When God Moved a Mountain

If better is possible, good is not enough

is the proverb of our guestwriter for today, Coco, who found herself at the brink of quitting the profession that she had chosen in her life.

I felt then that I cannot do anymore what I have been doing for just a short period of time. Honestly, I want to scream out lout and tell the world that my life sucks. My feet have been heavy to carry as I walk to school, and it has been a burden to enter every class. Each day has become a boring routine and all I wish that time was the end of every quarter or end of the school year. {The Perks of Being a Teacher}

She wrote four years back, when she was still reviewing for her licensure examination. {From Theories to Practice}

For the job that brings home a lot of extra work, nobody sees or thinks of a teacher having to do, often when giving more, the person being paid less, and having no respect as part of the compensation, it seems she was at that time a little-bit depressed or not satisfied, being not receiving what she had hoped for.

It took her two years after she passed graduation and stood the test of her board exam, when she started to understand the real meaning of the field that she had chosen.

Theories of learning, methods and strategies in teaching, styles in classroom management, types of assessment, and many other topics has become vividly clear to me when I encountered them in the classroom and applied them in my teaching. {From Theories to Practice}

Since 2014, she has recorded the books that she finished. In 2016, the year she made her life free from writing her thesis, but doing so actually imprisoned her with thicker things to accomplish, she was thrilled that she was able to finish 67 books, though her goal was to finish 60 books only, so going beyond her target made her stark happy. In fact, she finds she read many great books that year. {No Excuses}

January the 22nd she just finished one of her most favourite Christian books “Believe That You Can” by Jentezen Franklin.

The first time I read it, I decided to leave my job and try something different. Months later, I was in a different working environment, and I never regret that decision I made. The Lord gave a lot of breakthroughs since then.

In Many opportunities given by God you could already see how God is there to come to people. Even when they might think they are on their own or may have to undergo horrible experiences, there they could find the Mighty Hand of God.

Today’s guest-speaker also has that experience of the Most High having an eye onto her, even she has not assets like Abraham had. Also in these modern times God is prepared to be with His creatures and to favour those who are willing to give themselves in His Hand.

Coco actually almost lost hope with her sister when she failed her defence and she’s not graduating this March. Together with her mother she approached her sister. The mother doing the encouraging part and she the praying part. Finding out the good news that she passed, becoming  the happiest man alive that moment.

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Preceding article

Many opportunities given by God

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The Breakthroughs of Pursuit

Today, I just finished my most favorite Christian book Believe That You Can by Jentezen Franklin.

The first time I read it, I decided to leave my job and try something different. Months later, I was in a different working environment, and I never regret that decision I made. The Lord gave a lot of breakthroughs since then.

I can because the Lord can always move mountains. Although I am not Abraham, God favors me as much as He did with Abraham.

I actually almost lost hope with my sister when my mom broke the news that my sister told her that she failed her defense and she’s not graduating this March. Since then, I felt a pang in my heart and that was a heavy burden I’ve been carrying.

It was really devastating and disappointing, but when I gathered all my strength, I confronted her to fight for it…

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Many opportunities given by God

I often did not have it easy in my life. Certain choices also made it that I got myself in more trouble than if I would have followed the mainstream.

Career Opportunities (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First there was the choice of my profession. Having being brought up in the Old Roman Catholic church, having been an acolyte, wanting to be working for God, becoming a priest was a first option, but then I was not allowed to marry, and I loved to much women. I also loved very much musicals and wanted to be an artist, able to sing and dance. when I asked to study that I got a slap in my face and was told I could better become a garbage man than an artist. In secret I started lessons and worked in my spare time to pay for the study. It was a good thing about that time time Europe had to build itself up again and had to find its way to restore from the horror of wars and the political systems which brought Europe unto the swamp.

Being so much interested in God, having had to learn the Catechism, comparing to what was written in the Scriptures I soon found out that the Catholic Faith (be it the Roman, Charismatic or Orthodox) was not according to Biblical teachings. This made it again difficult for my parents and me, creating a conflict on theological matters now. After some church shopping, having looked at different protestant denominations, I chose for a non-trinitarian church (the Baptist Church at that time and when the Baptists moved more to Trinitarianism I, like thousands of my brethren and sisters chose for an other non-trinitarian group: the Christadelphians)

Concerned about the world I also stood on the barricades in 1968, hoping for a better world. Becoming a dancer I also more than once had to face the difficulties of my body which also more than once was pushed in the corner by accidents or by my autoimmune illness. Continually I had to prove myself and found that I had to restart my life again. Later the children sometimes asked “Why did you do not that?”  or asked “Why did you not get that role?” or “Why did he got that position instead of you?”. It looked strange for them that I made certain ethical choices and did not want to do certain things to get a certain position. At the end of the trail, now being retired I do not have to shame myself for everything I did. And looking back on my career I must confess that I have really being blessed, being able my whole life to do what I loved to do and having been able to refuse several jobs because I did not like them or did not find them appropriate for a Christian to do (or did not want to do what they hoped for, for giving me that role or position).

In the end I can see how I was blessed and how there was an Incredible Strong Hand that pushed me in certain directions or got me up again when I was in the trenches. I was very lucky to have done fantastic work and having worked with fantastic people, international stars as well as with incredible people who, like me would only be known by their stage name or be forgotten soon.

Under this (official civil name) name I am writing I often was bullied because I did not hesitate to say my opinion or to speak about my faith which was not according to the main Christian majority. Once more I felt the Strong Hand of God, Who guided me and gave me further insight.

We may encounter lots of moments of darkness in our life, but by the sun-rays which brake the darkness we should come to see the better end of it. I had some horrible experiences in my life, which I would not wish any body would have such ones. But they helped me to help others and they also helped me to become strengthened or to know I was on the right way to show others how they have to behave or not have to behave. (For one incident: Though I never know what happened to a gang of seven that once attacked me with a knife in Chiswick Park, I do know I came out alive of it by keeping calm and trusting God.)

Over the years I also came to see how God uses the different elements/groups or denominations in Christendom to bring people from those different parts of the Body of Christ together in unity with Christ. Though for some it might take many years. But God is patient and we as Christians should also be patient with those we want to bring to Christ, getting them to believe that Jesus is the Way to God and not God himself.

In the meantime God is also helping others of different faith to build up a life, so that they too shall come to see how God helps them in their life.

Today I also want to bring an other case than myself to attention.

On the net you may find a blog which

“is a testimony of God’s goodness, protection and guidance over me and my family.” {Surpises: Bad news turned to Good!}

it’s from a person who is been working with for almost all of her tenure in the financial industry. She writes

Surprisingly, we lost the bid! Another bigger company took over the account, leaving our company with a devastating, disappointing news. {Surpises: Bad news turned to Good!}

She confidently,  was not affected by the bad news and is convinced that

God has gone ahead of this scene, He knew it would come. And He knew, that I would be the very first one to feel fearful among all my colleagues. Why? I have all the reasons why, I am not as competitive as they are – being in the sales industry, my achievements were not at par as what my colleagues had produced. I would be in the bottom list, definitely! {Surpises: Bad news turned to Good!}

Like I had certain feelings in my life the author of that blog also has the feeling God assured me of the things that may come to pass. She writes

Last year, the Lord has been very busy preparing me and my husband with so many things, including the planning and executions.

We have gone to the most “thriftiest” way we can save money, He gave us a house , He brought the desire of going back home, instead. He gave a new sustainable job for my husband, He increased our commission in ways that we can finish all our goals for 2016. And finally we come up to an answer, that hey, I will finish my job this March 2017. {Surpises: Bad news turned to Good!}

Please do read more about her experiences and her telling about their family’s life circumstances

We all had a fair share of life circumstances. 2014, we lost our dad due to cancer, my husband lost his lolo due to old age, we had 2 series of unemployments and some financial problems. 2015, it’s like the continuation of 2014, consoling our mom during our mourning season, separation and long-distance childcare, 1 unemployment and financial struggle. 2016, was a good year, God restored all that we wanted to pursue, those that we missed, savings goals, dreams, home acquisition, clearer goals and more. 2017, is still uncertain, we have expectations and even before we embark to this year, God already had confirmations of what to expect and we are excited with that.
Through it all, there is one important thing that God wants us to inhabit in our hearts, it is about “gratefulness”. {New Perspective: Gratefulness and Thankfulness}

And find that

we would learn how to cultivate a life of gratefulness and thankfulness. Learning to appreaciate every season in our lives, that we will not give up on ourselves because God never did, and even if there are some struggles and life- circumstances – God is always there so inclined and willing to help and guide us.

In all things, give God praise, not only for the gifts that He gives, but because we understand that He is the source of all things. Our giver and our Father. Learn to be grateful even in the little, so when the big one comes, we will be more grateful. 🙂
Be thankful, always! {New Perspective: Gratefulness and Thankfulness}

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Find the articles

• New Perspective: Gratefulness and Thankfulness
• Surpises: Bad news turned to Good!

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Preceding

What would you do if…?

Just be yourself…

Winter and Spring wonders of nature showing the Master’s Hand

Echo

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Additional reading

1. The Question is this…
2. Struggles of life

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Further reading

1. Under His Wings Part One
2. Day 36: Living above reproach
3. Dying to Live
4. Bad Habits
5. Life is Hard only half of the Truth
6. Of Gifts and Grace and Immeasurably More
7. – Laying Hold of the Hope –
8. How to Live When this World Seems in Chaos (Part 3)
9. Suffering, part 5; Mixed Bags
10. Treasures of the Heart
11. Seen Another Way
12. Do People Still Do Thanksgiving???
13. Happy Thanksgiving 2016
14. Just Thankful: My #24
15. a Thanksgiving meditation
16. A Thankful Heart at Year’s End 2016
17. When 2017 doesn’t look like you thought
18. Give & Take Away
19. Testimony Tuesday
20. goodness precedes knowledge in Christianity/ in the faith
21. Thank You
22. I See, God Is Good
23. God is good, in all the timing
24. God’s Goodness vs Seeking Safety
25. Only Goodness
26. Greatness in You
27. The Naked Truth
28. The Faultfinder
29. God’s goodness and Promises – By Laurence Torr
30. Praise The Lord For His Goodness
31. Just What I Needed
32. good
33. Today’s walk
34. God’s recycling program
35. The Battle Is Real
36. Creation reveals God’s goodness
37. If God guides, He will provide
38. When God Moved a Mountain
39. R.A. Torrey: Soul Winner
40. Fruit of the Spirit!

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What would you do if…?

Lots of people encounter many struggles in life. Some get to learn how to cope with them, others get pulled down so much that they do not see any reason any more to live.

All have good and bad moments in life and whether we’re going through the worst of times or the best of times, history and our own experiences show us that life does go on and that we are just a very tiny atom in it

In this world there are people who, like Ray who grew up in London, moved away and travelled the world, ending up back where he started, are not able to raise their arm but found ways using other parts of their body to communicate or to move things, though at times it may feel for them like they might as well be trying to move the earth.

It is not the Most High Creator Who brings all that badness over us. But it is Him Who give us the opportunity to work around it and to become stronger, if we allow Him working in our midst.

We should not fear man nor fear worldly situations or diseases, but should fear God and come to trust and honour Him, putting our ‘tiny’ hand in His Big Hand, to be carried through life.

There are no rules to how life plays out. We have no control over it. The only thing we have control over is how we face those challenges. We are not so much a product of the challenges placed before us as we are a product of how each of us has faced those challenges. {To Live And Ride With ALS}

Please do find what Bill of Unshakable hope has to say and look how he manages to cope with the terminal disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS or call it “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”.

He does not believe God causes trials and he doesn’t believe we will ever fully understand, at least not in this life.

But, whatever other reasons God has for allowing trials, I discovered two big things that He accomplishes through our trials; He helps us reset our priorities and forms our character. (Obviously He had a lot of work to do on me).

For sure he is not the only one to whom God has a lot of work to do. For the creator of this and some other lifestyle magazines had also to go through two near death experiences before he decided to work more for God. It does not mean, that took all the pain and frustrations away from him, but he gets encouraged by feeling the Hand of God at work in him … and that keeps him going….

One night, about a year before Bill was diagnosed with ALS, he and his wife Mary were up late watching “Nightline” on which Ted Koppel was doing three nights of interviews with retired college professor Morrie Schwartz who also had ALS and was sharing his life-lessons with Ted Koppel just as he had done previously with one of his former students named Mitch Albom who compiled these life-lessons and wrote a best-selling book titled “Tuesdays with Morrie.”

Bill has one vivid memory from watching those interviews

having to rely on his wife + caregivers for virtually all of his needs = helpless he was

Bill turned to Mary and told her

I would rather just go to heaven than live trapped in my own body like him.

a year after making that statement = diagnosed with same “trapped-in-your-own-body” disease

=> hastily-made statement began to haunt + taunt me

=> change view + began trying to do best to live one day at a time <= grace of God in me, urging me to keep going

Hastily-made statements carelessly uttered by healthy people = spoken out of pride = cannot comprehend grace of God <= self-reliant, self-righteous + just plain selfish

Trials cause us to reexamine hastily-made statements we’ve made before the trial, when we so carelessly said what we’d do if this thing or that thing happened to us.

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Preceding articles

The Greatest Fear

Fear in your own heart or outside of it

Fear, struggles, sadness, bad feelings and depression

Phantom Of Dreams

How to Find the Meaning of Life and Reach a State of Peace

Watch out

Walking in the Light of Life

See the conquest and believe that we can gain the victory

When the world rages, let it rage, but let us not fear it

Those steady drips, those small steps!

My tales will be beautiful

For those Christians who say they are the Victim

Christians remaining hidden not sharing the gospel

How To Get Started In Sharing Your Faith As a Christian

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Additional reading

1. Struggles of life
2. Pain and Suffering is inevitable but Misery is optional
3. Good and bad things in this world
4. Your struggles develop your strengths
5. A way to prepare for the Kingdom
6. Not holding back and getting out of darkness
7. Science, scepticism, doubts and beliefs
8. If there is bitterness in the heart
9. Emotional pain and emotional deadness
10. Evil in this world not bringing us down
11. Dying or not
12. Life Goes On
13. Trouble is coming
14. End of the Bottom Line
15. A small trouble is like a pebble
16. She who sows thistles will reap prickles
17. Do not be so busy adding up your troubles
18. Do the appropriate for a friend
19. A Breath for tomorrow
20. Shelter in the morning
21. Luck
22. Rejoice even though bound to grieve
23. From pain to purpose
24. Faith because of the questions
25. Hope by faith and free gift
26. 1 Corinthians 15 Hope in action
27. May reading the Bible provoke us into action to set our feet on the narrow way
28. You God hold the future
29. Gaining Christ, trusting Jehovah
30. God is my refuge and my fortress in Him I will trust
31. Trust God to shelter, safety and security
32. Songs in the night Worship God only

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Further reading

1. ALS Awareness Month
2. Pesticide Use Linked To Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s & ALS
3. Why Me?
4. Having the Right Perspective
5. To Live And Ride With ALS
6. To Live And Ride With ALS (Part ll)
7. The Preamble
8. The Sacred In The Mundane
9. Don’t give up!
10. The Bread Of Affliction
11. I Can’t Resist A Good Challenge!
12. I’m Sorry
13. Cape and Tights – My Grandmother’s Struggle with ALS
14. 2016/05/09/ Repost
15. Mother With ALS Paints Again
16. Kirkus Review of My Perfect Imperfections
17. The Reason I Run, Chris Spriggs – a review
18. The Walk
19. Army vet starts ‘#22kill push up challenge’ to help other veterans
20. One man’s poison is another man’s….
21. The Story So Far…
22. Can you see it?
23. The Woman Behind The Blog
24. The Privilege of Growing Old
25. How Famous Researchers Work: Stephen Hawking
26. Advocates for Rare Diseases

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• The haunting true story of a man who spent 2 years in a self-contained ‘Biosphere’ and nearly fell apart
• Former Philadelphia Eagles fullback Kevin Turner passes away at age 46
• Former Patriots player dies after battling ALS
• Breath Of Life

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Unshakable Hope

One night, about a year before I was diagnosed with ALS, Mary and I were up late watching “Nightline.” Ted Koppel was doing three nights of interviews with a retired college professor named Morrie Schwartz. Morrie had ALS and was sharing his life-lessons with Ted Koppel just as he had done previously with one of his former students named Mitch Albom. Mitch later compiled these life-lessons and wrote a best-selling book titled “Tuesdays with Morrie.”

I hate to admit this, but even after seeing the three nights of interviews and reading the book, I cannot remember most of the life-lessons that Morrie taught. But, I do have one vivid memory from watching those interviews; it occurred while listening to Morrie describe his daily routine – having to rely on his wife and caregivers for virtually all of his needs. After hearing how helpless he was…

View original post 541 more words

Winter and Spring wonders of nature showing the Master’s Hand

In the early 1860s, Gregor Mendel developed the concept of the gene to help explain results obtained while crossbreeding strains of garden peas. He identified physical characteristics (phenotypes), such as plant height and seed color, that could be passed on, unchanged, from one generation to the next. The hereditary factor that predicted the phenotype was termed a “gene.” Mendel hypothesized that genes were inherited in pairs, one from the male and one from the female parent. Plants that bred true (homozygotes) had inherited identical genes from their parents, whereas plants that did not breed true (hybrids, or heterozygotes) inherited alternative copies of the genes (alleles) from one parent that were similar, but not identical, to those from the other parent. {Encyclopedia, topic Genes} When you know that we have about 140,000 genes which instruct the body’s cells to put amino acids in the right sequence in order to build proteins, you might wonder how this all was provided in the first instance.

Mørketid or Polar night at the South Pole, Antarctica.

One type of light therapy lamp for classic (winter-based) seasonal affective disorder

After the “Majestic darkness”, the “Mörketid,” or the time when the sun does not rise at all in northern Norway the Northern Europeans may see light coming up the horizon. For two months, only a gray-red twilight glow was visible for a few hours at noontime. Having 21.2 percent of Norwegians living beyond the polar circle suffering from Winter depression they now may come back to life. Some looked for their therapeutic ‘sunlights’. The fresh light shall have the melatonin, a hormone produced in the brain, to increase again. They do know that an increasing number of tourists, however, are enticed to the polar circle by the flickering aurora, the glistening of the snow in the moonlight, and the cozy light of scattered villages. Also for them it are wonders of nature.

In Winter the social activities could have helped to keep people enjoying life. According to a Harvard University study, elderly people who participate in social activities, such as going to church, restaurants, sports events, and movies, live an average of two and a half years longer than less social people. It has long been assumed that it was the physical part of such activities that helped people, said Harvard’s Thomas Glass, who led the study. However, he added that this study provides

“perhaps the strongest circumstantial evidence we’ve had to date that having a meaningful purpose at the end of life lengthens life.”

Glass noted that doing more, regardless of the activity, extended life in almost every case.

With warmer weather awaited and the days becoming longer we should look forward to more outdoor activities which shall give us more fresh and hopefully better air. Though we do have to think seriously about preserving that fresh air and doing much more against the pollution.

TV watching may come in second to relax, after listening to music (according to a study of 2000), people should find more leisure in going to do outdoors leisure activities and socialising more. In this system of things throughout Europe more and more people are feeling pressed for time, reported in 1999 the German newspaper Gießener Allgemeine. The same is true whether people are working outside the home, doing housework, or enjoying leisure time.

“People sleep less, eat faster, and feel more rushed on the job than 40 years ago,”

says sociologist Manfred Garhammer, of Bamberg University.Part of that sleeping less is brought on by watching more television which is recently pushed more in the background by the youngsters who are spending lots of times on social media. Though they seem to accumulate lots of friends on them, they seem to be more lonely and prone depression than some years ago. We also hear of many more borderline personality disorders and eating disorders and broken families which do not help to have some good relations or making people happy.

The second decade of this century daily life continued to accelerate in all the European nations. You would think labour saving household devices and a reduction in hours at work would have brought about any “leisure society” or “time prosperity.” Instead, on average, time for meals has been reduced by 20 minutes and for a night’s rest by 40 minutes and people take less time to look at the beauties around them. The magic of nature, plants growing, animals going around, all seems to pass their eyes unnoticed.

In case they would give it more attention they not only would enjoy life much more but they also would come to see that all that vibrant exuberant activity is marvellously orchestrated and that there is a Master Brain behind it.

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Preceding:

Time to Unwind

Earth’s Unwinding

Autumn is in the land

Spring playing hide and seek

Spring-migration is on at the Holler

Beauty for beauty

Shy beauties

Time to bloom

3 daffodils

Echo

How to make sustainable, green habits second nature

We all have to have dreams

Savouring pictorial entertainement

Engagement in an actual two-way conversation with your deities

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Find also to read:

1. Democratic downfall
2. USA Climate Change Action Plan
3. 20 Best Gratitude Quotes
4. Bad company ruins good morals
5. Cleanliness and worrying or not about purity
6. Man in picture, seen from the other planets
7. Inequality, Injustice, Sustainability and the Free World Charter
8. Paris World Summit of Conscience, International interfaith gathering #1

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Further readings

1. Gratitude; by Lights media
2. Living Life to the Fullest
3. Animal Spirits: The Raven/Crow and The Hummingbird
4. The “Pursuit” of Happiness
5. Our State of Health and Happiness
6. Leisure-time – boredom-issues concerning college-students

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Related articles

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• Climate Change Shifting Wine Grape Harvests in France and Switzerland
• India starts survey of elderly people to address their needs
• The genesis of schizophrenia
• Even if GMOs are safe, mandatory labeling is a good idea
• Is it “Wrong” to Believe that the Earth is a Sphere?
• Loneliness (as seen by Tess Connor)
• “Unnoticed”
• Lonely Life

Echo

Some might think God is blind or are deaf to His calling and to His answers, often because they prefer keeping stuck with human dogmatic teachings, like the trinity, or because they still do not want to give themselves in the Hands of the Divine Maker.

We are often so afraid of what would happen if we let ourselves go, giving our inner self into the hands of the One Who we cannot see. Also we are so much afraid of facing ourself, having to be confronted with our mirror image. Who likes the naughty bits of himself? Who wants to be confronted with that which is not so good about himself?

We often want to criticise others but do not like to receive criticism ourselves, and to criticise ourselves is even more difficult.

When we dare to look through the clouds and fog we shall see the light that can bring us further on the path of a richer life. Behind all darkness is the God of light and clarity. Lets look for Him Who gives life.

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Find also:

1. Once upon a nape’s Ghost-ship
2. A Start for looking at the unseen and the treasure to look forward to
3. All about love, not needing disasters
4. Dealing with the silence of God

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Related articles

• What do I love when I love my God?
• The Great Invocation
• “Lights of the World”
• Give fear a chance, says Anglicanism’s top cleric
• Active, Not Passive
• First Fruits of Zion criticises theology of Messianic Jews featured on Walla! News
• A More Christ-Like God by Bradley Jersak

The Raven's Nest

Sinking lies or rising truth…Visual Echo, Mirror

I breathe on it and my life spread a foggy spell enough to blur all harshness and sharp definitions. Do I exist without reflection, thoughts and images are one in the mercury cloud?

Others see me like that?

Weapon of deceit, fear, mirrors can hide you better than an invisibility cloak. But you know.

Gateway, witness, charm, spell, light and darkness, whether whole or broken it is who you are for the others, it is who you are in the present it gives back what it receives.

I don’t see your reflection now I only see you. The mirror turned into water or sky, your hand approaches the water wall.

Crossing is accessible.

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Summerholiday season time to read the Bible

At last the sun has shown her face and people can really get a feeling of Summertime.

Summertime also includes the time to have pleasures to do whatever one chooses, and finding the pleasure one enjoys from his or her actions.
It is a time when lots who have have faith in themselves take time to be on their own at the swimming pool or some relaxing place. Under Christians we also can find those who have been told by well-meaning but errant advisers, “God helps those who help themselves.”
They spend their lives dependent upon their own abilities, or wisdom, or knowledge expecting that God will stand by as a faithful servant to bless all of their endeavours whether it be His will or not. Others may look at others, thinking they can be the way to success. They prefer to put their faith in others. We may wonder why they do not trust themselves not more. Did they get blinded by the fact that certain individuals possesses great knowledge, or apparent wisdom, power, or even anointing? In our society we can find many who look up at others, like they are gods and lift them up more highly than they ought and bestow their faith in a human being.{1}

Too many people put all their faith in the world, instead in the Creator of the world. Summertime is often a time to reflect. It is the time to take a rest and to forget all the worries of daily stress and work.

In the Summertime (Thirsty Merc song) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People can put their daily worries about work and getting some income aside. It is time for relaxation and meditation. Not bad to take time to reflect on different matters. It is also some time to consider what is worthwhile in life and which direction to take further.

Summertime is also an ideal time where people have time to do some reading and to take time to go and see things. Many go abroad and look far a way from home for better pastures.

Like Caroline Kepnes there may be people thinking

“There is no better boost in the present than an invitation into the future.”

In this present time lots of people totally lost connection with the Maker of the universe. But why not making use of the free time now to go and read His own Words, which are recorded for mankind so that they can progress and learn the way to go. In the book of books is the way shown to come closer to the Maker of everything and to find eternal happiness.

When taking time to read the Bible you will be surprised how it can open your eyes and give a clear picture of this present world and how you can have a better life than this world is trying to present you.

There is also the calling sound

And the “invitation into the future” goes out right now. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20) {2}

Jesus saves net writes:

Let us not question God our creator, but let us embrace His salvation plan given to us through His Son Jesus, many say, you have a mind of your own and you should decide for yourself. {3}

Lots of people have decided to go for the world’s temptations and to enjoy whatever they can get today. They are not so much interested in the future and prefer to live the day like it comes. They do not see the folly of man which is greater than man’s wisdom.

Now we can find time to meditate on the way the world is evolving and the way we want to go in this world. We should consider taking time to investigate the matters of life and the way we want to go. Do we want to cling to the materialistic world or rather cling to Him Who gives life and surrender to His will than rely on our limited perception of life. {3}

Summertime is an ideal time to reflect if we in our lives, our works or even our conversation, could shine and bring blissful rays over unto others. It is a good period to question ourselves and to check if we managed to bring honour to God throughout the previous year. It is time to reflect if we have not failed to do the Will of God. {4}

When we do what God desires, we will naturally Glorify Our Lord and Our Friend, which will bring honor to The Father. {4}

To be able to do what God desires from us, we should get to know what He really wants. We should take time to find that out. Now in Summer, when we do not have to go to work, we can use the free time to take some moments to read in the Bible. The extra free time should not only give us opportunity to see other places, travelling to widen our horizon, but also to educate ourselves.

Going other places, meeting different people, we should make use of the free time to enlarge our knowledge about others and about God. It is also time to show others the right attitude of a Christian and to let them feel and see that we are Children of God.

Let everything we do brings honor to His Name. {4}

Looking at all the marvellous things we can encounter on our voyage or on our Summer-holiday we can see the Hand of God in all of this. then we also should take some time to thank Him for all this, we can enjoy.

In the place of difficulty, one is thrown off balance and then people find they need help and often than they call unto God, but when at pleasure time and when everything seems to go smoothly, many forget The High One. Also now when at ease it is a good time to take time for our Creator and to turn to God in humility and need.

The walk of faith is not a journey of those who have it all together. (One might suggest that too often, we have acted otherwise.) {5}

One act of faith is doing works of faith, because without works faith is death. To keep the faith alive we also have to nourish it. Now you can sit back and relax, please to take time to pick up the Bible and to read in it daily. Even if it was only for reading one chapter a day and to meditate on it, you shall find it shall give you spiritual food, which shall make you wiser and stronger.

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Notes + elements discussed in other writings:

{1} The Faith Life (Part 4: Faith’s Direction and Location)

{2} An Invitation into the Future

{3} God is in control

{4} Reflective Moment “Glory To Our King’

{5} Column: Giving words to our prayers

+

Preceding:

Summermonths and consumerism

Psst! Spread The Good Word!

++
Additional readings:

1. Relapse plan
2. Making time for prayer in Summerholiday
3. Holiday tolerance
4. A tongue to speak slowly and well-considered
5. Humility and the Fear of the Lord
6. Wisdom lies deep
7. Looking for something or for the Truth and what it might be and self-awareness
8. Not able to make contact with God because to busy
9. A question to be posed
10. A Living Faith #2 State of your faith
11. Actions to be a reflection of openness of heart
12. Growth in character
13. Those who make peace should plant peace like a seed
14. How to Find the Meaning of Life and Reach a State of Peace
15. Appointed to be read
16. Bric-a-brac of the Bible
17. Glory of only One God Who gives His Word
18. Bible, helmet of health, salvation and sword of the spirit
19. We should use the Bible every day
20. Feed Your Faith Daily
21. A Bible Falling Apart Belongs to Someone who isn’t
22. Truth never plays false roles of any kind, which is why people are so surprised when meeting it
23. The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen
24. The manager and Word of God
25. Scripture alone Sola Scriptora
26. Even in tough times remembering the blessings
27. Get up in the morning and pray for the Lord’s blessings
28. Aim High: Examples of Godly Characters to follow
29. Happy who’s delight is only in the law of Jehovah
30. Youth has difficulty Bible Reading
31. Be an Encourager
32. An ecclesia in your neighbourhood

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Related articles

• Raising A Godly Child – Things Parents Can Do (empowermentmomentsblog.com)
• The Origin and Purpose of the Bible (dailybibleplan.com)
• Fear what is it good for? (activeinspiration.wordpress.com)
• Tuesday’s Sound Off (pottsmerc.com)
• The Faith Life (Part 4: Faith’s Direction and Location) (theeyesoffaith.wordpress.com)
• Things we say as Christians. And why it’s imperative that we stop. (chrismartinwrites.com)
• God’s Touch (franciscanflowers.wordpress.com)

Material gain to honour God

Front cover of the first edition of Lenin’s Materialism and Empirio-Criticism, published in Moscow in 1909 under the pseudonym “Vl. Ilyin.” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Around us we may find lots of material things which can attract and distract us. We have nature, something which can not be made by man but can only be adjusted or changed to man’s desires. We have all sorts man-made things which can be for use or just for being there, one moment to give pleasure, an other moment to be thrown away as useless.

The things from nature, the goods which make us able to create things they all come from somewhere. It is the earth that gives it to us.  But behind it is the Master Hand. What lots of people do not see or do not want to know is that behind everything made there is the Master Creator Who allows others to be and to create such things.

For many it is a very hard thing to believe that everything we can see around us and all things we can have is because God allows it to be there. It is there because of God allowing it but it also belongs to God.  We like to think that what we have is ours and no one elses.  Man wants to have everything for him or herself. Man wants to feed the “I” and wants to satisfy the “I”. Man thinks by taking all things for him/herself he can be and can satisfy the inner person and fulfil his “I am” ambition.

Strangely enough people want to gather as much as they can and safe it, though they will not be able to take it with them when they die. Their possessions will either go to someone else or be thrown away to be incinerated or to go in oblivion on the trash pile.

In this world there are so many who want to flaunt with what they can gather. They are so  proud, but in a way do know nothing, and dote on an argument and quarrel on the use of a word or on the way of life. With their earthly grabbing culture they are the cause of envy and controversy and blasphemy and evil premeditation.

Strife among men whose minds are corrupt and who are cut off from the truth and who think worshipping God is for worldly gain should alert us and make it that we keep away from such things. Those who love God should know that their gain is greater contentment, for it is the worship of God.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1Ti 6:6-7 HNV  But godliness with contentment is great gain.  (7)  For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out.

Donkey cart in Conlig A change from all the materialism that seems to arise early in December – these children take to more traditional activities, in this case dressing up in Victorian fashion and parading along The Green in Conlig village. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Therefore, let us enjoy the beauty of nature and the God given things and let us be satisfied with food, raiment and shelter. For those who desire to be rich, fall into temptations, and snares, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which causes them to sink in degeneration and destruction.  For the love of money is the root of all evil: and there are some men who have coveted it and have thereby erred from the faith, they have brought to themselves many sorrows.

1Ti 6:8-10 HNV  But having food and clothing, we will be content with that.  (9)  But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction.  (10)  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

In case you love God and you want to go for Him, you should flee these things; and follow after righteousness, piety, faith, love, patience, and meekness.  We are told to fight the good fight of faith, and to let the right things reign in our mortal body, laying hold on eternal life to which we are called, having professed a true profession before many witnesses.

1Ti 6:11-12 HNV  But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.  (12)  Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.

1Co 6:18 HNV  Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

Rom 6:12 HNV  Therefore don’t let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

Nothing but the all mighty God, mighty Prince, the King of kings, and Lord of lords,  has immortality or deathlessness, dwelling in the light which no man can approach, and whom no man has seen, nor can see. To Him be honour and dominion for ever and ever. Even Christ Jesus, the son of God had to face death. He really died, was three days in hell and was than taken out of the dead by his heavenly Father, the Only One True God.

Even the son who has received authority from his heavenly Father to judge and to be a king shall have to hand over the Kingdom of God to his heavenly Father in due time, because everything belongs to God.

Like Jesus only did the Will of his heavenly Father, and not his own will, we should try to do also the Will of God. Like Jesus could not do anything without his Father, we should know also that nothing is possible without God as Sustainer of the world allowing it to happen.

As Christians we should know that we live in the world but should not be part of it. We may get many possessions but should take care those things do not take possession of us.
Everything what we gather in our life we should use for the good. Not only for the good of the self but also for helping others.

Let us remember that those things which may life easier for us should be used to to do God’s will and to honour Him by what we do with it. And let us go for the real treasures.

Mat 6:19-21 HNV  “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;   (20)  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;   (21)  for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

*

Strife: heated, often violent conflict or disagreement; angry or violent struggle or quarrel; Contention or competition between rivals; trouble or discord of any kind; strenuous effort; open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)

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Preceding articles:

Thought of the day: We want more, i want more, but why is that?

Mini-MAX-malism: A Bigger Approach to Less is More

Stop and Think

Learning that stuff is just stuff

Material wealth, Submission and Heaven on earth

How to Find the Meaning of Life and Reach a State of Peace

Less… is still enough

Less for more

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Additional reading:

1. What Are You Seeking?
2. Souls and Religions with Nirvana and light
3. Finding Beauty Amongst the Trash
4. True happiness, love and perfection
5. Not holding back and getting out of darkness
6. Purify my heart
7. Two states of existence before God
8. A good idea to halt all activity for one hour some day
9. A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
10. Rest thy delight on Jehovah
11. The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen
12. Humbleness
13. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God
14. What happens when we die?
15. Is there an Immortal soul
16. Looking on what is going on and not being of it

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Further reading:

• What is the Root of All Evil?
• Love of money
• Money! money! Money! It has become our goal and our god!
• For The Love of Money Is The Root of All Evil
• Materialism
• Self-indulgence
• Your Business, Your Money, Your Faith
• Money & That Love of it
• Not That Rich
• The danger of riches: Mark 10-11
• the true riches
• How to Lose Your True Wealth
• Loving Money is Spiritual Suicide
• Our world is hell
• The modern prosperity teachings
• Possessions and the kingdom
• Serving two masters
• A Crown Of Splendor
• Watch Your Focus! 1 Timothy 6, March 23, 2014
• 1 Timothy 6:6-10
• Stay Focused
• I’d Rather Die Poor Than Live My Life Without You.
• Generosity
• Sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor
• February 18 – Contentment
• Woes and Watchout Warnings
• Materialism vs. Excellence
• Make Your Time Count
• Love not the world

Related articles

• I Am God. (justinianrogado.wordpress.com)
• Why Hell is Going On in the World (planet.infowars.com)
• John 3:1-17 God Loves us Sooo Much RSUMC 20150531 (mysundaysermons.com)
• We Serve The God Of Amazing Worth (brandinicolejm.wordpress.com)
• Material and RaisedButton. (chromiumcodereview.appspot.com)
• How To De-stress In The Material World (For Free!) (wakeup-world.com)
• Different kinds of wristbands (slideshare.net)
• Mexico politics (nation.com.pk)

Dealing With the “Silence” of God

We are not yet in the new heaven but should try to make an heaven on earth. We have a new earth but may not forget the old earth is also still existing.

The New Covenant may be sealed but those under it should do their best to proof to the outside world that they are part of the Body of Christ.

God’s silence is not continue and His Words are hovering all over the earth while His works are constantly continuing, each day mysteriously changing many souls.

If we are opening our ears and are willing to see around us we shall see the Hand of God, the Works of God and hear His Voice.

How much are we willing to see and hear? That shall decide a lot.

Coming closer to the end times we may be sure that the haters of God shall go more wild and do their utmost best to bring others away from the Divine Creator.
Therefore it becomes more important now for the lovers of God to show others the Way Jesus prepared for going up to his Father. As God used in the old times His soldiers we also should present ourselves as warriors for the Most High, Not fighting with the sword of revenge but with the sword of love and with the witnessing of the Good News, preaching wherever and whenever we can.

*

To remember:

• we have the Bible, full of miraculous occurrences and danger > yet our lives seem so comparatively uneventful
• not receiving constant divine revelations
• lack of overt guidance =>  become disillusioned and lose our way
• free minds + see reality for how it truly is that were able to perceive the spiritual all around them
• need eyes to see it
• our perception of the world that must change
• perceive the workings of God all around + acknowledge the truth.
• if you are waiting for miracles => happen extremely rarely and only for very particular reasons
• wicked generation seeks for a sign = lack of faith
• Faith = a virtue == Spiritual reality does not cease to operate just because miracles are not occurring.
• world = wondrous as it was in biblical times + God still working as much
• have to open our eyes to see those spiritual operations that are going on all around us
• study of scripture + examine our own lives
• intricate web of events led to who and where we are in the present day
• consider course of our life has taken = perceive meaning and significance => perceive Hand of God
• spiritual war going on all around us and every single last person is a combatant on one side or the other
• lacking direction => pray and consider environment + perceive workings of good and evil all around you => set out to aid the good and overcome the evil in the name of Jesus Christ.

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Additional reading:

1. Disappointed with God
2. Is God hiding His Face when He is seemingly silent
3. Mission son of God perceived as failure
4. Jesus’ answers about God’s silence
5. Be still and listen
6. Content with the ‘no’ answer
7. A Living Faith #7 Prayer
8. Chrystalised harmonious thinking
9. Epitome of the one faith
10. Incomplete without the mind of God
11. God His reward
12. Miracles in our time of suffering
13. Nurturing a close relationship with God
14. How to Find the Meaning of Life and Reach a State of Peace

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Related articles

• Your Part in the Body of Christ
• It’s up to you
• It’s up to you
• “The Supernatural Law of Faith” – Fifth Sunday of Lent
• Believe
• The flawed Apostles of Holy Thursday
• Christians Cautioned About False Doctrines
• Ybanag’s special delicacy for Holy week
• Maundy Thursday
• The Holy Fire Ceremony of Orthodox Christians reminds us we are spirit

Born to Shine not to fear!

Though it may be a very small picture demanding zooming in, its like the things in life which seem so unnoticeable but are there. Often man thinks him to be superior to all those things around him. He even thinks he can create some things better. But those matters where there is The Hand of the Supreme Being Maker of all things, man is just nothing, small like the a grain of sand.

Lots of people in that multitude of human beings feel like a nothing or like dust. They forget that they too are created in the image of the Most High Being, Creator of all things, the One Who let be. Nothing can exist without Him.

This Grand Maker wants us all to shine brightly as the stars he placed on the outskirts of the earth, twinkling in the heavens. We all should and are twinkling here on earth and may be noticed by a fellow traveller.

Each human being, allowed to be here, should not be afraid of his or her fellow man, because they all should more fear That One Who creates and lets be. He is it Who is eternal and can give us eternity for life or for death. He is it Who wants us to shine and wants us to come to Him as His little children eager to learn from Him.

Going up to Him we should be pleased to find others, who are willing to get out of the darkness with us. Together we can do more than on our own. God does not want us to walk on our own. He also has given the world His only begotten son to guide us and to show us the Way to God His Kingdom, where all should come together to live in peace and tranquillity, shining unto glory of Christ Jesus,the son of God , and to the One Who is greater than Jesus, The Only One God, the Adonai, Elohim Hashem Jehovah, Giver of life.

Jesus has liberated the world of its chains to death. We all should be happy and make use of that what Jesus has done for us all. In him we should unite and put on his armour, like him not doing our own will but the Will of God and making His Name to be known all over the world, so that the light can be broken and the Glory of God can shine all over the universe.

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Additional reading:

1. What is life?
2. Dying or not
3. Creator and Blogger God 3 Lesson and solution
4. Story of Jesus’ birth begins long before the New Testament
5. Science, belief, denial and visibility 1
6. “Before” and “after” the Big Bang

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Related articles

• Psalm 77 (embodiedtorah.wordpress.com)
  We commonly speak about God with human characteristics and emotions. We talk about God’s fingers, hands, arms, eyes, ears, and even nose, even though God has none of the above. We also commonly speak of God’s happiness, enjoyment, desire for obedience, sadness, regret, and compassion and other such human emotions. The 12th century philosopher Maimonides believed that we should not use such language for God, because to do so places limits on a God who is by definition infinite. However, Biblical literature is rich with anthropomorphic and anthropopathic language for God because it is the only way we have to to communicate our our sense of the Divine.
• Making Tough Decisions (curlychristians.com)
  It’s important to make the right choices, especially in the middle of hurt, discouragement, frustration and confusion when the right choice is the tough choice to make. When things are stressful, we naturally like to take the path of least resistance. But those are the very moments when you need to make the tougher choice. Because to reap right results in life, you have to do right when you don’t feel like it.
• Five things you didn’t know about Jesus (refreshingnews99.blogspot.com)
  Science and archaeology offer insights into ancient artifacts that could be linked to Jesus Christ. “Finding Jesus: Fact. Faith. Forgery,” premieres Sunday Night, March 1 at 9pm ET/PT on CNN.
  With Lent beginning, and a new CNN series on Christ coming up.
• It’s a Christian “Walk,” Not a Sprint (daviddflowers.com)
  The point of being a Christian is to become like Christ, the perfect human being.If you’ve been a follower of Jesus for any length of time you know that this process isn’t easy, and it takes much longer than any of us like. We don’t call it the Christian “walk” for nothing.

  So the Christian journey is a lifetime of inching closer to Jesus. Disciples know that this can be frustrating.

• “What is lost by Letting Go of the “Happenedness” of the Gospel?” (dougskinner.wordpress.com)
  We are not beings of pure spirit who exist by entertaining big thoughts and inhabiting the realm of noble ideals.  We are people of flesh and blood who need to eat and sleep, who feel pleasure and pain, who get hungry, cold and sick.
  +
  virtually everything Jesus Christ ever said as reported in the Gospels had been taught by the Hebrew prophets and sages long before Him.  As Paul put it, the Law is “holy, righteous and good” (Romans 7:12).  In other words, long before Jesus came we already had a more than adequate expression of what it was that God expected of us as human beings morally and spiritually.  The Law has been written on both tablets of stone and on the contours of our hearts.  If all it takes for us to get “right” and then to stay “right” with God is information, then by Exodus 20 we should have been set.  We got all the content we ever needed on Sinai.  But my core issue is not intellectual.  Salvation is not a sudden flash of insight, or the discovery of some cosmic truth that organizes my thinking and forever clarifies my understanding.  I’ve got bigger problems than that, much bigger.
• We Have Hope (heartfixxer.wordpress.com)
  Before Jesus Christ there was only death. His resurrection broke the chains of death, and for the first time, infused hope into the world. Sure, everyone has a fear of the unknown. If we compare it to how God loves us, we can be sure heaven is an amazing place to call home. God tells us his thoughts and ways are far beyond our understanding. Like his love, it is far greater than we can comprehend.
• Food for Thought-3 Things to Remember Before Starting a Lenten Bible Study (richardsfoodforthought.com)
  Scripture is sacred because it has been passed down to us as a functioning means of allowing God to speak to us today; not because it originates directly from God.
• A Conversation About The Nature of God (thehardincrowder.wordpress.com)
  Yesterday I had a great conversation with someone about God that I thought was worth writing about briefly. This person was an ex-atheist who had (I assume) recently become a theist. He was on board with the idea of mono-theism, and believed there was a God out there, but he had some problems with the God I worshiped.We talked about morality, the nature of faith, the resurrection of Christ, the ultimate purpose of man, and the problem of evil. It was a great conversation, and we both managed to keep the dialogue respectful. It’s one of the few debates I’ve found myself in where I didn’t feel personally attacked or insulted at the end of it. I wish more debates ended that way.
• No religion (catchjohnfischer.wordpress.com)
  The gospel is such a basic, simple thing. God created human beings in His image. Human beings sinned by disobeying God. God said if you sin you will die, which has proven to be true for every human being who ever lived, including us. But God provided a way out by becoming a human being Himself and dying in our place so that the punishment of sin for the whole human race He created can be met in Christ, and those who place their faith in Him, “though they die, yet shall they live.” That’s it. No more; no less. Anything more than this is religion, and God doesn’t accept it. He is not impressed by our religious activity, whatever it is; He is impressed only by His Son in us, and that comes by faith, not religion.
• Reclaiming Piety (pietistschoolman.com)
  For some, piety connotes an intensely private kind of religiosity that detaches the Christian from concern for this world, leaving them “too heavenly minded to be earthly good.”But probably for more, piety connotes an intensely public kind of religiosity that is likely legalistic, hypocritical, and/or exceedingly emotional. To practice piety, in this view, is to do exactly what Jesus warned against in the Sermon on the Mount: “…whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others” (Mt 6:5, NRSV). To be pious in this way is to be pharisaical, to be “like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth” (Mt 23:27).

Purplerays

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What Should I Preach ?

When preaching we always should keep in mind that we must be worthy workers in the Hand of God willing to bring God His Word to the people and not the words of man. We may find it useful to have help-tools provided by many thinkers, but God’s Word has to stand in the first place.
Using the Bible we have to show our listeners what really is in it and show where human ideas may be wrong according to God His Word.
We ourselves do have to let us be Guided by the Bible itself, which brings answers to our and our listeners many questions.

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To take note:

1. to know what to preach
2. When teaching God’s word begin with prayer
3. preaching and praying go hand in hand
4. if  stick stuck for a topic, open your Bible to any random spot and start reading
5. listen hard
6. let Holy Spirit to bring things to your mind through your heart
7. preach your need
8. think about your own spiritual needs
9. make connection to Christ his offer
10. proclaim of Jesus Christ and him crucified that is Spirit-empowered
11. understand what went before + let others understand what went before
12. explore and show how what you taught previously relates to Christ’s sacrifice for our sins
13. prepare a backup sermon or two just in case something happens in our life => equip you to better respond if a last minute preaching opportunity crops up.

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Additional reading:

1. Obstacles to effective evangelism
2. What English Bible do you use?
3. Words to push and pull
4. Appointed to be read
5. Good or bad preacher
6. Writers needed to preach to non-believers
7. Some one or something to fear #7 Not afraid for Gods Name
8. Depression, Anxiety, Pressure and megachurches
9. Being Religious and Spiritual 8 Spiritual, Mystic and not or well religious
10. Caricaturing and disapproving sceptics, religious critics and figured out ethics
11. Some one or something to fear #3 Cases, folks and outing
12. Accuracy, Word-for-Word Translation Preferred by most Bible Readers
13. The Most Reliable English Bible
14. NWT and what other scholars have to say to its critics
15. The Divine name of the Creator
16. Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
17. Hebrew, Aramaic and Bibletranslation
18. Some Restored Name Versions
19. Anchor Yale Bible
20. The NIV and the Name of God
21. New American Bible Revised Edition
22. Bible translated into Jamaican Creole Patois
23. 2001 Translation an American English Bible
24. Bibletranslation in Lingala
25. The Metaphorical language of the Bible
26. Record breaking preaching in Mount Dora
27. How to Choose a Bible for Preaching

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Related articles

• A true sermon is a real deed. (memoirandremains.wordpress.com)
  For this, therefore, I say that Christ Himself existed not to present us with the supreme spiritual spectacle of history, but to achieve the critical thing in history. The Gospel is an act of God,
  gathered in a point but thrilling through history, and it calls for an act, and inspires it. Its preaching must therefore be an act, a “function” of the great act. A true sermon is a real deed. It puts the preacher’s personality into an act. That is his chief form of Christian life and practice.
• DIG for Friday the 7th of November…..check out the results of a lack of preaching of the true Word of God…..1 Timothy 1 v 5 (heilanword.wordpress.com)
  The opposite of teaching the Gospel of grace is teaching the law (1 Timothy 1 v 6 and 7), and from the previous verses we can see a danger of this.Teaching law (or not the true Gospel for new covenant believers) will results in hypocrisy and a lack of love; that is a powerful truth.

  Paul commands Timothy to ensure that no other doctrine, other than the grace of Jesus, is preached in the church.

  He is that concerned about the preaching of law and other perversions of the Gospel.

• Christ is the centre of our Eucharistic Celebration (linmeyercatholiccommunity.wordpress.com)
  When preaching takes place within the context of the liturgy, it is part of the offering made to the Father and a mediation of the grace which Christ pours out during the celebration. This context demands that preaching should guide the assembly, and the preacher, to a life-changing communion with Christ in the Eucharist.  This means that the words of the preacher must be measured, so that the Lord, more than his minister, will be the centre of attention.
• Hugh’s News & Views (Reading Gleanings . . .) (fellowshiproom.org)
  At no time in history have we needed preachers with clear and confident conviction more than we need them today. Our culture has become tolerant and pluralistic. When preachers absorb this world-view, their preaching becomes mere fluff and insipidness.
• 2 Peter 1:12-21 God’s Word (jimerwin.com)
  “So we have the prophetic word strongly confirmed. You will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dismal place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19, HCSB)
• People Are Watching (revderrickkeeter.wordpress.com)
  “The word “Christian” is both a noun and an adjective. We need more “adjective Christians”, more Christian Christians, who are more Christian in thought and spirit and deed as well as name.”The name “Christian” literally means “like Christ.” Are you a Christian?
• Minimizing the Cross of Jesus Christ (dailybibleplan.com)
  No man or woman can be saved by his or her own deeds.  We are all saved by the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is because of what He did that we can be reconciled with God, not because of anything we can do.
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  When a person thinks that “living right” can secure salvation, that person is essentially saying that Jesus did not have to die, but we know that Jesus opened the door to salvation for us.  When it comes to eternal life, Christ is the only key that fits that lock.
• 19. Daily Bible Verse (12160.info)
  It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
• What If Conservatives Actually Followed The Teachings of Jesus? (mbarnet.wordpress.com)
  Although the Old Testament is filled to the brim with passages of hatred, bigotry, and death, the New Testament features Jesus Christ, a homeless socialist spreading his message of love, generosity, and acceptance. If Jesus were to meet a member of the Republican party today, there’s no doubt he would be horrified at how his message has been distorted and forgotten amongst the most powerful evangelical Christians in the country.
• A Jewish View Of Replacement Theology (lukeford.net)
  I grew up as a Seventh-Day Adventist thinking that Jews, for all intents and purposes, had disappeared, replaced by the Church. I grew up thinking that Christians were the real Jews, the true Jews, God’s Jews and that what the world called Jews were atheist imposters.

Faith That Inspires Action

By Rev. Robert A. Crutchfield

One of the most frequent questions I get especially from new minsters is how do they know what to preach. It can seem daunting at first. A new topic every week for the next several decades of their career. First of all nobody can handle a career’s worth of decisions all at once But I wanted to commit some ideas to paper for those who might find themselves stuck for a sermon topic.

PRAY- I can think of nothing that a minister does that should not begin with prayer anyway. When teaching God’s word we certainly should do so. I know of churches with special facilities just to pray for their pastor while he is preaching. So there is little doubt that preaching and pray go hand in hand.

OPEN YOUR BIBLE- After you have prayed. If you are stick stuck for a topic, open…

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Perishable non theologians daring to go out to preach

Universe exist already a long long time, and it shall continue to exist for a much longer time. Human beings in that universe have a lot of limitations. We are chained by our confinements. We do not like to have restrictions imposed on us and lots of people do think they can do a lot or even do think they can play for god.

We as perishable persons may look around us and either see the beauty of creation or miss it all. What is important that we should come to see the Hand behind everything. All being created in the likeness of the Divine Creator have not their eyes open to see their origin or to understand the ways of life.

For coming to insight it is important that people help each other. We have developed education centres and got printing and other media aids to provide educational material.

Rabbis Lesson with kids (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Some two thousand years ago there was a simple man of flesh and blood in the Jewish community who warned the people around him that they better took account of what the previous rabbis told. The world had got prophets, men send by God, who gave warnings, but not many wanted to listen. With that prophet 2000 years ago it was not much different. He was considered a ‘stand in the way’ and therefore killed. Though making his mouth shut down, did not end his teachings. His disciples continued to go around wherever and whenever they could. They followed a big lesson they had learned from their master rabbi: going out into the world to preach the Good News of the Coming Kingdom of God.

Today Jeshua, as this rabbi was called (today better known as Jesus) is till alive in many hearts. Several people came to see what his death really means for the world. The eternal God, Who cannot die, told the world that there in the river Jordan was standing “His only beloved son“, given to the world to bring salvation. By the Grace of God, Jeshua his offering of his body is accepted as a ransom for us all.

But the story may not end there. The master teacher who had only a very short public life of three very active years, has asked his followers to continue in his footsteps. And there seems to lie a big problem. Not many do want to go out and preach in the name of Jesus.

Today it does not seem to be very much different than in the times of Jeshua. There are loads of discussions about the position of the Torah on issues that are out of date with our modern sensitivities. There are people who also come to see that there might be rituals which are supposedly similar to pagan festivals of the time. The reason for this is that often it were people who liked so much certain attitudes that they took over certain attitudes and feasts. But we always should consider if they would be something God would like to see.

It becomes more and more important to get to know what the Divine Creator really wants from us and what His Plans are. the task Jesus has given to his disciples has become more vital. It should be an essential part of the life of a follower of Christ (a Christian). Being Christian should mean that you are prepared to follow Christ his teachings and are willing to live according his rules (The Law of Christ)

Coming together, exhorting each other and preaching the gospel should be the core-business of a Christian.

Some may be convinced that a religion has to give to the people what they want to find, not having to change too much their life. Lots of people want that they get something familiar to hold onto? Perhaps they could call it “God modelled” “His new religion” after existing practices.

There is an established principal in Jewish thought (and a logical one as well) that “The Torah speaks in the language of man.” Among other things, this means that the Torah speaks in the context of the time in which it was given and in a way that is appropriate for the people of the time. Many of the commentators write that God had to gradually wean a pagan slave population off of it’s pagan ritual and belief system. It would not be effective for God to create brand new rituals that have no meaning for the worshipers. To give a silly example, if God were to create a brand new religion now, he would not create one where worship of God is done by standing on one’s head 5 times a day.{Why are some Jewish rituals similar to Pagan rituals?}

People have to come to understand it is not God Who has to adapt to them but that they have to come closer to God knowing Him and following up what God wants us to do.

To get to know what God really wants from us, we best look into what He has given the world to get to know Him better. God has given His Word for all mankind to find Who He is, what He wants and what we can do to come to Him and to become Children of God.

People write history or similar for a reason; what someone did may not be as important for their memory as what someone later needed to do with it. Jeshua his followers had their own worldly job, but they knew how urgently needed was their preaching, telling others about the works of their master teacher. Whether or not all these who tried to bring the gospel to others were really talented orators we probably can’t tell. In a certain way it does not really matters. What matters is that they got the message across.

Also today, you may perhaps not be so eloquent, or not so good in many languages, but you should know you too can have a story to tell. Everybody can help to contribute getting the news of the coming Kingdom spreading all over the world.

Many may think it is sufficient when they preach in their own church. For them it is sufficient (they think) to give exhortations to their own church or ecclesia members. Many may find the opportunity to stand in front of congregations and crowds many times. How many time do they think about the responsibility they bear? Though may shall have the hope some of the people in the congregation will hear their voice and carry the thought with them to ponder.

But we do not have to preach for those who already believe. We do need preachers for those who do not yet know the truth. Those who do not know the importance of Christ yet, should come to know it. We need announcers of the Good News, not a bellman for the own flock or to bring just recreational or bad news, like the journal offers it every day over and over again.

It is true others may not understand the energy it takes to get up in front of others to proclaim God’s word and lots of people would call it a silly activity. But it is not what the worlds find interesting to do what we should do. The love of the world is not for the Holy Word. People are not interested in God, His Plans or His world. Though they should know it really matters to know Him.

Importance of coming together to study the Word of God – Bible time at Shunem

Those who love God should not be afraid to come out for it. They should also trust Him, what He can do with them is they are willing to go to others to tell about Him and His son. They shall be surprised to come to feel the Hand of God in what they do, when they try to do it honestly. They can be surprised to feel how God can guide them and how God is willing to give His Power and presence in a mighty way. Often we shall be amazed at the insight He gives, the words He brings, the abilities we recognize, not because of our skills, but because of God’s power and presence within us.

Today time seems to be spares for everybody. Pastors and everybody else are busy.

They hardly have time to prepare their sermons every week while at the same time visiting, counseling, planning, fixing, etc. Ask most pastors what good theology books they’ve read recently and you’ll be greeted by blank stares. {The Value of Systematic Theology to Pastors}

How many can, or better said, are willing to take time to come to study the Bible and to share their findings with others? How many are willing to come to a God-centered search and preaching?

In certain churches the priest may have the idea that:

Pastors who do not study theology tend to preach atheological sermons. They may be able to atomistically expound a text, but they will have difficulty connecting the text to the grand redemptive truths that give the texts weighty significance. {The Value of Systematic Theology to Pastors}

but they forget that the essence is all in the Word of God and can be found when really looking in that word, not having to have had theological studies in universities. God Himself has provided everything in His Word to be found by every man, educated and non-educated. Man does not need a theological study to come to understand God His Word. They also do not a university tittle to go out preaching the gospel. Jesus nor his followers, except Luke and Paul, got high degrees or were known scholars. common people in the first century of Christianity took care that the word spread and that it could reach lots of people, from child, slave, uneducated up to educated people. Many came to know the truth by simple people who took their time to spread the news.

Mark Farnham may think

Van Til saw a definite connection between the study of systematic theology and the ability to preach the whole counsel of God. If a pastor is not well-versed in theology, he may shy away from Scriptures that his flock needs for growth in grace. Or worse, he may shy away from Scriptures his flock needs for spiritual and doctrinal protection.{The Value of Systematic Theology to Pastors}

He also writes:

Many people believe that the basis and source of defending the faith is different than that of knowing the faith. That is, they believe that we do systematic theology by appealing to the Scriptures, and we defend our faith by appealing to reason or philosophy (since unbelievers don’t accept the Bible as the Word of God). {The Value of Systematic Theology for Defending the Faith}

Without being in the faith a person can not come over convincingly. The faith has to be in the veins and the spirit. When the person is wiling to give him or herself to the Words of God, those Words can feed him or her. It is in the Word of God that The Truth can be found and not in the words of human beings. Jesus wanted us to share that truth which we can find.

The distinctive of the presuppositional (or transcendental) approach to apologetics developed most extensively by Cornelius Van Til is its demand that Scripture be the starting point for all human knowledge, and that it be maintained as such in a believer’s defense of the faith against attacks by unbelievers.The best apologetic defense will invariably be made by him who knows the system of truth of Scripture best. The fight between Christianity and non-Christianity is, in modern times, no piece-meal affair. It is the life-and-death struggle between two mutually opposed life-and-world views

Both seem to forget the Power of God, the Holy Spirit, Who is the One Who has to guide the speaker or preacher.  It is not as they say that

He who has not been trained in systematic theology will often be at a loss as to how to meet these attacks.

It probably shall not be easy, that’s sure, but that we can see by theologians as well when they are brought down their pied de stall.

Van Till and Mark Farnham think

He may be quite proficient in warding off the attack as far as details are concerned, but he will forever have to be afraid of new attacks as long as he has never removed the foundation from the enemy’s position.

Those who go around telling about the prophets, Christ and the One who send all these men, should not consider the others as the enemy. Even when they may go in the position of attack, the one willing to preach for God shall be able to trust Him and would not have to worry man.

All those who come along and hear the words of the one who wants to preach in the name of God can either stop to listen or continue their way. Nobody should remain. Nobody is expected to take everything for what and how it is said. The preacher when he does not find the ground fertile, finds no one to listen can and shall continue his or her way to go further trying to reach people who are willing to listen and who are willing to investigate and to take the Word of God to compare with what is said.

Van Til starts stepping on toes:

The church will have to return to its erstwhile emphasis upon its teaching function if it is to fulfill its God-given task of bringing the gospel to all men. Its present recourse to jerky evangelism as almost the only method of propaganda is itself an admission of paupery…Revivalists ought to make themselves unnecessary as quickly as possible.

Reformed apologist and churchman Cornelius van Til preaching on the street

We only can hope Van Til was pleading for a return to a comprehensive instruction in sound doctrine, (what he and other  theologians may understand by that?) that would provide the foundation for both a deep and strong faith, and a solid foundation for a robust defence of the faith against attacks.

We are convinced that regular Bible reading (perhaps according to a strategic plan) is the right foundation for successful Bible study. And the principles of accurate interpretation will take that Bible study to the next level of spiritual blessing and benefit. Each person willing to get to know God and His works shall find the answers to his and others questions by reading God’s Word. True biblical sermons or exhortations don’t drive the biblical text, they are driven by the biblical text. Scripture speaks for itself.

But preaching is not all about giving sermons or exhortations it is also by showing your heart to others and letting others feel how vibrant the Word of God makes you. Feeling humbled by the privilege to study Scripture and teaching it to others we should love seeing God working out and confirming His calling on others, having us nearby them to give them our hand to go together on the path of God.

We should not be afraid to go out in the world to tell others what we do believe about the Creator and His son.

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Find also to read:

1. More Muslim children than Christian children growing up in our cities
2. Catholicism, Anabaptism and Crisis of Christianity
3. Trying to get the youth inspired
4. Looking for True Spirituality 7 Preaching of the Good News
5. People Seeking for God 2 Human interpretations
6. Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #6 Words to feed and communicate
7. Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation
8. Preaching to an unbelieving world
9. How should we preach?
10. Our way of life
11. Attackers silenced freedom of speech
12. Minimizing the power of God’s Force the Holy Spirit
13. Van Til interacting with Bavinck and Calvin on Natural Theology
14. Jehovah’s Witnesses not only group that preach the good news
15. Belonging to or being judged by
16. Holland Week of billing
17. Trying to get the youth inspired
18. When discouraged facing opposition
19. A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
20. Atonement And Fellowship 4/8
21. The Involvement of true discipleship
22. Testify of the things heard
23. Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation
24. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #2 Witnessing
25. A Voice to be heard
26. Creator and Blogger God 4 Expounding voice
27. Blogging for Jesus…
28. Our openness to being approachable
29. Preaching to an unbelieving world
30. Words to push and pull
31. Good or bad preacher
32. Learn how to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News of the coming Kingdom
33. How should we preach?
34. Breathing and growing with no heir
35. Breathing to teach
36. Bringing Good News into the world
37. Reasons to come together
38. Missionary action paradigm for all endeavours of the church
39. Many forgot how Christ should be our anchor and our focus

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Find additional literature:

1. Why are some Jewish rituals similar to Pagan rituals?
2. Messages will be spoken! (Micah 3:8)
3. The Value of Systematic Theology for Defending the Faith
4. The Value of Systematic Theology to Pastors
5. Common Interpretive Pitfalls
6. Seminar CXLIX: the importance of being eloquent in the Italian Church
7. Van Til the Evangelist
8. Van Til the Street Preacher
9. Jehovah’s Message
10. Following Jesus’ Footsteps
11. The Good News of God’s Kingdom
12. Thoughts concerning the preacher
13. On Preaching “To the Men”
14. Expository preaching – friend or foe?
15. How to Spread the Gospel
16. 4 Principles for Collaborative Preaching
17. 6 Ways to Your Teacher’s Heart
18. Preaching is a two-way street
19. How to Get More Out of the Preached Word of God
20. What do you need…?
21. Preach It, Sister!
22. Community Houses are Better than Church Buildings

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