“God, can You speak to me about this?

Do pain and hardship accomplish what nothing else can? In other words, we shouldn’t be surprised by it?

God answered.

I’d been reading in Acts and just picked up where I left off. I was struck by the harshness of Paul’s words. They describe the heart and mind of a persecutor.

Check these out:

“convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 26:10)

“I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.” (V.11)

“I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.” (V.11)

We are so offended! We can’t believe people are so bent on evil; so DETERMINED to SILENCE us.

I suppose persecution ebbs and flows, but it IS our history. I close with Robison’s words from yesterday, and James’ words which agree.

“The church has grown more through persecution and poverty than in prosperity.”

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverence. Let perseverence finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV

I have grown in perseverence—-through pain and poverty. I whined, blamed, and cried my way through, but I’m a different person; more at peace, more believing God’s love. And I am . . .

ForeverGrowing,

Lonnie

“The sad fact is, many people—-including Christians—-have not handled blessings and prosperity well. The church has grown in character and strength more through persecution and poverty than in prosperity.” (James Robison,The Stream– p.180/Worthy Publishing 2016)

Change the channel!

Turn the page!

Isn’t that what we do when we don’t like what we’re seeing or hearing? I have to tell you, that’s what I wanted to do. Robison believes, though, that persecution and poverty are not God’s perfect will. I absolutely believe that God does not delight in our pain,

But

I pen-prayed in my journal: “I don’t want to admit it, but I suspect pain and hardship accomplish things that nothing else can. Can you speak to me about this, God?“

I am determined to keep posts relatively short. I don’t have time to read longer blogs (tho I do sometimes) and I suspect others don’t either. So, ponder Robison’s words; pray about them. Share your thoughts and check in again later.

EverGrowing,

Lonnie

“Practice of making decisions or foretelling the future by reading signs and omens.”

Fred Smith/Holman Bible Dictionary p. 433

What took me here?

This phrase from Acts 13: “Elymas the sorcerer . . . tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.”

Paul writes that the proconsul (governor) was an intelligent man. He sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.

“But Elymus, the sorcerer . . . opposed them and “tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.”

Two things struck me:

Sorcery, often tagged as innocent fun, is hardly that.

and

The warfare for men’s souls.

” Such practices . . . Are condemned . . . because the source is often demonic and practitioners are trying to circumvent God to find guidance for the future. Christians should heed the biblical instructions against astrology, fortune-telling and mediums.” (Fred Smith/Holman Dictionary of the Bible)

I used to read horoscopes, had my tea leaves read, and used Quija boards–always saying that I didn’t really believe them. Not true. Not honest. If I didn’t believe them, why was my mood changed by what they said? Later, becoming Christian, I confessed them as sin and determined never to go there again. (Repentance) That being said, the temptation crops up once in a while — not for horoscopes, but perhaps being tempted to chase after Christians known to have a gift of prophesy or words of knowledge. Behind the temptation is fear of the future, or hope–wanting to know God’s plan before I really need to know. With both, I have come to respond this way:

God, whatever is ahead, I can do it WITH YOU. You and I can do it, TOGETHER.

I need to remind myself of that, even today. How about you?

EverGrowing–Ever Dependent, On Jesus,

Lonnie

““If Scripture tells us anything, it tells us that God tends to call people who are

too young,

too old,

too timid,

too inexperienced, or

too immoral.

God seems to take delight in calling people who are inadequate for the task and almost certain to fail . . .

‘You are, in fact, unqualified. But never forget that I am able.'”

Nik Ripken/ The Insanity of Sacrifice–Nook page 271

I don’t know about you, but I’m encouraged. I am not TOO old, not TOO timid, (not TOO introverted), and I am not TOO inexperienced. I am not TOO un-prosperous nor TOO boring, busy, or bad.

I AM called! So are you!

By the Creator of the universe!

EverGrowing,

Lonnie

“The praying life feels like dinner with friends.”

Paul E. Miller/ The Praying Life p. 19 (NavPress 2009)

It’s been eons since I’ve blogged–long enough that I have to relearn. Life now affords me some free time. I look forward to writing blogs again; and in finding encouragement from other bloggers.

I’ve read plenty of books on prayer. Each time I’m tempted to buy another, I kick myself with the words, “Just do it! The learning is in the doing.”

But shoot! This book was $2.

And I’m learning through someone else’s struggles and failures, rather than from a master. I’ve learned a great deal from other books, but I guess I needed someone who understood.

Like Dinner With Friends.

I like that. And, I understand better than I would have decades ago. For one, I’ve gained some incredible friends in that time; friends who listen and who make themselves vulnerable by sharing their own struggles, and successes.

I have learned to be a little more real with God. He knows anyway. Right? He sees my doubts, frustrations, unforgiveness and ugly words. We work it out together.

How, for you, is prayer like feasting with friends?

How is it different?

Let’s grow together.

Lonnie

““Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely (Psalm 139:4 NIV).

“You Christians don’t look like you have any fun. I like to drink. I like to smoke. I like to tell jokes.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Mike said. “If you have things in your life God doesn’t like, he’ll let you know. What God wants is your heart.”

Greg and Lynn McDonald w/ Beth Jusino

Embracing The Journey: A Christians’ Blueprint For LovingYour LGBTQ Child

(p. 37/Nook)

Howard Books

Hmmmm. Do WE trust God with the aftercare? Or do we worry that people won’t recognize their sin and we HAVE to tell them? God may lead us to do so but He is more than capable.”

I do, however, see a difference between telling someone that they can’t and that I can’t. I came to a relationship with Jesus right smack in the middle of a dating relationship. “Want to go for a drink,” he asked. “Sure, if you don’t mind if I drink a cola.”

Though he was ok with that, it was an assumption of God’s will and an immature answer. Later, circumstances led me to a lifetime conviction of no alcohol. If God desires that conviction, or any other, for you, He will let you know.

I Still Love April Fool’s Jokes,

lonnie

“Ben was a champion of personal discipline, good citizenship, and charitable deeds. That was exactly what he saw in the behavior of Philadelphians, as more and more of them experienced the ‘new birth’ that Whitefield was promoting.”

Randy Petersen; The Printer and the Preacher p. 4; Nelson Books 2015

Evangelist George Whitefield and philosopher Benjamin Franklin were good friends for decades; and yet they didn’t agree on faith issues. YET, (and I love this!) Benjamin saw the fruits of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; the fruits of the Spirit. It’s unknown whether Frankin ever came to a saving faith, but he certainly didn’t lack opportunity.

I love seeing God in the pages of history!

lonnie

“There is much to condemn about the methods of these early missionary enterprises in America.

“In general, there was too much conflation of God’s ways with European culture and a wanton disregard for the welfare of the native population. But we must not ignore the fact that the settling of America was a religious mission as much as it was a business opportunity.

“It was also a quest for religious freedom.”

Randy Petersen, The Printer and the Preacher, Nelson Books 2015 (p. 13-14)

I am weary of sorting history like we sort laundry . . . or is it more like recycling? What we find useful (for our cause) we keep. What doesn’t fit the blame and shame picture we want to portray, we disgard. History includes some awful mistakes, some so evil and more intentional than we want to admit. But history holds a lot of good and inspiration; some really ugly people and some we owe a great debt to.

I disagree with taking down monuments or erasing names of less honorable events or people. In my thinking, without the reminders, we may miss the warning signs of slavery or genocide happening again. By seeing reminders of a war that not only divided our nation, but our families too, maybe we can keep it from happening again.

I will acknowledge the wrong.

Please allow me to celebrate the good, as well; particularly the freedoms unique to America.

I’m proud to be an American.

Many are still flocking to our shores–some with far from honorable reasons–but many because they anticipate a better future. Can we be both welcoming and wise? I certainly hope so. But honestly, we need the voice of both sides to reach that balance.

I am thankful to the men and women who created our history, and for those who are, now, growing our history.

lonnie

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord . . . (Psalm 33:12 NIV”

Jason Benham (pro baseball player) was asked, only minutes before the game, to address a stadium packed with students and parents. The marketing assistant wanted him to encourage the young people to fully engage in studying and reading.

Apparently, known for his faith, Jason was told there “wasn’t enough time to preach a sermon or anything.” Jason didn’t want to share a message they’d soon forget; but he only had about 60 Seconds.

He prayed for wisdom and stepped forward.

“I’ve heard it said that the most important things in life are the people you meet and the books you read. Well, I’m here to tell you that the best book I’ve ever read is the Holy Bible and the best person I’ve ever met is Jesus Christ. He’s changed my life, and He’ll change yours, too, if you commit to studying His book.”

THE CROWD ERUPTED IN APPLAUSE.

PEOPLE WERE WHISTLING, AND PARENTS WERE YELLING, ‘WAY TO GO!’ . . .

as if they were saying, ‘Finally! Someone just said it!'”

All-caps are mine, ’cause I wish I’d been there!

I’m sure I would have yelled louder than anyone else.

Even though Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear/ timidity, we often prepare ourselves for the sneers, arguments, and insults each time we mention our faith, prayer, or the name of Jesus.

But,

Just Maybe,

we wouldn’t see sneers, but hear cheers. Shall we step up, step out . . . And see?

lonnie

David and Jason Benham

“Living Among Lions” p. 195-6; Word Publishing 2016

What kind of picture does your mind’s eye see when you read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10?: “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

I see myself chasing a butterfly with a flimsy net. Want to know how successful I’ve been? Not very.

But I like the Benham brothers’ take on that Scripture. They make it practical enough to practice — which, of course, is Paul’s/God’s intention. Try these on for size. Do they help you?

“Take captive every thought, not allowing it to make itself at home in our minds . . .” (p. 159)

Or

“Take every thought captive–to kill the seed before the sprouting of the weed.” (p. 160)

Though I’m as far as you can get from possessing football knowledge, I know that intercepting the other team’s pass and running it toward your goal is an opportunity each team looks for. I imagine myself reaching up to capture an unforgiving, impure, or deceptive thought and changing it’s direction to one that will please Jesus; one that would line up with His Word.

Or I could imagine doing quality control as a conveyer belt drives fruit down the line. Galatians 5:22 and Philippians 4:8 serve as my guide. When jealousy and selfishness come down the line, I grab them quickly and discard them. When fruits of truth, gentleness, and patience come down the line, I know they will serve the Body well and I let them go to do just that.

One thing I know is that I can’t do this myself. I need God’s help, and because He cares for my health and that of the Body, He is more than willing.

Ever Dependent–Ever Growing,

lonnie