozer? The list goes on.

There are many preachers out there, and its important to read, seek, and find the Gospel wherever it may be preached! Don't be afraid of something as asinine as denominational boundaries keep you from enjoying the message of the Gospel.

Sure, I admit, I get squeamish around snake handling churches too, but honestly? If I like how they preach, I'll probably still listen! 

Doesn't mean I'll be touching a snake though. No thanks.

The worst insult to a Christian

It's something we never think about. Actually, we probably think its one of the most positive and uplifting things we can say. It seems harmless, and to some, maybe it is. But to a Christian?

The worst thing you can ever say to a Christian is this:

"I idolize you."

You see when you say that, you're saying you put us on a pedestal, when we're as broken as can be. You're saying that we're better than you because our lives seem more "together" You're saying that you want to emulate US instead of Christ.You're putting us on the same pedestal that the Golden Calf was on and Jesus is being diminished.

I live a Matthew 20:16 life for this reason, so that Jesus may be exalted, and I may be humbled. I am a servant to the one true king. So please, never ever idolize a Christian. Revere the one who came before us, who died for us. He is the only one worthy of such praise.

The Hardest Part

Life is hard. Sometimes really hard. Sometimes unbearable.

What if you can't control your mind?

So many people of all faiths have such a hard time understanding that many people who are just like them on the outside, actually hurt unbearably inside.

People who, just like them, were made in the image of God. Yet internally, they battle themselves and cannot find rest as others can.

Why do we ostracize these people? 

Where is the healing and love that can be found in Christ?

I've heard Christians say: "You ought just wash your hands of this person. They'll never succeed."

I'm about to lose many of my readers because of what I am about to say:

God has put in the minds of those chosen, mental crises that would mar and destroy others of the same stock.

When Jesus went and healed the blind man, the Pharisees questioned the sin in which the family of the man had committed, or if he himself had committed a sin.

The children and adults who suffer, do not suffer for a sin they have committed, but suffer because God shall use them as the cornerstones for His grace.

Some families who claim Christianity give up those who come into this world with such disorders and ailments, because they feel as if God is punishing them.

It is not punishment, God shall use those who are afflicted just as much, if not more, than those without.

God's grace spares no one.

The most anointed of us, may be the most broken.

Amen. 

It was my soul that was sick.

Often we hear ministers and preachers, and teachers of God

speak about things that are meaningless to us.

They speak to us where THEY are and forget that...

At the core, their job is to be a guide for us; The people down HERE.

Sometimes there's such a disconnect that people get to the point of "mindless obedience."

No! I'll not preach like that, I'll not teach like that. 

A church is not a hotel for the saved and redeemed!

A church is a hospital for the sick of soul

A shelter for the broken and beaten down

A family for the orphan souls, newly adopted

A church is where the soul should flourish

The notion SHOULD be that Churches provide every need for the people.

My emphasis is on should.

I've seen churches take their members and beat them to submission

I've seen these shelters of hope, turn to dens of robbers

I've seen the orphan souls, freshly minted in Christ be reverted...

Reverted to the ways of the world, because the church hurt them so badly.

Where is the end?

When does the soul heal?

WHERE, Does the soul heal?

 “Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, 

and I will give you rest.

 Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble.

 And you will find rest for yourselves.

  My yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”

-Matthew 11:28-29 CEB

Like a Child

The innocence of a child is precious and wonderful. 

Jesus said in Luke 18:17 

That we must receive the kingdom of heaven like a child, 

(with all of the wonder and excitement that holds)

 in order to inherit it. 

All the love they hold in their hearts, 

all the smiles that cross their faces, 

all the fond memories they make for us 

and we help to make for them. 

God bless the children.

Amen.