Psalm 131

Excerpt from "Encouragement for Today" - November 14, 2008

Psalm 131 "Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved myself, as a child tha tis weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever."

Determining the right time to wean depends on the child and the parent but when the time comes, weaning involves withholding from the child what he wants, but no longer needs. God often withholds things we want but do not need, in order to change our appetites. This is not meant to inflict anxiety or pain, but to mature us and prepare us for the next level in our walk with Him. Too often we want life to be easy and comfortable. We don't want to grow up and face responsibilities. But that would lead to stunted development. We forget that growth and maturity are almost always forged through some type of hard work or difficultly.



Other times, however, we do want to grow up -- WAY UP -- and we get in a hurry to do so. We're like the toddler who assumes she is can do everything herself. Psalm 131 speaks to this tendency in us as well. David says in the first verse that he keeps his soul from being too proud or overly ambitious. Basically, David is saying he has to make sure he doesn't get too big for the britches God has given him!

I'm Glad I'm Saved, Too.

Previously posted on Facebook.

Last Sunday night our Pastor stood before our congregation and said the most powerful and moving words to summarize the end of this presidential campaign. I paraphrase, "After its all said and done we [the saints] have still got to be unified and continue to fight together the devil that is threatening our very souls.The way you vote does not determine your salvation. Neither of the candidates are saved." He didn't say these words before an audience of all black or all white. All poor or all rich. Not even all Democrats or all Republicans. He said it to the church.

The past few months have shown me sides of people that I never thought possible. (Some of whom I've loved and adopted as my own family.) I've ignored many of the comments, emails, posts, etc. I would love to erase many of the words and actions that I've experienced to keep my heart clear. But, we can't. However, I must strive to remember that we are brothers and sisters. Just like you can't take my salvation, I can't take yours. I can't judge your spiritual walk, nor you mine.

We do serve a loving God who commands that we love, respect, prefer, honour, submit, and forgive one another. Maybe our world views are highly different. Our backgrounds not the same. Maybe you don't understand my thoughts or what drives my actions. But, there is a way we can agree to disagree in the spirit of holiness. That's something we can never lose. There is a way that we can agree to disagree without condemning our brother's or sister's intellect. That's something we can never lose. I want to challenge everyone on both sides to think about our words, our actions, our status messages, and see if it's promoting the peace of God. If I have said anything to cause conflict, I apologize. Do I have the right to vote, post, and think the way I want. Yes. Does God hold me accountable? Yes. Do I want to make heaven my home? Yes. Then rest assured all of my actions will be in looking to God the author and finisher of my faith. But, if my hidden motives are to wound or cast negative judgement. If my hidden motives are to question another's walk, may I stand in fear of the wrath of God.

We cannot insinuate that the way one voted determines their salvation. We'd make ourselves God. I do not wish to go into a political argument. This note is only to express the deep hurt and shock at the words that have been said to me and others. I do not say this alone. "I pray for you. You pray for me. We're all apart of God's body." If you don't believe that, maybe it's time for some real truths to be made.

God Bless The Church of God.

We Have and always will be the United States of America

i was there.

CNN: "Obama: This is Our Moment"

You Can Vote However YOU Like...!!!!

As election day draws near, you can vote however YOU like! No need to criticize each other, take one another's salvation, or claim that anyone's actions are guided by race. You can vote however YOU like. The beauty of living in America. Stop the madness. Let's treat each other with kindness and the utmost respect. Luv!!!!