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Archive for the 'Miscellaneous' Category

Aug 06 2009

Future Goals

Published by snowriter under Miscellaneous Edit This

If you have been following this blog for any time at all, you know that up until lately I have posted daily (with the rare exception of Sunday). So, let me begin by apologizing. If you are like me, you do not like to visit a site and find nothing has changed since your last visit. Let me also assure you, Lord willing, that is NOT the direction this blog is headed.

In brief, this time of year the ‘real world’ (in other words, where I make my living) demands MUCH of my time. So, while I am collecting loads of information for further blogs as I continue to read and study (as much as time allows, which is also challenging this time of year), I am finding it increasingly difficult to actually write anything.

As you may know, the real purpose behind this blog is to help me grow. Over time I have found there are several things which help me retain what I am striving to learn. Taking notes of an oral lecture. Using a journal to record thoughts as I read (recently I talked about a new system I have been trying which appears to be working well). Thinking about what I hear and read.

Working toward this last end spawned this blog. I find it helpful to write (the rhetoric part of learning) in my own words the truths I am learning. This need to write coupled with a desire to have something which would spur me on to writing faithfully is the real reason for my posts. If you have been blessed, give God the glory. That is totally a side benefit.

Nonetheless, it is my goal, Lord willing, to be back on track in another month. Work should slow down after Labor Day - and, it is my plan, at that time, to get back to posting a daily blog. So, please be patient with me - and I pray you will continue to be encouraged and blessed by what I do manage to get posted over the next four weeks.

God bless you!

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Apr 10 2009

Do I Love God?

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deut 6:5)

Have you ever thought about that? What does it mean to love God? Are there ways I can tell if I’m loving God? Is it really that important?

Loving God is our first and highest calling. It is the first commandment given - so obviously in God’s mind, it has the primary importance. And, if you think it through, it becomes clear: If we could but keep this one commandment, all the others would fall into place. Here are some questions (and reference passages) to help you (and me) determine the condition of our love for God.

1) Does my mind muse (think) upon God? God is the treasure. Where the treasure is, there is the heart. (Ps 139:18)

2) Do I desire communion with God? (Ps 84:2) Can I bear the lack of anything except for the presence of God? (Ps 143:7)

3) Do I grieve for my sins against Him? Do I shed tears of godly sorrow? Do my unkindnesses toward Him cause me grief? When I fail to use my abilities to His honor, does my heart ache? (Mt 26:75)

4) Am I magnanamous? Am I willing to fight against my own fears to stand for His name? (Acts 4:20)

5) Does my heart ache for the dishonor does to God by wicked men? (2 Peter 2:7)

6) Do I hate sin? (Hos 14:8). As a believer I should shun sin, only coming in contact with it when I am battling against it.

7) Am I dead to the pleasures and honors of this world? (Gal 6:14) If my heart is fixed on loving and serving God, the world’s offerings will dim in comparison (1 Jn 2:15)

8) Do I fear God? In the godly, love and fear kiss one another. In other words:

      -  Do I fear His displeasure? (Gen 39:9)

      -  Am I jealous for His honor and glory? (1 Sam 4:13)

      -  Am I more concerned with the loss of spiritual blessings or temporal ones?

9) Do I love what God loves? (Ps 119:72, 103; Is 58:13)

      -  Do I love His word?

      -  Do I love God’s day?

      -  Do I love God’s laws?

      -  Do I love God’s image shining forth in His children? In spite of a believers:

            -  personal failings

            -  lack of attraction (physical, emotional, material)

            -  differing views on non-essential truths

10) Do I entertain good thoughts of God? (1 Cor 13:5)

11) Am I obedient? (Jn 14:21)

      -  In difficult things? (mortifying sin, forgiving my enemies)

      -  In dangerous things? (when called to suffer for His name)

12) Do I try to make Him appear glorious to others?

13) Do I long for Christ’s appearing? (2 Tim 4:8) Remember, love desires union.

14) Am I willing to stoop to the meanest office? Love is a humble grace, willing to stoop and submit to anything in which it can be a service to Christ.

 As one commentator said, “He who loves God, as has a good opinion of God; though He afflicts sharply, the soul takes it well. . .My God see what a hard heart I have, therefore He drives in one wedge of afflication after another, to break my heart. He knows how full I am of bad humors, how sick of a pleurisy (pride), therefore He lets blood to save my life. This severe dispensation is either to mortify some corruption, or to exercise some grace. How good God is, that He will not let me alone in my sins, but smites my body to save my soul!”

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Feb 11 2009

Joy vs. Happiness

Published by snowriter under Miscellaneous Edit This

As we discussed earlier, Joy is a confindence built on a relationship. Happiness is a response to circumstances. While this clearly delineates the difference between happiness and joy, this definition by Pastor John MacArthur defines joy even further.

He said, “Joy is not related to circumstances. It is a gift from God to those who believe the gospel of Christ. Joy is thus being produced in them by the Holy Spirit because they receive and obey the word of God while experiencing trials and keeping their hope fixed on the glory which is to come.”

From this we see real joy is:

- Not a transcient and emotional feeling which lifts you up or drops you based on circumstances.

- An unwavering constant which does not require a ‘bed of roses’ experience

- A result of an eternal relationship with God

- Determined by one’s nearness to God

- Identified as peace, calm, tranquility, contentment, delight, and satisfaction from deep within.

- Does not negate that we can still be unhappy with our circumstances, however, real joy is not trumped by unhappiness.

Furthermore, trials cannot touch the joy of a true believer. In fact, they can be instruments to increase our joy because they cast the believer off of his circumstances and on to his God. The result is a deepening relationship which results in deeper joy. However, no one and nothing can produce this joy except the Holy Spirit.

We would be wise to ponder these words of our Lord which He spoke after instructing His followers on the principle of the vine and branches - the principle of our relationship and closeness to God. They are found in Jn 15: 9 - 11:

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

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Feb 10 2009

Dealing With Depression

Published by snowriter under Miscellaneous Edit This

I take depression seriously. I know it is real. I’ve been there. I’ve contemplated ending my life because I thought I couldn’t face what the future held. Thus, I understand depression is real.

While I understand depression’s reality, as a Christian my admission is accompanied by deep shame. Because, when a Christian experiences depression, it means they have lost sight of their God. In other words, depression is a response to wrong perspective. A real response. A wrong response.

It is important to realize the difference between ‘joy’ and ‘happiness’. As Pastor John MacArthur put it:

“Joy is confidence built upon relationship.”

“Happiness is a response to circumstances.”

Thus it is possible, in fact it is guaranteed fact Christians will not always be happy, but we should never lose our joy. However, the opposite of ‘joy’ is depression (we’ll look at this in more depth in future posts).

Today it is common for Christians and non-Christians alike to seek counseling and physical relief to overcome depression. While there are definitely physical issues which show up in a depressed person, I wonder if the physical state is not a result of the spiritual state and not vice-versa.

To further demonstrate this point, I want to share with you some quotes out of a book entitled, “The Way Up From Down”. In this book the author, a leading MD, spends a great deal of time expounding on the amino acids and vitamins - the blood deficiency of certain chemicals which cause a distorted function in neuro transmittters - and the vitamin and diet regimen to correct this imbalance.

But, in the last few chapters, the author completely mitigates the rest of the book and unknowning points to the ‘real’ cause of depression. This is what the author says, “However, if you continue habitual negative thought patterns you will severely undermine the whole treatment. . .persistent negative attitudes can lead to construction and bondage whereas consistent positive thoughts create expansion and freedom. Someone has said we suffer because we don’t see things the way they are but the way we are. . .We can only learn to see things differently by wanting to see things differently.”

Wow - there is more truth packed in that short section than in the rest of the book. In other words, this author is talking about ‘happiness’ - how to deal with ‘unhappiness’. A response to circumstances.

Joy is confidence built on relationship. That is the very reason, as Christians, we should not get seriously entangled with depression. I’m not saying Christians don’t feel down, don’t struggle with negative thoughts, don’t get ‘depressed’. I’m saying Christians have no reason for staying depressed.

We have a relationship with the God of heaven and earth. We are His children. He has taken care of our deepest need (deliverance from our sin). He is loving and caring for us every step of the way. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. In other words - we are cared for and loved and headed for eternity. What, then, can really separate us from Christ’s love? NOTHING!

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Feb 08 2009

What Steals Your Joy?

Published by snowriter under Miscellaneous Edit This

I just finished listening to a wonderful sermon series by Pastor John MacArthur. His text was Phillipians 1:3-8. Of course, if you know Phillipians at all, it comes as no surprise somewhere in the sermon joy was mentioned. In fact, this series was entitled, ‘The Essense of Joy’.

While I am sure I will share more snipets in the future - it was just too good not to share - I wanted to share with you his list of 14 things which steal our joy.

1 - False Salvation. Even if you are a member of a ‘church’, if you are struggling to find real ‘joy’ you may need to go back to the beginning. Maybe you are not really a Christian? It is very frustrating to try and find joy if you do not have the Holy Spirit. In fact, since joy is a fruit of the Spirit, it is impossible. (2 Cor 13:5)

2 - Satan and Demons. Satan is roaming around seeking to rob you of your joy (1 Pet 5:8). Don’t let him win the battle.

3 - Inadequate understanding of God’s sovereignty. Read Habbakuk. Here is a man who forgot God’s sovereignty. Yet, as he regained his perspective, toward the end of the book, his words and tone change completely. And, consider this, his situation had not changed one bit. We must not worry as if God is not in control or we will lose our joy (Rom 8:28)

4 - Prayerlessness. Where do you take your troubles? Do you seek human assistance and answers? Do you go to ’somebody’ who tells you ’something’? We need to commit our way unto the Lord. If you feel the need of help, go to the elders of your church and seek prayer (James). Remember Paul’s words in Phil 4:6.

5 - Lull after spiritual high. Elijah is the perfect example. After his conclusive victory on Mt Carmel we do not see him boldly proclaiming God’s power. We see him running for his life. We see him wanting to commit suicide. He is in major depression! Do not let a spiritual high leave you spinning into the depths. Remember the God of the mountain tops is also the God of the valleys.

6 - Circumstance orientations. This is the perspective problem. When we take all of our signals from the material world (relationships, possessions) we fall prey to materialism and loose our focus on God - on the eternal.

7 - Ingratitude. This comes from a failure to be thankful. We are not joyful because we are always focusing on what we ‘do not have’ instead of what we ‘do have’. We are never satisfied. This, my dear friends, is pride.

8 - Forgetfulness. This is a serious sin for we have forgetten the depths from which we have been delivered. We have forgetten God’s mercy and grace (Ps 103:2)

9 - Dissatisfaction with our earthly position. When we feel as though we have gotten ‘less than we deserve’, we become dissatisfied. Maybe we aren’t as good looking, aren’t as well off, aren’t as gifted, or aren’t as appreciated as we think we ought to be. Maybe we have physical or mental handicaps. Focusing on our ‘have nots’ instead of our ‘haves’ can steal our joy.

10 - Fear of failure. Some people wander through life imagining the worst possible scenario to every situation. They worry about what is going to happen. They are afraid of things that aren’t happening. Jesus warned us about this (Mt 6:25 - 34)

11 - Uncontrolled Feelings. If you are controlled by your feelings, you are a victim. Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones in his book, “Spiritual Depression” said, “I suggest that the main trouble in this whole matter of spiritual depression is this: That we allow our ’self’ to talk to us instead of talking to our ’self’. Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to your ’self’ rather than talking to your ’self’? . .The art of Spiritual living is knowing how to handle your ’self’. ” (The Psalmist talks to his ’self’ in Ps. 42 and 43)

12 - Morbid Self-Analysis. When we begin poking and scrambling through the pile of garbage from our past, looking for something to ‘blame’, we loose our joy. Remember Scripture’s admonitions - ‘Forgetting the things which are behind. . .’ ‘Looking not to your own needs but to the needs of others’. In other words - move ahead!

13 - Self-Centered. Some people never have real joy because they can never be satisfied.

14 - Unwillingness to accept foregiveness. Are you struggling with a sin from your past? Something you cannot let go of? Something which steals your joy? If so, you have (as Pastor MacArthur put it) a massive ego problem. A God-complex. You have set yourself above God and decided to hang onto something He has forgiven (and forgotten) long ago. Let go!

I hope you found this list as insightful and helpful as I did. Joy is something we all struggle with - either from time to time or as an ongoing battle. However, life without joy is life not worth living (that is why depression is the opposite of joy). Don’t let the world, life, or Satan steal your joy!

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Feb 02 2009

Has God Forgotten You?

Published by snowriter under Miscellaneous Edit This

“Lord, it belongs not to my care

Whether I die or live;

To love and serve Thee is my share,

And this Thy grace to give.

“If life be long, I will be glad,

That I may long obey;

If short, yet why should I be sad

To welcome endless day?

Christ leads me through no darker rooms

Than He went through before;

He that into God’s Kingdom comes

Must enter by this door.

Come, Lord, when grace hath made me meet

Thy blessed face to see;

For, if Thy work on earth be sweet,

What will Thy glory be?

My Knowledge of that life is small,

The eye of faith is dim;

But ’tis enough that Christ knows all,

And I shall be with Him.”

Penned by Richard Baxter when, at 70 years of age and suffering with tuberculosis, he was imprisoned, persecuted, and forbidden to preach.

No matter how bad it seems, we have life easy. In fact, because it is so easy, we cringe at the little trials which come our way and pray for protection from even the slightest bumps in our road. Richard Baxter puts most of us to shame.

Regardless of the trials God may bring our way, nothing is the result of His forgetting us.  “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. And the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.” (Mal 3:16) “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?” (Ps 56:8)

Both of these passages were written to give us confidence. God not only sees, He remembers. Nothing we experience, no trial we face, no bad deed we endure is overlooked.

While the all-knowing character of God can be unnerving to the sinner, the Christian should draw comfort and direction from this knowledge.

Direction because God sees all. Nothing can hide from His gaze (Ps 139:4, 12). No sin will go unpunished (Ps 37:7-11; Ecc 12:14; Jer 17:10).

If God knows all, even the most secret thoughts of my heart which I barely acknowledge, this should prompt and encourage me to more godly living. Since God has promised no sin will go unpunished (Ps 37:7-11), knowing He sees all should strengthen me in my fight against sin.

Comfort - As we looked at above, knowing God has not forgotten me nor left me to face my troubles alone should provide me with great comfort. Furthermore, knowing that in spite of my sin and failure to walk the path I know I ought to take; in spite of God’s knowledge of my sin and non-conformity to His law - God has chose to love me (Rom 5:8). While I may overlook or downplay my sins, God does not (1 Sam 16:7). Thank God, He loves me anyway!

Next time God sends you down a path you do NOT want to travel, remember He has not forgotten you. Next time a trial seems dark and scary, remember He is there beside you (Ps 23:4).

May we, like Richard Baxter, focus on the eternal, the things which matter so much more than our personal comfort, health, or safety. May this knowledge give us boldness when faced with decisions where we must choose between our comfort or safety and doing what is right - what matters for eternity!

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Jan 27 2009

The “Evolution” Question

“Gee, Mom, you’re so archaic! Believing in creation is so, so. . .old-fashioned!”

Christian parents around the globe are facing similar responses from their Junior High and High School (and, sometimes, even gradeschool) children. The theory of evolution has become so entrenched in our society and in our thinking, some churches have even adapted their ’teaching’ to provide room for it.

Contrary to what your neighbor, or your children’s teacher, or the guy at work may say, evolution is NOT a scientific fact. It has not and can not be proven.

Of course, in a culture heavily swayed by public opinion, we often assume something so readily accepted, embraced even, must be true - at least to a point. However, therein lies our fault.

Our first error is to define truth based upon culture. Our second error is to NOT define truth based on God’s word.  Our third error is to believe what we hear without bringing every thought captive to God’s Word.

If evolution is not a proven fact, why is it so prevelant in our thinking? In our society? In our children’s classrooms? Simply because, evolution is a religious philosophy.

People readily accept evolution because it offers them a “reality which does not include a Sovereign Creator Who can and does hold them accountable. Scripture proves this. (Rom 1:20-21)

“It was because Darwinian theory broke man’s link with God and set him adrift in a cosmos without purpose or end that its impact was so fundamental. No other intellectual revolution in modern times . . so profoundly affects the way men viewed themselves and their place in the universe.”—*Michael Denton [Australian molecular biologist], Evolution: A Theory in Crisis (1985), p. 67 

Thus, Christians today need to be prepared to defend the Gospel.  This is especially important if your children attend public school or even some private schools. They are being inundated with evolution - no longer taught as a ‘theory’ but as ‘fact’. What are you going to say when your child holds up evolution as ‘truth’, as ‘fact’, as ‘real’?

Here are four foundation errors in evolution that be explained even to younger children:

1) The Problem of the Protein Molecule - To get a perspective, it takes 1,000’s of protein molecules to form 1 cell. A protein molecule is incredibly small, and for one protein molecule to be formed, 20 amino acids must come together. The scientific probability of such a thing happening by accident or chance is ZERO.

“. . We know virtually nothing about the genetic changes that occur in species formation.”—*R. Lewontin, The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change (1974), p. 159.

2) The Problem of the Black Box. Even Darwin, in his book, “Origin of the Species” said that if even one complex organ existed which could not be formed by numerous slight modifications over a very long period of time, his theory did not work.

Consider the most foundation organ of all - a living cell. A single living cell is a mass of systems, each of which had to be in place and functioning for any part of it to work.

Compare this to a mouse trap. You cannot catch a mouse with a little piece of wood. You cannot catch a mouse with a spring. You cannot catch a mouse with a piece of metal. You cannot catch a mouse with a hinge. ALL pieces of the mouse trap must be formed and in place for the mouse trap to work. In other words - a single cell in your body could not have evolved over time because no one part of the cell could have functioned (and thus survived to evolve) alone.

 ”These assumptions by their nature are not capable of experimental verification . . It is therefore a matter of faith on the part of the biologist that biogenesis (spontaneous generation) did occur, and he can choose whatever method of biogenesis happens to suit him personally . . From our limited experience it is clear that the biochemical systems within protoplasm are not uniform, i.e. there is no established biochemical unity.”—*G. Kerkut, Implications of Evolution (1960).

3) The Problem of Design. If you are walking down the road and you pick up a rock chip, it is possible to speculate it may have ‘evolved’ over time. However, if you pick up an intricately designed pocket watch, only a fool would think it somehow evolved over a long period of time.

Consider one of your DNA molecules. The DNA present at your conception contained 500,000 pages of information. However that original cell divided into 30 trillion cells with at least 12 billion brain cells. How many pages would that be?

” . . The distinctions of specific forms and their not being blended together by innumerable transitional links is a very obvious difficulty.”—*Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species, (6th ed., 1927), p. 322.

4) The Problem of the Fossil Record. Regardless of what you may have heard, the fossil record shows no evidence of macro (many-small changes over time) evolution. Consider that in face of the hundreds of thousands of changes which would have had to occur for us to have our world as we know it.

It think the most honest and yet most damning statement was made by H.J. Lipson, an agnostic evolutionist. He said, “I think however that we must go further than this and admit that the only acceptable explanation is Creation. I know that this is anathema to physicists, as indeed it is to me, but we must not reject a theory that we do not like if the experimental evidence supports it.”

Next time you are faced with someone who holds evolution to be a proven fact, ask them to explain these points. You might be surprised at their answers (or lack of answers).

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Jan 25 2009

Who Is In Control?

Published by snowriter under Miscellaneous Edit This

Not long ago I posted a six-part series entitled, “Does The World Hate Christians?” As I stated in this series, there is a growing, vocal element in America which, without a doubt, hates Christians.

This is no surprise. Jesus said it would be so. While Christians should not wander around looking for a boogy-man behind every bush, we should not be surprised to find an element of animosity, particularly in politics and the main stream media.

On January 20th, President Obama took the reins of America’s leadership. It seems there are at least three basic responses among Christians.

One - rejoicing. These Christians believe President Obama will bring positive change to our country thus they are rejoicing.

Two - ambivelence. These Christians do not get involved with politics thus they really do not care who is President or for what they stand.

Three - anger. These Christians do get involved in politics, they do care who is President, and they feel betrayed and angry that such a liberal man is now the leader of our country.

Who is right? Who has the proper response? I would suggest none. The first person who is rejoicing, in my opinion, has separated their beliefs from their politics.

The second person is living with their head in the clouds. It is impossible to live in the world and not be aware, at least to a point, of what is occuring around you. Besides, we are told to pray for our leaders. Thus, even if you do want anything to do with politics, you still are commanded to be aware, to be concerned, and to pray.

The third person is responding completely unbiblically. While they might not like President Obama’s liberal position, he is now their governmental ruler. Thus, at the very least, they are to submit to those in authority and to pray for them.

Regardless of your political position. Regardless of whether you perceive President Obama as a purveyor of change or a producer of distruction. Regardless of how you view his liberal ideology. All Christians must realize, “The king’s (or president’s) heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases.” (Prov 21:1)

In other words, President Obama is not operating outside of God’s sovereign plan. God was not surprised when he was elected. God is not frustrated with America’s choice. God is not worried about how this will turn out.

Thus, as Christians, we must pray. Regardless of our view of our new President, we must pray God will work in and through him. While, personally, I believe America is getting her just deserts for having turned her back on God, I also believe God is merciful and gracious. So, people, pray!

We can trust God to work in our country’s leaders hearts. God can cause even ungodly people to show us favor (remember the Egyptians and the Israelites - Ex 3:21-22 & 12:35-36)? God can also protect us from the evil intents of ungodly men (Gen 20:6, 35:5 - compare to 34:30 - see also Ex 34:23-24).

Thus while we do not deserve God’s mercy and favor, in face of our current political climate, we, as Christians, would be wise to pray, to repent, and to return to our God. He is in control. He is merciful. We can trust Him!

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Jan 23 2009

The Real Blind Leading The Supposed Sighted?

Published by snowriter under Miscellaneous Edit This

Fanny Crosby was a prolific songwriter. In fact, she penned over 8,000 hymns! Not bad for a woman who lost her sight at 6 weeks old. After even a brief perusal of her hymns, one must admit she may have been physically sightless but spiritually, she had 20/20 vision!

So often we fuss and fume and struggle against the situations God brings into our lives. We do not like the way things turn out. We want something other than what we have been given. We do no enjoy the way this experience or that makes us feel.

How many Christians do you know who can quote Psalm 23? How many have thought deeply about its implications? In other words, if God is our Shepherd and does what Psalm 23 says He is doing, what does this mean?

Quite simply it means God, as our caregiver and protector has committed Himself to leading and guiding us through whatever He puts in our path. In other words, He guides us down the path He has created for us to walk.

Fanny Crosby was asked if she wouldn’t like to have her sight back. She replied,  “If per­fect earth­ly sight were of­fered me to­mor­row I would not ac­­cept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been dis­tract­ed by the beau­ti­ful and in­ter­est­ing things about me.” 

Wow, I do not think I would have responded in kind. Maybe my ’sight’ has interferred with my trust. On the other hand, this does not mean we are brainless beings, committed to accept whatever comes our way - in other words thoughtless, emotionless automans who do not respond because we have been programmed to accept ‘whatever’.

J.I. Packer made a wise observation on this point. He said, “God made us thinking beings, and He guides our minds as we think things out in His presence.” In other words, while the world may accuse Christians of tossing out their minds when they chose to exercise faith in God - this is truly not the case.   However, we might benefit from throwing away some of our ’sight’. In other words, exercising our faith a bit more.

Back to our blind songwriter. Fanny Crosby learned through more than just her physical blindness. She, too, had to walk the road of faith in many areas of her life. In fact, one hymn she penned which so aptly deals with exercising our faith in face of unexplained challenges is, “All the way my Savior leads me”.

This hymn was penned after Fanny, who was desperately in need of some money, had her prayer answered. A gentleman came to her and gave her five dollars - the exact amount she needed. Her response, “I have no way of accounting for this except to believe that God put it into the heart of this good man to bring the money.” Then she penned her now-famous hymn.

All the way my Savior leads me-

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my guide?

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well;

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Jan 22 2009

Emotional Rollercoaster

Published by snowriter under Miscellaneous Edit This

Do you ever feel like your life is on an emotional rollercoaster? I’m not talking about the deep lows experienced when you are struggling to regain your perspective during and even after a trial. I’m not talking about the extreme highs experienced as you enjoy one of life’s pinacle points such as your wedding or the birth of your children. I’m talking about the day to day stuff which can either leave us dull or dancing from happy to sad to happy again.

Many women blame these cycles on their hormones. While there is certainly truth to the claim, other issues are often also involved. In fact, I would dare say there are times when hormones have nothing to do with it.

This emotional rollercoaster is usually closely associated with living an emotionally triggered life. What I mean is, we are living life based on how we feel. Something strikes us as positive, we are happy. Something strikes us as negative, we are sad.

While I am by no means advocating stoisim, if our response to life is directly wired to our emotions - well, what do you think will happen?

I would suggest we will spend our lives not really experiencing anything. That may sound a bit off - after all, don’t we experience things with our emotions? Sure, but if we are ‘down’, we will miss the good. If we are ‘up’, we will miss the good.

How can that be? Most of the time when we are riding the emotional roller coaster, we are in tune with our feelings, not with reality. Once again, we have lost our perspective. Thus when we feel bad about something - maybe something happened which spoiled our plans and left us blue - we miss the good - the character growth to be gained from this minor upset. When we are up about something really great - we miss the good - the little things like the chance to share in another’s grief.

Maybe this is part of what Paul is saying when he says he presses on to the goal.  (Phil 3:14) He recognizes this isn’t the end. He hasn’t attained that yet. The struggle continues. It is a real struggle. A struggle which requires both our minds and our emotions focused on our purpose. Peter further entreates us,

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. . .Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. . .” (1 Peter 1:3-4, 13)

May we not let the winds of emotion - the highs and lows which are tied to our current interpretation of our situation - direct our paths. Let us ‘gird up our minds’ - literally prepare our understanding and feeling - so that we might be sober - temperate, calm and collected - with our hope resting in Jesus Christ and the work He is doing in and through us.

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