My Glory

"Has a nation changed it gods, even though they are no gods?
But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.
Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD..."
Jeremiah 2:11-12

The glory of the people of God has always been God Himself. It's what makes them special. It's what makes them different from anyone else. It's all about WHO they belong to. I found this wonderful quote that illustrates this simply:

In any museum we will find quite ordinary things - clothes, a walking stick, a pen, pieces of furniture - which are only of value because they were possessed and used by some great person. It is the ownership which gives them worth. It is so with the Christian...The greatness of the Christian lies in the fact that he is God's.
~ William Barclay

Every time that Israel forgot God and mixed with the sinful worship and lifestyle of the nations around them, they became indistinct, there was no more beauty and the enemy nations around them had no reason to fear them anymore. The same principles are true today with those who profess to be disciples of Jesus Christ. It's not about our religious training or pedigree, it's just about whether or not we are truly walking with God, in Christ, right now.

I love to watch those 700 Club clips featuring the testimonies of people who have experienced God's power to transform them from the darkest lifestyles and hopeless situations. They often stir my heart and bring me to tears. I've watched ex-porn stars, exotic dancers, homosexual sex-addicts, drug addicts and dealers, chronic adulterers, witches and satanists, all shine, glow, beam, through my TV screen with the glory of God, proclaiming His power to deliver, to heal and to totally set free in Jesus Christ. I am not a melodramatic person. The beauty in those people really came through the TV camera and God was magnified.

So, whether we have a sordid history or not, you and I have no glory except our God. We have this glory because we belong to Him and He is with us and in us. Don't sell out! Don't sell out! Don't sell out!

Paper's personal touch

I mailed some greeting cards and letters abroad during the last three weeks and today I went to the post office to send off my last letter - for now. It was such a thrill to have an envelope in hand, with a postage stamp and then see it slide into the 'box' labelled 'Overseas.' I have missed that. I didn't realize it though, since all my communication with friends abroad has been via email, Facebook, Skype and phone calls and text messages for a very, very long time. According to an article by Tom Barlow, the 9th thing on the list of the Top 25 things vanishing from America is handwritten-letters. And I think there is just something about paper that seems to make the letter a keepsake. I do archive certain emails, but my paper greeting cards and letters go into a special box which I made for myself years ago. There is a certain satisfaction in browsing through it, even many months apart. There is something special about holding paper in your hand and imagining someone writing, thinking, signing...for the purpose of sending it to you.

Send someone a handwritten note today...or at least type a note on paper, print and send with a personal signature!

Prescription for pain: James 5:13

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. 
James 5:13

In the words of a popular hymn, "What a Friend we have in Jesus"

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886 

Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918

Choosing a Wife/Beauty is Vain - Tim Conway

This is a long video, but worth the watch, for any man or woman...I don't even limit this to singles. The godly principles are for everyone and may help you to pursue godliness even if you are already married.

Another perfect attribute of our God - be warned

"See now that I, even I, am He,
and there is no god beside Me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
and there is none that can deliver out of My hand."
Deuteronomy 32:39, ESV

It really bothers me when I hear people speak of God as if He is nothing more than a version of Santa Claus.  This benign, even weak figure-head of a nebulous set of principles for life (indeed, there are hardly principles since things tend to be taken on a case by case basis where our ideas of love are projected unto Him to justify what we want to do) smiles on everyone and shies away from making judgments about right and wrong, righteousness and sin. He can be disobeyed indefinitely and one should never expect chastening or punishment.

Yet, the God of the Bible is nothing like this. As if to reiterate this truth proved over and over again in the Old Testament record, Jesus says to us:

"But I will warn you Whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell.  Yes, I tell you, fear Him!"
Luke 12:5, ESV

The goodness and mercy of the LORD are unmatched. But so too is His power and wrath.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:31, ESV

Yes, we've been warned.

I Remember When You Used to Love Me

I was introduced to Blair Wingo today by Vee of Living Journey. All I can say is Wow. There are powerful messages in these 'slam poetry' pieces.

A message to both you and I: Come back to your First Love



First posted 12/2/09

The Power of the Blood

Through the blood of Jesus, I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil.
Ephesians 1:7

Through the blood of Jesus, all my sins are forgiven.
1 John 1:9

Through the blood of Jesus, I am continually being cleansed from all sin.
1 John 1:7

Through the blood of Jesus I am justified, made righteous, just-as-if-I’d never sinned.
Romans 5:9

Through the blood of Jesus, I am sanctified, made holy, set apart to God.
Hebrews 13:12

Through the blood of Jesus, I have boldness to enter into the presence of God.
Hebrews 10:19

The blood of Jesus cries out continually to God in heaven on my behalf.
Hebrews 12:24


{Excerpt from Derek Prince article - Beacuse of the Angels: The Climax of the Conflict. For great free resources and media go to www.derekprince.org}

"I Almost Threw It All Away"

This will be inspiring and insightful whether you're married or not.

One man's incredible testimony of how God's grace rescued him from his adultery and grave deception.

Click HERE

Whether or not you understand the bible's teaching on marriage-divorce issues as this guy and his wife now do, this is just an amazing account of what God can do. You will also see the clear battle between God's army and satan's cohorts.

I have been coming across various examples of the church of satan's agenda lately. You probably already know that they (satanists) have an international prayer & fasting mandate each year and it seems that it always includes destroying Christian marriages. So when a colleague of mine came across this testimony and shared the link with me, I am reminded of how very real this evil at work is.

P.S. Although some people think the world's problems, even Christians' problems, can be solved with psychology and basic morality, there still is sin, satan and something called evil, exercising force on lives and relationships.

First posted 3/25/09