Two things from what I read this morning...
the 1st one is this verse:
Proverbs 20:24 How can we understand the road we travel? It is the Lord who directs out steps.
And the direction He's directing me - Blairsville - came out of nowhere! We're heading that direction; how it's all gonna shake out is known only by Him! ;-)
here's the other one...
1 Corinthians 10:13 remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will show you a way so that you will not give in to it.
If this is true, then none of us has any excuse, do we?!
Think about that...
God's not gonna let me be tempted any stronger than I'm able to handle.
I ain't got no excuses now!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
true safety
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong fortress;
the godly run to Him and are safe.
the godly run to Him and are safe.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
sex
1 Corinthians 6:9 Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
12 You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is good for you. And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything. 13 You say, "Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food." (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can't say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. 14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.
15 Don't you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! 16 And don't you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, "The two are united into one." 17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
One of the most disturbing things I run into particularly in the last couple of years is how many 20something dating couples, who consider themselves Christ followers of some serious commitment, are having sex.
And I'm not talking about just Bill Clinton's definition of sex (that was that only intercourse (coitus) qualified as sex - and we saw how that definition worked out for him!).
I thought that was off the list of things unmarried people could do?
I get the many of the same reasons non-believers tell me...
"Well, we're in love,"
"Well, we're gonna get married."
I don't think so.
I see so many couples affected so negatively in their lives, their emotions, their relationship with the other person, & most importantly, it harms their relationship & intimacy with God.
Don't do it, y'all. I've lived to long, seen too many lives harmed & altered by couples who have sex before they get married.
I remember one person who took months to get over breaking off a relationship. He asked me one day why it was killing him. I shared with him a number of reasons that breaking up is hard on people.
To cover all the bases, I mentioned that when people have sex, especially if they have intercourse, & the break off their relationship, it is devastating because of the DEEP bond that is created by especially having intercourse.
I didn't believe this person was sexually active in this relationship.
He said, "well, that explains it."
And yes, it took him a long time to put that relationship behind him.
Let me just say this folks...
Take it from this old guy - don't have sex before marriage. It ain't worth it.
I could quote all the studies about the negative impact that it has. That won't make any difference.
Most people don't think those studies apply to them. All the dire things that happen in people's lives, emotions, & relationships won't happen to them.
It seems that so many 20somethings feel as the great theologian, Travis Tritt once wrote - that they are "ten feet tall, & bulletproof."
Whether we're 20something, or 60something, or anysomething, the laws of sowing & reaping are the same.
With all the love in my heart, let me say this...
If you're unmarried & having sex with your partner, stop.
If you're thinking about starting to have sex with your partner, don't.
19 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
12 You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is good for you. And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything. 13 You say, "Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food." (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can't say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. 14 And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.
15 Don't you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! 16 And don't you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, "The two are united into one." 17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
One of the most disturbing things I run into particularly in the last couple of years is how many 20something dating couples, who consider themselves Christ followers of some serious commitment, are having sex.
And I'm not talking about just Bill Clinton's definition of sex (that was that only intercourse (coitus) qualified as sex - and we saw how that definition worked out for him!).
I thought that was off the list of things unmarried people could do?
I get the many of the same reasons non-believers tell me...
"Well, we're in love,"
"Well, we're gonna get married."
I don't think so.
I see so many couples affected so negatively in their lives, their emotions, their relationship with the other person, & most importantly, it harms their relationship & intimacy with God.
Don't do it, y'all. I've lived to long, seen too many lives harmed & altered by couples who have sex before they get married.
I remember one person who took months to get over breaking off a relationship. He asked me one day why it was killing him. I shared with him a number of reasons that breaking up is hard on people.
To cover all the bases, I mentioned that when people have sex, especially if they have intercourse, & the break off their relationship, it is devastating because of the DEEP bond that is created by especially having intercourse.
I didn't believe this person was sexually active in this relationship.
He said, "well, that explains it."
And yes, it took him a long time to put that relationship behind him.
Let me just say this folks...
Take it from this old guy - don't have sex before marriage. It ain't worth it.
I could quote all the studies about the negative impact that it has. That won't make any difference.
Most people don't think those studies apply to them. All the dire things that happen in people's lives, emotions, & relationships won't happen to them.
It seems that so many 20somethings feel as the great theologian, Travis Tritt once wrote - that they are "ten feet tall, & bulletproof."
Whether we're 20something, or 60something, or anysomething, the laws of sowing & reaping are the same.
With all the love in my heart, let me say this...
If you're unmarried & having sex with your partner, stop.
If you're thinking about starting to have sex with your partner, don't.
19 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
words to live by
Proverbs 16 has some really good stuff about life...
vs 1 We gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer.
vs 2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines the motives.
vs 3 Commit your work to the Lord, & then your plans will succeed.
vs 8 It is better to be poor & godly than rich & dishonest.
vs 9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
vs 18 Pride does before destruction, & haughtiness before the fall.
vs 19 It's better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
vs 20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be happy.
vs 31 Gray hair is the crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. (dan note: This one made me laugh!)
vs 32 It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self control than to conquer a city.
vs 33 We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
SO many of these speak to where I am as we walk toward living & ministering in Blairsville.
vs 1 We gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer.
vs 2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines the motives.
vs 3 Commit your work to the Lord, & then your plans will succeed.
vs 8 It is better to be poor & godly than rich & dishonest.
vs 9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
vs 18 Pride does before destruction, & haughtiness before the fall.
vs 19 It's better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
vs 20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be happy.
vs 31 Gray hair is the crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. (dan note: This one made me laugh!)
vs 32 It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self control than to conquer a city.
vs 33 We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
SO many of these speak to where I am as we walk toward living & ministering in Blairsville.
Monday, August 2, 2010
counsel
Proverbs 15:22 Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.
The rub here is trying to figure out how much advice is enough - when is enough enough?
Each of us is plunging headlong into life - hopefully the life God dreamed for us.
It's not safe, or prudent, to make ourselves an island, not seeking good counsel - the hard part is finding good counsel - people who have good sense, but don't try to overwhelm us with their ideas.
I find that people are always willing to tell you what they think.
But that isn't always wise counsel.
I've found as I've walked toward whatever it is He has for us in Blairsville that I have to be prudent with whom I give a hearing. I've got plenty of people in my life who are more than willing to tell me what they think I should be or do. Very few of them know what their talking about.
How do I pick & choose amongst the opinions?
Obviously, this person has to be a pretty mature Christ follower, as well as a person whose life shows a consistency & maturity in general.
Usually if someone is somewhat hesitant to offer an opinion, that's a good sign.
If they have a take it or leave it attitude about what they say, rather than an attitude that implies that they think they're speaking for God.
If someone is proactive - iow, if they exhibit an interest that isn't prompted by me usually means they're thinking about it in a constructive way.
Receiving advice & counsel is a dicey thing - I try to take everything with a grain of salt, & test it out with what I think God's saying to me about the whole thing.
One thing's for sure - if I'd listened to a lot of the opinions I've gotten, we wouldn't be going to Blairsville! ;-)
Btw, the house is being inspected this week. One more step in the process. Woot!
The rub here is trying to figure out how much advice is enough - when is enough enough?
Each of us is plunging headlong into life - hopefully the life God dreamed for us.
It's not safe, or prudent, to make ourselves an island, not seeking good counsel - the hard part is finding good counsel - people who have good sense, but don't try to overwhelm us with their ideas.
I find that people are always willing to tell you what they think.
But that isn't always wise counsel.
I've found as I've walked toward whatever it is He has for us in Blairsville that I have to be prudent with whom I give a hearing. I've got plenty of people in my life who are more than willing to tell me what they think I should be or do. Very few of them know what their talking about.
How do I pick & choose amongst the opinions?
Obviously, this person has to be a pretty mature Christ follower, as well as a person whose life shows a consistency & maturity in general.
Usually if someone is somewhat hesitant to offer an opinion, that's a good sign.
If they have a take it or leave it attitude about what they say, rather than an attitude that implies that they think they're speaking for God.
If someone is proactive - iow, if they exhibit an interest that isn't prompted by me usually means they're thinking about it in a constructive way.
Receiving advice & counsel is a dicey thing - I try to take everything with a grain of salt, & test it out with what I think God's saying to me about the whole thing.
One thing's for sure - if I'd listened to a lot of the opinions I've gotten, we wouldn't be going to Blairsville! ;-)
Btw, the house is being inspected this week. One more step in the process. Woot!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
power
Romans 4:20 For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God's power.
"living by God's power"
I wonder how many of us REALLY do this?
Or do we live by "God helps those who help themselves"?
(btw, that's NOT in the Bible ;-)
How many times do we, do I, take direction & guidance from God & then try to do that direction & guidance under our own steam, in our own strength?
Yeah, I do that. Maybe you too?
As Lynn & I continue to walk toward living & ministering in Blairsville, one of the greatest dangers is to try to do this in our own strength & cleverness.
Mis - take!
If this is God's idea, then it would follow that He's the One who gonna furnish the preparations for our coming - like leading us to a house, finding us jobs, & preparing the hearts of those we are presently & will come in contact with.
And if this "next" is all a part of God's crazy, funny, challenging, heartbreaking, wonderful plan that He dreamed for us a gajillion years ago, then He's the One responsible for giving us the strength we need, the wisdom from which to draw, & the protection we gotta have.
If His power doesn't show up, then I think that would be a clear indicator that we'd made a significant miscalculation along the way! ;-)
The whole idea about Blairsville seems so fantastical to me. I couldn't have dreamed this up. I'm not that clever, or that... gutsy.
One other thing...
If God seems to be calling you to something, just pray, "God, if this isn't Your perfect will, don't let it happen" & then start walking toward it. If it doesn't happen, well, then you'll know it wasn't His will.
But if it does happen, well, guess what?
"living by God's power"
I wonder how many of us REALLY do this?
Or do we live by "God helps those who help themselves"?
(btw, that's NOT in the Bible ;-)
How many times do we, do I, take direction & guidance from God & then try to do that direction & guidance under our own steam, in our own strength?
Yeah, I do that. Maybe you too?
As Lynn & I continue to walk toward living & ministering in Blairsville, one of the greatest dangers is to try to do this in our own strength & cleverness.
Mis - take!
If this is God's idea, then it would follow that He's the One who gonna furnish the preparations for our coming - like leading us to a house, finding us jobs, & preparing the hearts of those we are presently & will come in contact with.
And if this "next" is all a part of God's crazy, funny, challenging, heartbreaking, wonderful plan that He dreamed for us a gajillion years ago, then He's the One responsible for giving us the strength we need, the wisdom from which to draw, & the protection we gotta have.
If His power doesn't show up, then I think that would be a clear indicator that we'd made a significant miscalculation along the way! ;-)
The whole idea about Blairsville seems so fantastical to me. I couldn't have dreamed this up. I'm not that clever, or that... gutsy.
One other thing...
If God seems to be calling you to something, just pray, "God, if this isn't Your perfect will, don't let it happen" & then start walking toward it. If it doesn't happen, well, then you'll know it wasn't His will.
But if it does happen, well, guess what?
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