Tuesday, May 26, 2009

What is HE to you?


I have been thinking and reading on a certain subject that may seem '' over the top'' to some of you who frequent my blog. However, in light of current tendancies in the church world today, I know that my feelings on the matter are valid.


There was a time when I thought it was indeed wrong to express my thoughts of others in the crowd would not be in agreement. This way of thinking has changed within me and I think it is morally wrong to not be true to ones self. There are ways to do that without being an offence.


In todays church world we hear so many ministers telling the people that "God will supply every need you have; just come join my church, be faithful to this church and you will get everything you need from God" Never think for one minute that I do not belive the God will not supply our needs; as I know HE will do that. However, they may be a bit different than what we think is our needs.


To many people today, this trend in evangelist circles has made people to treat God as though he is a Bellhop or an office boy that is forever at our beckon call and comes running to fulfill all the requests of the day.


Is God at your beacon call? Is He a present help in time of trouble? Yes, He is that and much more. However, what you ask HIM to do for you needs to be in accordance with what HE knows is best for you. As you do not have a crystal ball, He is the only one who knows what is best.


Our every wish is not always granted. Shame! But, I need that! Why, of why does not God give me that job, house, girl or whatever we demand from HIM.

Is God only good when he gives us things? Is he bad when we don`t get what we ask for?

When I was operated on for cancer seven years ago, and I was given the results of the operation that it was a good report and the doctor felt I was free of any further problems, I was thankful. I praised God for his mercy in my life.

A friend called me and said to me '' God is good as you are ok and do not have to go through any treatments''. I told her then, "if the results are bad or good.....God is still good to me.''. I feel that God is always good to us all. Some have a harder time in life than others. Just look around and you will see I am right in this. Not everyone has a rosy life style. Some have a very hard time just living. But, God is always good to us.
The only way to live is to believe correctly as to the position of God in our lives is to belive that if something is Gods will, then that is the way it will be. That will be the best way for us in the long run.
God is not my office boy. He does not have to run and do what I demand of HIM. What kind of parent would do that? One who does not really love their child. Many things are witheld from us because He loves us.
Think about it. Consider it and never waste your time resenting God because you don1t get what you want just when you want it.

Monday, May 11, 2009

MAKING DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE

Lately I have been hearing people talking about decorating their home and buying new clothes and going on trips and buying this or buying that.
On the same day I read about the economy in the USA and know that it is really bad and many people are suffering daily because of it. Thousands have lost their jobs due to bad decisions of our government. Sad to say, but it is true. How can a country spend more than it brings in? Raise taxes! So now, all those who are not working can collect from the government money it does not have unless they take it from the PEOPLE.

I am of the opinion that most folks have forgotten to "make do" with what they have. Making do does not mean you can never do better, but it is the understanding that for now we can not do or go or buy what we THINK we need.

There is a huge difference between needs and wants. Most people in the United States do not understand this whatsoever. Sorry, but that is my thought. It is my blog!

Living in Brazil for so many years has helped me to see another side of life. How can so many people in the world be content to have so little, while there are others who have so much already and are not at all content in thier life.

Now days it is easier to just go in debt rather than just "make do" until the money is available to do more.
No one wants to just "make do" with what they have. If they can't have something new or better than others around them then they feel they are being left out or they feel underpriviledged.

The thought is now days........"will it match my decor? "if not, then I could not possibily use that".
Is it the right color? if not, then I could not possibly use it".
"Throw out all those decorations as in the new house they would not fit in".

Some folks only know how to make do with what they have. They accept the fact it is impossible to have a refrigerator for now, so they will just get by until they can afford to buy one that works. That would be difficult for me to do, but I know many who can not afford the luxury of a way to keep milk or water cold. Yet, they don't whine and cry about it day and night but just plan towards the day when they can. They use what they have ability to pay for until they can do better.

I admire this way of life. I guess I have been here in Brazil to long and known to many people who I admire a great deal who live with so little and yet they are really happy and find contentment in having a bit less of this worlds goods and pleasures.

Maybe some would say I have a "salvation army" attitude. Maybe I have had to "make do" for so long it is a way of life. Is being content with little a bad thing? I don't think so. Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Grandmothers Hands


GRANDMA'S HANDS
Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK .

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK.

She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking,' she said in a clear strong voice .

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean really looked at your hands?' I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story: 'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.