Art of

You can fill in the blank with many words but for this message I complete the sentence with “Reconciliation”.  There has been many battles leading to all out war without reconciliation. It is tough when we have our own thoughts that we want to get off our tongues. Out of the abundance of the heart the tongue speaks. What does that mean? Well, it could mean that we have put good ideas and positive consideration into our hearts so that when we speak, we are heard with understanding. Or, it could mean that we have put garbage ideas and negative thoughts into our hearts so that what we speak is thrown out by others so that there is no compromise. I believe the art of reconciliation is listening before speaking then taking the time to allow your positive response to overcome your spontaneous outburst. As I listen to the candidates from both sides of the presidential race, I have a hard time seeing signs of reconciliation. We are all humans and therefore full of faults (sin). Why not accept our weakness and look to a higher strength to help us learn reconciliation. According to 2 Corinthians 5:18, we are given the “ministry of  reconciliation”.  Remember the story of the lost son in Luke 15? The father accepted him back in-spite of his rebellion even at the expense of hurting his other son who never strayed from home. The wayward son was lost and now is alive. What if the father had written him off as useless trash? Let us all practice the art of reconciliation and pray for peace. (Hear my message below.)

T

A Second Chance

Endurance over temptation. A second chance. “He won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your abilities. Instead, with the temptation, God will also supply a way out so that you will be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) Isn’t it great to know that we can find a way out? When we get way over our head with materialistic things that do not really improve our stature in life, we can choose to fight alone or we can ask for help. It is our choice but we can have a second chance as He will supply the way out if we will only take Him up on the offer. Listen to my brief message below.

T

What are you?

In an earlier blog, I asked a series of questions about what direction are you going? (Down, sideways or Up) This was according to my preacher’s perspective. Now, from a teacher’s perspective, consider what role do you play in the game of life. I have seen students that seem to simply show up to class and expect to learn. How they learn is a mystery to me as they take zero notes and some appear to not even listen. In fact, many tend to communicate with their neighbors so much as they disrupt those who are attempting to learn. These students I suppose use a phenomenon to learn called osmosis which is a “spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration, in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides”. Say what! My guess is that their brains are being equalized but to what? Now, their are other students who appear to absorb knowledge by taking notes, asking questions and successfully completely assignments. Still, their are a few students who rebel any notion of the whole learning experience. Am I being too critical? Perhaps, but I truly believe the game of life has three very distinctive groups. They are “Spectators”, “Blockers” and “Enablers” according to my perspective. Corporations are full of all three groups and so are Institutions. I believe the verdict is still out if our Government has the “Enablers” group but you can be the judge of that. I much prefer the “Enabler” group as in my opinion that is where success is achieved by helping another achieve their goals. I know we need all three groups in the game of life but thank goodness we have those that consider their achievements one successful student at a time. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”

T

Who is?

What is our direction? Is it a downward spiral, side way going nowhere or upward bound? What does that mean? Well, use your imagination. Do we use our mind or our body? Do we worship our stomach or are we made of more substance? Questions that should make us think. Where are we headed? What is our direction? Is it downward to destruction or upward to victory? Think about it and listen to my brief message below.

Freedom Where

There is freedom where? Have you ever asked yourself what is a true meaning for freedom? I suppose it all depends on your perspective. If you live in a 3rd world country, freedom may be very different than most of my readers who live in a country where we enjoy the finer things in life. If you break it down, what does freedom mean to you and where can you find it? Freedom is certainly not free. There is a price to be paid but look at the alternatives. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says “where the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom.” Okay, I may have lost a few readers at this point as you may be thinking he is at it again but please do not close your mind to the endless possibilities when you live in the Spirit and the Spirit lives in you. Listen to my brief message for more about true freedom.