The sacred Garbage Man

If a picture paints a thousand words, then this one is a whole tome in itself~~

W. Eugene Smith WORLD WAR II. // The Pacific Campaign. June 1944

What’s OUR history? Great convicting and encouraging thoughts here from Dawn at Inspiration With an Attitude. Comments close here; blessings and enjoy.

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This photo from World War 2 is iconic and, in my mind, is one of the most important comments on war in general.  The picture, by W. Eugene Smith, is of an American Marine finding a desperate infant still astonishingly breathing among the dead in Saipan. They passed the baby from soldier to soldier until the child arrived at the top of the hill.  I wish I could find out whatever happened to the child, but have not been able to do so as yet.  Perhaps the child’s history is now lost to us.

It reminds me of how God graphically records His “finding” of the Hebrew nation:……read the rest of the post here:The sacred Garbage Man

WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE GOD? WHO ARE WE TO MAKE EXCUSES FOR GOD?

Hendrick ter Brugghen, Esau Selling His Birthright, c. 1627. (from here)

It seems sometimes Christians spend a lot of time trying to excuse God or soft-pedal the idea of His absolute sovereignty and full right to deal with us as He wishes. Great thoughts here from Citizen Tom. Comments close here; blessings and enjoy.

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From our perspective God does some things that appear to be awful. When we read the Bible we see what looks like genocide and murder. Either God orders the killing, or He does it Himself. Here are some examples.

• The Great Flood.
• The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
• The Ten Plagues of Egypt.
• Ordering the Hebrews to annihilate the Canaanites.
• Delivering up the sons of Saul to be hung by the Gibeonites.

The Book of Revelation tells of more awful things to come. Then, of course, there is that great, mysterious evil we call Hell. How is it that God does or even allows such things?

The last example from above, the Gibeonite Revenge, is told cryptically. In greater scheme of things, the story seems to be a small thing. Yet it is the the Bible, and it is so puzzling.

In the midst of famine King David grew desperate and sought the cause from God. God told him the following:…..read the rest of the post here: WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE GOD? WHO ARE WE TO MAKE EXCUSES FOR GOD?

Dark Places…

 

This is a great post I read weeks ago by Lilka at B is for Blessed. It’s something to keep around for those times when things seem dark and hopeless. Comments closed here; blessings and enjoy.

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Easter weekend found me giving more than a bit of thought to “Silent Saturday.” Other than egg hunts as a kid, little attention was given to the Saturday before Easter. Yet, these many years later, I suspect there are more “Silent Saturdays” in our lives than repentant Fridays or Sunday resurrections.

Perhaps, when things look worst, as they did after the crucifixion, is when God is doing the most. Our silent times tend to linger far longer than one day, and in some instances, years. Still, that does not mean our personal transformation is delayed……..read the rest of the post here: Dark Places…

Barriers to Church Growth. #5 (Honoring Self)

This post is part of a great series entitled Barriers to Church Growth from Anthony Baker over at the Recovering Legalist. I suggest checking it out; it’s great. Comments closed here; blessings and enjoy. 

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A very revealing study was done, leading to a book detailing how 300 churches went from declining or dying, to growing. In Comeback Churches, written by Ed Stetzer and Mike Dodson, there is a list of 30 different barriers to church growth. Having received permission from the publisher (B&H Publishing Group), I would like to discuss a few of them.

“People do works for their own honor and not the glory of God (Matthew 5:16).”

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Why do we do good works? Why do we feed the poor, shelter the homeless, tend to the elderly, etc? Do we do these things so that our Father will be glorified, or do we do them in order to get glory for ourselves?.….read the rest of the post here: Barriers to Church Growth. #5 (Honoring Self)

Lay it aside…

Pat over at Beholding Him Ministries makes a great point in emphasizing our “laying aside,” of things that stop our growth as a verb. They require action! Like most of our Christian walk, this is not a passive activity. Comments closed here; blessings and enjoy. 

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SSSssssoooo you are interested in growing in Christ…the Lord tells us how…note the verbs which means we have to take action: lay aside and desire.
Let’s begin with desire: to long for, to ask for, strongly want with earnestness.
Peter connects our spiritual growth to our longing, earnestly seeking, and asking to be fed. Our growth in Christ requires a desire for the Word that is akin to the desire a baby has for milk…..read the rest of the post here:  Lay it aside…

“Blessed are The Meek,…” | The Beatitudes Series | Part 3

This is part of a great series by Efua at Grace Over Pain on the Beatitudes. Head over and read. Comments closed here; blessings and enjoy.

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I like to refer to meekness as strength under control. It’s like an animal that has been tamed. That animal still has the strength she had prior to being tamed. The difference between then and now is that the animal is subject to the owner’s authority and will only show that strength when the need arises. The same animal that can tear and destroy can be cuddled because that animal has learnt how to put her strength under control.

A perfect example of someone who showed this attribute is Jesus Christ. Imagine his journey to the cross. He has the power to kill everyone who oppressed him. He could have called on angels to come fight on His behalf. But he didn’t. This exactly is an attribute Jesus Christ wants us to have.

Meekness is different from quietness. Oftentimes we mistake both. To be meek is to totally yield oneself to God’s authority. In this race we are in, we really cannot go far if we don’t have this attribute. And I think it is one of the most attributes needed in the church today. Humility. These days most people want a platform and want their voices to be heard. However it takes meekness to stay under authority. We need meekness to be able to have the right relationship with people. This we won’t be able to do if we don’t see them with the eyes of love.

Meekness isn’t when we never disagree with people. To be meek isn’t to tolerate sin and to never speak up about things that should be spoken about.

To be meek isn’t to always sweep things under the carpet in order not to face and deal with issues. Remember Jesus Christ who is our perfect example of meekness is a loving God of justice. He spoke up against the Pharisees when He needed to.…..read the rest of the post here: “Blessed are The Meek,…” | The Beatitudes Series | Part 3

John McArthur-The Benefits of Abiding in Christ Part 3

Adrian Rogers-The Nature of the Beast

Jesus’ Resurrection Proves the Members of the Trinity are Divine

A deep study yet easy to follow here from SlimJim at the Domain for Truth. Comments closed here; blessings and enjoy.

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This is an excerpt from the materials I’m teaching overseas.

Jesus’ Resurrection Proves the Members of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) are Divine.  How?

Here’s an outline.

1. God alone has the power of giving life.
   1. “See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put death and give life. I have wounded and it is I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand” (Deuteronomy 32:39)
      1. Here God makes it clear that “there is no god besides Me”
      2. One of the ways God is different and real is that He “give life.” Thus God is God.
   2. This truth is echoed in Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2:6.……read the rest of the post here: Jesus’ Resurrection Proves the Members of the Trinity are Divine