I want to talk about a touchy subject for a lot of women. I want to step out there and say something that might be sensitive to a lot of women and men, but if I am going to do this I have to be real about it. First to the men... Have you ever noticed the way both women and young women dress? We can't even go the mall or out to eat with out being faced with the temptation of looking. We might be totally happy in our marriage, but when it is put in front of us, we have to look away. As soon as we do, there will be another women walking by the other direction and you just can't get away from it. I wonder what would happen if we as men dressed our daughters and asked our wives to cover themselves more. Do you think it might help the men stay more focused on what they are doing?
Women, I have talked to my wife about this and she says I have no idea how hard it is for a women to live in today's world where you feel like you are competing with brand names and fashion, whats in and what is not. I do know that I am proud of my wife and the way she dresses. I hope that everyone that reads this will take a look at themselves and see how they are dressed and ask yourself - am I causing a man to stumble today? Is my wife going to cause a man to stumble? Is my daughter dressed in a way that will cause young men to be tempted? I guess the main question would be - Is God pleased with the way you are dressed and what women and young girls are wearing? James 1: 14 "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 then when desires has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is birth gives way to death". I know this may sound like I am putting pressure on women and the way they dress and in a way I am, but women need to think about what they are wearing...especially to church. Women, I am not saying in anyway that it is all up to you or that men are not strong enough to resist, but it is hard enough with out any distractions.
For the Men. Where are you with Christ today? Are you tempted by women? Are you tempted by any other temptations this world has to offer? I know I am!!! I am being real when I say there are things in this world I fight off everyday, but I sit here today and say God is my strength and I seek Him for the rest we all need daily. Men we are called to be the head of our house and will be held accountable someday for what we do and what we do not do, meaning letting the women and daughters in our house go out dressed in a inappropriate manner. You might say what would that be? Well think about what catches your eye when a woman walks in front of you.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Man or mouse?
Man or mouse? Where do you see yourself today?
The Word of God (the bible) is full of men that were truly men. Let's back up and ask what is a man? THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION!!!I have people say things like.... a man takes care of business, a man works and then comes home and sits in his chair and watches the tv. Wow if that is all a man is where do I sign up? The truth is, men are much more than that. We need to know that God has a special purpose for our lives. He has designed us to be warriors for him, but with love kindness and to use the strength that only comes from Him.
The thing is, there are so many different thoughts on what a man's role is. I believe there is a lot more to a man than putting out fires. We are the backbone of our family. We hold things together when it seems things are falling apart around us. I heard a saying one time that made me stop and think..... a man will get up in the middle of the night and go to the door, open it without any fear of what might be on the other side. When you get to the point of saying there is nothing in this world that can keep me from going to the door and facing the unknown, this will take you to a deeper emotional walk in your life.
As far as I know there is only one way to be able to do this. It is the strength that only comes from God. His strength is sufficient in all circumstances. He is there when you open the door to face whatever the world has thrown at you
You just have to remember to take Him with you. If you feel He is not with you then ask yourself who moved first?
The Word of God (the bible) is full of men that were truly men. Let's back up and ask what is a man? THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION!!!I have people say things like.... a man takes care of business, a man works and then comes home and sits in his chair and watches the tv. Wow if that is all a man is where do I sign up? The truth is, men are much more than that. We need to know that God has a special purpose for our lives. He has designed us to be warriors for him, but with love kindness and to use the strength that only comes from Him.
The thing is, there are so many different thoughts on what a man's role is. I believe there is a lot more to a man than putting out fires. We are the backbone of our family. We hold things together when it seems things are falling apart around us. I heard a saying one time that made me stop and think..... a man will get up in the middle of the night and go to the door, open it without any fear of what might be on the other side. When you get to the point of saying there is nothing in this world that can keep me from going to the door and facing the unknown, this will take you to a deeper emotional walk in your life.
As far as I know there is only one way to be able to do this. It is the strength that only comes from God. His strength is sufficient in all circumstances. He is there when you open the door to face whatever the world has thrown at you
You just have to remember to take Him with you. If you feel He is not with you then ask yourself who moved first?
Friday, November 20, 2009
He Comforts Us
2 Corintians 1:3 Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of comfort. Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any troubles with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed , it is for your (our) comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort which produces in you patient endurance of the same suffering we suffer.
I read this the other day and shared it with a friend. He asked me to share what I got out of it. As I started to tell him, I felt something down deep say yeah, what did you get out of it? So I went back this morning, read it again and asked... ok - what did you really get out of it? What I came up with is really simple. The same way that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit comforts us and has compassion for us, it should be the same way for our children and family. When we are teaching our kids to ride a bike we know that things are going to happen. We know they will crash and get hurt but we need to teach them and help them through it so that they can accomplish it. While they are hurting, do we not say to them it will be ok, I'm here, I wouldn't do this if I did not think you could? It says in the word He will not give us more then we can handle and I believe He is saying it again in these verses by saying He is there for us to comfort us when we fall and has compassion for us when we are hurting from our troubles.
Where are you today? Are you hurting? Do you know that God is there? All you need to do is believe and call on Him.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Kicking Rocks
Have you ever been in a parking lot or out in the desert kicking rocks? The chances are you really had something serious on you mind or the extreme opposite. You were not thinking anything and you were just hoping something would come along that would give you some meaning.
I have kicked my share of rocks. I have found that if you are out there too long kicking rocks, thinking, or just aimlessly wondering around you can wonder off into a place you do not need to be. I'm not saying being in the wilderness or desert is bad, you just do not need to stay there any longer then you need to. What has happened to me in the past when I was out there I would forget the reason I was there to begin with. It usually followed a time of obedience to God where I was reading my bible, praying, writing in my journal, or just being still and talking with God.
I hear a lot of people say I do not understand why I'm out here in the desert or wilderness I have been trying to do the best I can. I also have said the same things, forgetting that I am in a spiritual war with the flesh and all the things of this world
Paul told the Galatians "For the flesh sets its desire against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please" Galatians : 5-17 nasb.
I think its time we stop kicking rocks and do something more with our time when we are in the desert! We need to seek God in a whole new way, ask him for guidance ask him for a new anointing and keep seeking him in every moment so we do not drift off to a place where we are by ourselves wondering what happened.
I have kicked my share of rocks. I have found that if you are out there too long kicking rocks, thinking, or just aimlessly wondering around you can wonder off into a place you do not need to be. I'm not saying being in the wilderness or desert is bad, you just do not need to stay there any longer then you need to. What has happened to me in the past when I was out there I would forget the reason I was there to begin with. It usually followed a time of obedience to God where I was reading my bible, praying, writing in my journal, or just being still and talking with God.
I hear a lot of people say I do not understand why I'm out here in the desert or wilderness I have been trying to do the best I can. I also have said the same things, forgetting that I am in a spiritual war with the flesh and all the things of this world
Paul told the Galatians "For the flesh sets its desire against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please" Galatians : 5-17 nasb.
I think its time we stop kicking rocks and do something more with our time when we are in the desert! We need to seek God in a whole new way, ask him for guidance ask him for a new anointing and keep seeking him in every moment so we do not drift off to a place where we are by ourselves wondering what happened.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Chapters of a Book
Chapters in our lives...we all have them. When does a chapter close and a new one begin? I have had so many chapters in my life that I feel my life could be one of the biggest boooks ever. Some people call these seasons or trials, but I like to call them chapters.
We all go through things in our lives that are happy, sad, hard and trying. For me it is easier to look at them as chapters because its something we all must go through to get to the end of the book. So many times at the end of a book things turn out good and or better than we could have imagined.
To me this is the way a lot of Christians' lives are. We go through a lot of the same struggles, temptations, and heartaches but we seem to handle them different. Some of us look to the things of the world some of us look to God.
As we go through the book of our lives and turn the pages in our lives and go from one chapter to another we somtimes we get tired of living in the time of the chapter we are in and try to skip to a chapter that looks more exciting or interesting. The problem with this is that when we skip too many pages we get lost on what is going on. We have missed a crucial part in the book that would have lead us into the next chapter if we would have held on.
Remember, we all go through chapters in our lives that may seem pointless but if you will stay in it until its done and see that chapter through you will have a better understanding when you go to the next chapter.
We all go through things in our lives that are happy, sad, hard and trying. For me it is easier to look at them as chapters because its something we all must go through to get to the end of the book. So many times at the end of a book things turn out good and or better than we could have imagined.
To me this is the way a lot of Christians' lives are. We go through a lot of the same struggles, temptations, and heartaches but we seem to handle them different. Some of us look to the things of the world some of us look to God.
As we go through the book of our lives and turn the pages in our lives and go from one chapter to another we somtimes we get tired of living in the time of the chapter we are in and try to skip to a chapter that looks more exciting or interesting. The problem with this is that when we skip too many pages we get lost on what is going on. We have missed a crucial part in the book that would have lead us into the next chapter if we would have held on.
Remember, we all go through chapters in our lives that may seem pointless but if you will stay in it until its done and see that chapter through you will have a better understanding when you go to the next chapter.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Fine Line
I have heard the expresion used a lot lately. I know its only a figure of speech but people sure ues it a lot. Fine line, what does that really mean? The way I have heard it used when people are talking about sin or scriptures. Sometimes when someone does something that is not acceptible to the world but is of God they say well "there is a fine line there". This may offend some of you but I would like to use drinking as an example. So many people say its okay to drink as long as they do not get drunk with it.
Lets look at this scenerio, let's say you are in out to eat with your family or friends and you are finished eating and someone you have been trying to get to church walks in and sees you with a beer on the table. What is the first thing that person is going to think? I could not find where it says you cannot drink but it did say do not get drunk on wine. Even though you only had one beer or glass of wine you just became a stumbling block to that person.
So many Christians believe it is ok to drink as long as they do not get drunk! We as Christians are supposed to try and be like Christ. I'm not in anyway saying I am perfect, but I do believe we can all do better. I think the first step is to stop saying there is such a fine line, and start reading the whole truth of the Word, not just the parts that makes it seem ok to do some of them. There are 2 lines - RIGHT and WRONG. NO FINE LINES!
Lets look at this scenerio, let's say you are in out to eat with your family or friends and you are finished eating and someone you have been trying to get to church walks in and sees you with a beer on the table. What is the first thing that person is going to think? I could not find where it says you cannot drink but it did say do not get drunk on wine. Even though you only had one beer or glass of wine you just became a stumbling block to that person.
So many Christians believe it is ok to drink as long as they do not get drunk! We as Christians are supposed to try and be like Christ. I'm not in anyway saying I am perfect, but I do believe we can all do better. I think the first step is to stop saying there is such a fine line, and start reading the whole truth of the Word, not just the parts that makes it seem ok to do some of them. There are 2 lines - RIGHT and WRONG. NO FINE LINES!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Temptation
Temptation
I want to talk about a touchy subject for a lot of women. I want to step out there and say something that might be sensitive to a lot of women and men, but if I am going to do this I have to be real about it. First to the men... Have you ever noticed the way both women and young women dress? We can't even go the mall or out to eat with out being faced with the temptation of looking. We might be totally happy in our marriage, but when it is put in front of us, we have to look away. As soon as we do, there will be another women walking by the other direction and you just can't get away from it. I wonder what would happen if we as men dressed our daughters and asked our wives to cover themselves more. Do you think it might help the men stay more focused on what they are doing?
Women, I have talked to my wife about this and she says I have no idea how hard it is for a women to live in today's world where you feel like you are competing with brand names and fashion, whats in and what is not. I do know that I am proud of my wife and the way she dresses. I hope that everyone that reads this will take a look at themselves and see how they are dressed and ask yourself - am I causing a man to stumble today? Is my wife going to cause a man to stumble? Is my daughter dressed in a way that will cause young men to be tempted? I guess the main question would be - Is God pleased with the way you are dressed and what women and young girls are wearing? James 1: 14 "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 then when desires has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is birth gives way to death". I know this may sound like I am putting pressure on women and the way they dress and in a way I am, but women need to think about what they are wearing...especially to church. Women, I am not saying in anyway that it is all up to you or that men are not strong enough to resist, but it is hard enough with out any distractions.
For the Men. Where are you with Christ today? Are you tempted by women? Are you tempted by any other temptations this world has to offer? I know I am!!! I am being real when I say there are things in this world I fight off everyday, but I sit here today and say God is my strength and I seek Him for the rest we all need daily. Men we are called to be the head of our house and will be held accountable someday for what we do and what we do not do, meaning letting the women and daughters in our house go out dressed in a inappropriate manner. You might say what would that be? Well think about what catches your eye when a woman walks in front of you.
I want to talk about a touchy subject for a lot of women. I want to step out there and say something that might be sensitive to a lot of women and men, but if I am going to do this I have to be real about it. First to the men... Have you ever noticed the way both women and young women dress? We can't even go the mall or out to eat with out being faced with the temptation of looking. We might be totally happy in our marriage, but when it is put in front of us, we have to look away. As soon as we do, there will be another women walking by the other direction and you just can't get away from it. I wonder what would happen if we as men dressed our daughters and asked our wives to cover themselves more. Do you think it might help the men stay more focused on what they are doing?
Women, I have talked to my wife about this and she says I have no idea how hard it is for a women to live in today's world where you feel like you are competing with brand names and fashion, whats in and what is not. I do know that I am proud of my wife and the way she dresses. I hope that everyone that reads this will take a look at themselves and see how they are dressed and ask yourself - am I causing a man to stumble today? Is my wife going to cause a man to stumble? Is my daughter dressed in a way that will cause young men to be tempted? I guess the main question would be - Is God pleased with the way you are dressed and what women and young girls are wearing? James 1: 14 "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 then when desires has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is birth gives way to death". I know this may sound like I am putting pressure on women and the way they dress and in a way I am, but women need to think about what they are wearing...especially to church. Women, I am not saying in anyway that it is all up to you or that men are not strong enough to resist, but it is hard enough with out any distractions.
For the Men. Where are you with Christ today? Are you tempted by women? Are you tempted by any other temptations this world has to offer? I know I am!!! I am being real when I say there are things in this world I fight off everyday, but I sit here today and say God is my strength and I seek Him for the rest we all need daily. Men we are called to be the head of our house and will be held accountable someday for what we do and what we do not do, meaning letting the women and daughters in our house go out dressed in a inappropriate manner. You might say what would that be? Well think about what catches your eye when a woman walks in front of you.
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