Stephen the Stoned, I’m ‘Going Fishin’ for 6 months…

Remember Stephen from the Bible, book of Acts?  He was stoned to death.  For what?  For speaking truth, speaking out against the religious order of Jews at the time.  What did he say that was so bad, that deserved a death sentence?  Through the Spirit, he harshly rebuked the religious, calling them stiff-necked (they were), resistors of the Holy Spirit, and persecutors of prophets sent by GOD.

I’m ‘GOING FISHING’ for 6 months, by order.  I’ll be happy to pick up where I left off.

Goodbye!

Try Making a Christian Friend

I’m a fan of the show ‘Friends’ so hope they don’t make me take this photo down.

Nowadays, when friends come and go, friends don’t really help but just want to help themselves to you…etc.  Where are your true friends?

I tend to shy away from the term ‘Christian’.  I usually say I follow Jesus or I follow the Ywa, (Funny, I meant to type ‘Way”, but that’s good too).

But, why not try making a Christian friend?  Not all Christians are good, I’ll say that.  But some of the stories I heard are incredible:

-Christian women (beautiful ones) falling in love with men’s heart and not their looks.

-Christian woman falling in love with an inmate.  She would visit him every week until he was let out.  And then she ‘ministered’ to him.  He later became a pastor.

-Christian woman ministering to a legless ‘loser’. She loved him so much she would backpack him around.  Later, they married.  He became a pastor.

I have more stories, but I’ll save them for a later time.  GOD bless.

Being Sick

Sometimes being sick can be a time to spend with GOD and a time to reflect.

So often, we speed through life trying to get what we think we want.  And often we think we are the masters of our destiny and authors of our own lives.  But, we’re not.  At most, we’re co-authors with GOD.

Today, I was sick.  And often, I’m telling my wife what to do.  But today she got so many things done with out me.  And she did it with such joy.  I was humbled.

Also, I have been working like a madman – worrying about money so much these last few days, almost a week.  I just hear GOD asking me to trust Him.  He will provide.

Where’s my faith?  Sometimes I just don’t know.

- – - – - -

*C0ugh* Good nite all.

Letter to You!

You!

Yah, you!

You are called to be a supernatural administrator of GOD’s wealth. Not you? Okay, then stop reading..

Okay, you!

Psalm 5 – blessings, favor

I’ve been hearing and seeing a lot of talk, ‘talk’ about blessings and favor.

Do you believe it?

Of course, the blessings don’t come from noone or nowhere, they come from the LORD of the universe, Jesus Christ!

I believe it.

Many of us were raised by our parents, not to ask for too much. That’s understandable, but our GOD, the one who created the vast universe, put every star and planet in its place, is rich. Not Bill Gates rich. I’m talking RICH! Really, really, really rich.

Can you see it?

If you can’t, that’s alright too. Not everyone reflects this nature of GOD. But its best to know, for you, that GOD provides your every need. There is no need to be in poverty.

Not realistic? But that’s the point. GOD is not a ‘realist’. He is fantastic and supernatural! If HE can speak everything into existence, why can’t He help everyone in a amazing, magical way? I know He wants to…I know that Heavenly Father wants to show up BIG in your life.

But you have to believe it. C’mon, you can do it. You have to receive it, into your heart. Wake up every morning and say, ‘Dad, I did that thing the other day, you saw it. Wasn’t that good? Where’s my reward?’ GOD is a rewarder. Try Him. Don’t be afraid to be like a child. Dependent on the Father. He likes that. Don’t be like an ‘adult’ and so independent. If you don’t need GOD’s help…He won’t bother you. But, He just might do something for you behind the scenes. He’s ‘tricky’ like that…He’s so good.

I’m not preaching prosperity and health. Ooo that’s so bad. I’m preaching the truth. I’m not saying you are bad if you don’t have money or good health. You could be going through testing like Job. But, if you are called to be an administrator of GOD’s wealth, that is truly your calling, and a desire in your heart, then follow that. Even if you get criticisms from other in GOD’s body. Only you and GOD, at least in the beginning, will know what’s up. It’s a GOD thing, between you and Him. Later, I’m sure you will be established in the community as being a so-and-so, prophet, healer, giver, etc…

Spirit, Soul, and Body

My theory on all of this:

GOD created people to have three parts to them – the spirit of man, soul, and the body.

The body is the most simple to explain.  Everyone has a body, it is flesh.  With a body, we are able to move, work, speak, …do things on this earth.  The Bible explains this body to be a vessel.  A vessel to be filled with spirit.

Let’s get back to that later.  We can all agree that the body is under control of the mind.  We want to watch tv, so we tell the body to get up, turn on the tv, and sit on the couch, so we can veg.

Scientists tell us the mind is in the brain.  Is that the soul?  Most clergyman will agree that the soul is the mind, will, and the intellect.  I got that memorized.

Instead of thinking so analytically, I like to thing that man is integrated of these three ‘parts’.  The body is well, the body.  The soul is ‘who you are’, your essence, your individuality.  Your spirit is also who you are, but it is the ‘part’ of you that can connect with GOD.

I have another theory that the body, soul, and spirit are all linked.  Only GOD can cut them apart.  And He did, He does.  When people die, their bodies return to the earth.  So, there is a cleavage between body and soul.  GOD does that.  If you don’t have ’spirit’, meaning Holy Spirit, or spirit of GOD, then your soul stays down on the earth.  It doesn’t ‘fly up’ to join with the Spirit of the Universe, GOD.  Remember Adam and Eve, they sinned.  GOD cut the link between spirit and soul.  So, they lost their ‘life-line’ to GOD.  If you don’t have spirit to connect with GOD, your heart is bad.

More on this later, I gotta go to bed.  Good nite!

GOD is number 1

GOD is not only the best in the universe, I’d like to talk about a meaning of the number 1, and that is unity.

How did I happen on this?  That GOD values unity?

The prayer before Jesus Christ went to the cross, how did it go?  Basically, He prayed that we would all be one, and that we would be one with Jesus, and one with the Father.  Wasn’t that it? 

The Worship Concert Phenomenon

Look at these people worship.

They are closing their eyes.  Reaching out with their hands to touch GOD.

The expressions on their faces are of peace, sadness, adoration, ecstacy, longing, etc…

It must be a very strange sight to people who don’t believe in GOD.

But, they’re spirits are touching the very Spirit of GOD.

Its very powerful.

Not everyone expresses themselves this way.  You don’t have to be like this to be counted one of the faithful.

- – - – - -

Part of this is the music that draws people into ‘that place’ of worship.  Some people, like to be out in nature, some more privately listen to music and worship in their own way.

I believe when you reach out to GOD, He reaches back.  So don’t stop.  Call out to Him, talk to Him, reach, come near.  This is how a realtionship with El Shaddai begins.

 

Letter to my son(s)

Hey son,

In case these thoughts never make it to you when its appropriate, I’m writing them down.

I want you to be someone’s knight in shining armor.

I believe that each person has a perfect mate.  You just have to find her.  GOD made man and woman for each other.  How do you find this person?  Have faith, in time, with GOD’s blessing, He will bring the two of you together.

It’s not that simple.  Well, the complications will be another letter.

I don’t want you to ‘date’.  Not the normal dating we see in our society, in our culture.  I’ll call it what it is.  It’s just trying out a girl.  You buy her things, and then she gives you sex.  That’s crazy.  Is that honorable?  I did it, but I’m not proud of that.

Its good to be friends with girls.  Its okay to care about girls.  But you don’t own them or anything.  Be careful with how much time, how you speak to them, how much you help them, how much you give them.  I know when you’re ready for a girlfriend, its easy to go full speed and end up in trouble.  You have to keep your head on straight.  Stay grounded.  Guard your heart.

So you have all these feelings, what do you do?  I’ll help you the best I can.  I have nothing against you getting married early.  Marriage by the way is not about the fancy ceremony, ring, or any of that.  It is about a commitment to love, treasure, and keep the other person for a lifetime and vice versa.

For me.  I wasn’t ready to marry your mom until I was somewhat financially stable.  So, get stable as soon as you can.  Then you can start your life.  Having someone (wife), is an incredible feeling.  And when you have a son, its just so amazing.  A daughter is good too, but as of this writing I don’t have one.  I didn’t start my family until 35.  Mostly, I believe, because GOD had to change me a lot, before He would bless me.

This letter is getting out of control.  My point in this letter is to honor and respect women.  That is something I didn’t do — not really until I got to know Jesus Christ.  He changed me.  And then even after I got married to your mom, I had a lot of changing and learning to do.

The way you honor and respect women in your teens to twenties is not to mess with them.  Allow them to be beautiful and pure.  Just get to know them, so you know who is good and who is bad.  Later, when you are nearing marriage time, get to know them to see who likes you back.  And then, when you are really almost ready to go, pray, pray, pray — invite GOD to help you find your love of your life and partner through your life.  He will not disappoint you.  He will bring the two of you together.

I make it sound simple, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.  Getting there, is hard and trying.  But all the more to depend on Jesus.

-daddy

 

 

 

Family Life – I like you the way you are…

In the stillness of the night…it’s almost 3am,

I see my baby boy’s toys strewn across the floor.  Behind me is my wife’s desk, a mess…like spaghetti.

During the day, I’ve looked at these things and lamented.  I’m by nature an organized and neat person.  My wife and baby boy are organized mess people.  They usually can’t find what they need right away, but eventually do.  I’m not saying my way is really significantly better.  But I like things the way ‘I’ like them.  I didn’t say anything today.  But sometimes I do.  And it makes my wife feel bad.  I really shouldn’t do such things.

Well, in such moments as these,  a little voice inside me says that I should appreciate my wife and son, just..the..way..they..are.

One day, I’ll miss those toys all over the floor.

‘Savor these moments.  Don’t get angry over them.’

Yes.

If I get mad at baby about this, soon, I’ll just feel bad about that.  Regret will set in.

Maybe I’m just too neurotic about neatness.  Maybe GOD put my wife and I together to cure this ill of mine.  I should just take my medicine like a good boy.

Anyways, can’t being too organized be a time killer too?  With all we have to do, instead of organizing…can’t we be having more fun?  Yes!

……………………………………..

Well wife and son, this is the real me, saying “I like you both the way you are.”

‘Don’t change on account of me.’

‘Don’t let me change you.’

‘Be yourself.’

‘Be happy with who you are.’

‘I’m sorry if I make you feel bad.’

‘I’m not always right.’

‘Sorry.’

‘I love you both.’

‘Good nite!’

-daddy

 

 

 

 

Do the right thing

There was a movie by Spike Lee called ‘Do the Right Thing’

I’d like to re-iterate that by saying, in life we have to try to do the right thing.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, we know that this is more akin to following what you know is right in your heart, rather than what everyone else is doing.

Some injustices are perpetrated by culture, for example inheritance.  In most cultures, men inherit and women get nothing.  This, in my opinion, is not right.  It is true men carry the family name, but more often women are the ones that are helping (for example taking care of elderly parents).  Women should receive something, because when they get married, it is not the best for them to not have anything and totally live off the husband’s family money.  That could be a source of tension and conflict.

Second wives were and still are common in many cultures.  But, the Bible shows us that men and women were created for each other to be ‘one’.  So one man for one woman, and vice-versa.

So, be revolutionary and dare to ‘do the right thing’.

Gender roles – just my take

Traditionally, men do certain things and women do certain things.  For example, men don’t do most housework, instead they work in the yard.  These divisions exist for a reason.  Mainly, I believe, as a division of labor, so one person isn’t doing everything, and that each person has their specialty.

I’d like to posit that men and women, instead of drawing territorial lines and expecting each other to do this and that, should work on most everything together.

My example is cleaning.  Okay, in general, women clean.  Men don’t clean.  But, what if something is very dirty.  Like poop all over the place or getting under furniture or around heavy furniture.  You gotta call in a guy.  So, here we see categories are not that clear cut.

Another example is, let’s say a guy has to change a light bulb that is very high up.  The lady could help by holding things or passing him things.  If not, the guy has to go up and down the ladder and hold a lot of things.  This could be dangerous.  Something as simple as holding the ladder, passing things, is very important and makes things go a lot easier.

So, what do you think?  Clear cut division of labor?  Or couples working together?  Its your call.

GOD saved my life, He is real

I remember my life before I let Jesus Christ in.

It was full of uncontrollable strife, I could not do good.

Things went so out of control and down, that I tried to take my life.

…

But GOD, our LORD Jesus Christ is stronger than that.  He saved my life, when I should have died.  And then He made himself ‘real’ to me.  He spoke to me and that started my journey of faith with Him.

This is a story I’ve told many times.  I won’t lie, I sometimes get tired of telling it.  But the main point is that GOD is a GOD of miracles.  He wants to show up big in your life, if you’ll let Him.  He doesn’t mind proving Himself to you, and building up a real relationship over time.  He’ll back up every one of His promises in the Bible with real acts and blessings in your life.  So that eventually, He will be everything to you.  Not just in faith and hope, but in reality.  You can point back to times in your life, when GOD did this and that for you.

Hang in there, and witness the goodness of GOD!

Psalm 91 – GOD Protects!

Psalm 91

¹ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,

⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.

⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-

¹⁰ then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.

¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

¹³ You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

That’s powerful.  And we can trust this, GOD says it.  Lately, someone came into our little family’s lives and wrecked some havoc.  No problem.  We’ll just undo everything.  But, we are confident that GOD has our backs…and fronts…all around!  No one can touch us unless GOD Almighty says so first.  We will not fear.  Evil will be punished.  And all damages will be restored and even increased.  Just like in the story of Job.

Fear not.

 

Digeus SnapIt – Product Review

The folk(s) over at Digeus, actually approached me to put a link to their website.  How cool is that?

Please visit their site using the above link, or the one in the sidebar.  They make software useful for optimizing your system and other cool software like SnapIt and the Digeus Online TV Player.

They showed me their SnapIt software.  Basically, Mac users, it makes printscreen on the Windows more like ‘printscreen’ on the Mac.  I hope its ok to say that.  While SnapIt is running, when one presses printscreen (Its actually written Print Screen, but me writing it together makes it look more like a button, go figure) a cross appears, and then one can drag to create an area.  That area is what gets copied to the Windows clipboard.  One then can paste it into various programs.  Not all programs will be able to paste.

But, the coolest feature is one can turn on auto save, so that every printscreen is saved to a designated folder.  I created the above picture for this post really rather quickly.  I snapped it, and then I uploaded the picture from the SnapIt pictures folder.  Before SnapIt, I would have to hit printscreen, open my graphics program, wait, then create a canvas, paste from the clipboard, crop the picture, then save it as a .gif or .jpeg.  Whew!

Free Trial Downloads available!  Irreplaceable tool for Designers, Office Workers, Business People, Analysts.  Perfect for Technical Writers who have to describe interfaces, menus, buttons, etc.

Maybe now I can do some Tech. writing?  Maybe! Thanks, Digeus!

Meditations on Ephesians 3:14-19

Prayer for us:

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

First of all, the Ephesians were saints.  If one were to look at how the letters are addressed, most of them are to the church at where and where.  But St. Paul calls the Ephesians, “saints”.  Cool, huh?

Looking at verse 16, we see that GOD’s Spirit strengthens our spirit.  Yes, we have spirits, the ‘inner being’.  Our spirits are strengthen when we are united with GOD’s Spirit.  The goal is that Christ live in our hearts.  This is done through faith, GOD’s Word working with, in, thru us.  Faith allows us to ‘connect’ with GOD.

It seems that we are built up in love.  GOD is love.  But, a main thing, is if we understand just how great GOD’s love is for us, then we know, which has tones of intimacy, we experience GOD’s love, then GOD fills us with himself, which is love, He fills us with His love, to an infinite measure!  Deep stuff, huh?

St. Paul prays for the two things are: Unity w/ GOD (comes power), and to be filled with GOD’s love (power).  Love fuels the pump that is the heart that drives the whole person.

Dear Child or Children

Dear Child or Children,

I raised you up, taught you all I knew, poured my resources into you.  Loved you.

And when you grew up, you didn’t need me anymore.  I gave you more, I gave you inheritance.

Now, I’m 90 years old.  My mind is going…my body was gone long ago.  Now, I need care.  I’m helpless like a babe.

Where are you?  You don’t want me now that I’m old, now that I have nothing to offer you.

- – - – - – - – - -

Comment:  Its sad.  The elderly often don’t have family that cares.  Doesn’t it make sense that dad and mom changed your diapers, so later you change their diapers?  Well, you don’t have to, you can hire a nurse to do it.

I know a family of 5 grown kids.  No one wants to chip in to help take care.  Only 1 kid is caring.  And she’s not a son.  She’s getting old herself and the other kids don’t want to care, they don’t want money from the 1 kid (cause she’s rich).  Sad, sad, sad.

Hallelujah! I just lost 25 pounds!

Since I’ve been back from Taiwan, I’ve been losing weight.  From Oct. 2 til now, Oct.31, I’ve lost 25 pounds!

How did I do it?

Sinner or Righteous?

Jesus Christ himself rather went after the ’sinners’ and harshly rebuked the ‘righteous’.

Which one are you?

Sinners were those unchurched, not going to church.  The righteous were regular, church going people.  But why would Christ be harsh with the righteous?  Aren’t they doing the right thing by religiously going to the (temple)?

I believe GOD looks right into our hearts.  And although both sinners and the righteous, sin.  There is great hypocrisy in many churches, even today.  Many in church leadership, even today, are leading church-goers down, down, down.  As Christ said,”

Get a Girlfriend

This is a message from GOD…”get a girlfriend”

…

Just joking.  Or actually half-joking.

I’m not really qualified, but I’ve done so much of the wrong thing when it comes to girls/women that I now have an idea of what the right thing could be.

I think the problem with some guys and girls is that they take things too fast.  They get serious too soon.

Why not just be a friend to some girl?  Why do you have to show off, buy her a lot of stuff, and try to get into her pants.  Sorry, if that statement offends.

You could talk to her on the phone.  You could meet for coffee.  How about remembering her birthday?  Or helping her when she needs it, like closing her typhoon shutters or helping her move something.

Maybe you could have one, or two, or even three girls that are friends.  Because its not serious.  But, just get to know the person.  Care about her.  And overtime, you will see if she returns your care.  You will see if she responds.  And overtime, you will see if she is right for you.

My Long Testimony

What is a testimony?

It is not really saying something nice about Jesus, the textbook defintion of a testimony is:  A solemn statement made under oath.

So what would I like to testify to today?  That the True Gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Why be Wronged?

The Apostle Paul tells us that instead of taking brothers to court, why not be wronged?

That is an interesting concept.

An Eye for an Eye

³⁸“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. ⁴¹If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ⁴²Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.  -Jesus Christ, fr. Matthew 5.

My mom a while back, said this is hard to do.  My wife tells me its kind of dumb.  But, this is Jesus’s way.  And He is the Way.

The point is do not be afraid to be ‘taken advantage’ of, to be wronged.  Be a giver for the LORD.  Give your body, your belongings, your time, your energy, your money…to win people for the LORD.   Don’t be afraid to give your all to the LORD.  After all, He can fill you up, again and again.

Elijah the Prophet, Well to Do?

Elijah the Prophet is an interesting character from the Bible, 1 Kings.

He bursts on the scene w/ no introduction, performs wonderous miracles and signs, and then after a few chapters is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind.

But here’s a question – what did he do to feed himself?  Was he rich?  Poor?  Some people would say he totally depended on the LORD as shown by being fed by ravens and being fed by the widow of Zarephath.  But I’m not so sure.  These are just my thoughts.  Some musings, if you will…

Can Men and Women Be Friends?

For those of us who remember When Harry Met Sally, the movie…remember that question?

‘Can Men and Women be friends?’

My answer is yes.  I’ll say why I think so.

Be the light, To Be p.5

Jesus Christ, told us to be the salt and the light.  I’d like to talk about being light this post.  What do the scriptures say?  Let’s see:

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14

also:

³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

⁶There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. ⁸He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. ⁹The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. – John 1:3-9

Say Yes to Your Wife

To all the young, unmarried ones out there.  Might I pass some of my experience to you?

In the beginning of our marriage, my wife and I were two individuals who got married mostly for selfish reasons.  But, as the LORD would have it, we had a baby almost right away.  And so, we blessed each other greatly, and our love for each other grew.  There were times when I could see, that my son, only wanted my wife to comfort him.  I could see that my wife was so important to the family; necessary.  And so my respect and love for her grew more.  It’s only been two years, and we still have our share of fights, but we’re very happy.  A big part of it was learning how to love and respect each other.  Also, learning who this other person is, and celebrating their gifts but also learning how to get along despite differences and shortcomings.

Now, comes the saying ‘yes’ part.  I get selfish and lazy too.  After working hard all day, and helping others.  Quite often, I’ll shut off when I go home and fail to serve my wife.  That just doesn’t make sense.  I used to not want to help around the house, do things she asked, or just spend time talking with her.  Why not?  After all, she and I (and GOD) make up the main part of the family.  When the communication and caring break down, the family unit will break down.  I’ve learned to always say ‘yes’ to what my wife says.  Not because I’m whipped.  Sometimes I’ll say ‘no’, but then change my mind and say ‘yes’.  I say ‘yes’, because it shows that I care about what she thinks.  It also shows that I care about her needs.  Sometimes, my wife will ask for too much.  But I say ‘yes’ anyways, because, quite often, she thinks about it and changes her mind.  So, I don’t have to be a bad guy.  I just agree, and always say ‘yes’.  After all, she said ‘yes’ or ‘I do’ to me…and it changed my life!  So much better now!  I pray the LORD keep us together always, and happily together!

Be Generous – To Be p4

Generosity is easy to talk about, but hard to do consistently.  Basically GOD gives to us, so we can enjoy life, but also so that we may help others.  Be blessed to be a blessing.  Here are some Bible verses and comments:

⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written:

“He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”

¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2 Cor. 9

Love your Women

Love women.  We should all love one another.  But today, I’d like to talk specifically about women.  Women are different from men.  Not better, not worse, just not the same.  That doesn’t mean men have to be like women, or women have to be like men.  But, men and women should work together in harmony, as a team.

We should appreciate each other’s differences.  After, we complement one another.  We should appreciate each other’s talents and contributions.  GOD put men and women together because they can help each other.  Since I’ve been married, my wife has helped me make smarter decisions.  Major decisions we always make together with prayer and consideration.  GOD’s opinion counts the most.  We often wait for an indication, usually through circumstances, of how He wants us to go.  Back to women, guys usually make decisions very quickly, which can be detrimental.  Women, at least my wife makes me slow down and think about it, because they are usually by nature more cautious.  Funny to say, usually I’m right.  But, not all the time.  And taking time to do things right is usually the best policy, because things get shaken out, and turn aright over time, by GOD’s grace.

Men, loving your women means valuing them.  And making them feel loved and secure.  If that involves working another job, then so be it.  Your priorities, on this earth, after GOD, is to take care of your own, your family.  That is true religion.  Speak words of love.  Words that will lift her spirit, make her feel cherished, and never say things to tear her down.  As husband, you have responsibility to look after her – even rebuking her, when she is in the wrong, when that time comes.  Care for her as you would care for your own body.  Is her hair nice?  Is she in shape?  Wearing nice clothes?  Does she look like a queen? Is she eating, drinking, and sleeping well?

Women, you have to love your men, too.  Love involves a lot of things.  But I’d like to say respecting his leadership is part of loving him.  GOD create man before woman.  That order means something.  Leadership in GOD’s eyes is actually not lording over but a loving, servant type leadership.  A gentle, patient leading…not pushing or forcing.

Just My Take – Parable of the Sower

I’d just like to say a few things about this parable:

Many preachers get it right by saying this is about your heart condition.  Is your heart in a good condition to receive the seed of GOD’s Word’s of Truth?

Your heart condition is how sinful is your heart.  If you have a very sinful heart…you will not be able to understand Words of Spiritual Truth.

God ‘knows’ everybody

I was thinking one day.  ‘Doesn’t GOD know everybody, since He is Omniscient, and yes, He created everyone and everything?”

That’s true isn’t it?

And aren’t we supposed to be like our Father?

Then why is it, that someone whom you met, or are acquaintences with gets a ‘look away’ from you.  Or maybe you don’t take the time to say hello, when you know you should?