Now What?

A few weeks ago my wife was robbed while coming out of grocery store. She was unloading her groceries from her basket into the car and another car pulled up slowly and close. Dana moved her basket a little and an arm stuck out of her car, grabbed her purse and sped off. The police came and took Dana's statement - got the license number from Dana - and then nothing came of it. Three weeks later the thief was arrested in another town while doing the same thing. The lady was brought back to College Station later for trial. While in jail awaiting her outcome this lady was baptized into Christ by a man who attends our congregation....Now What? The challenge is to see this woman in a new light - she is now a sister in Christ - so what about forgiveness from the Groves? God has made her right with himself so now she is right with us. Both glorious and challenging. What God has done for us he has done for another. Just how great is that!

EXACTLY CONTINUED

Folks - there is something wrong with my blog cite - sometimes I cannot post and the last time it only posted part of my blog - the end of EXACTLY is that WHEW! we do not have to be exact - our job is to trust in God and live like the tells us to live - I hope this last part makes it - wish me luck Foree

EXACTLY!

So just how right do we have to get it to be right with God? There is bible study and interpretation, prayer (unceasing), communion (in the right manner), singing (from the heart not just the memory), church attendance (mandatory if the elders demand), benevolence (even when we think people are just taking advantage), whew! Then there is the "Greatest Command" and added to that is that we have to love even our enemies - and if we only love those who love us we have not accomplished anything - everyone does that! THEN there is the moral demand of God "be perfect as I am perfect" and beyond that is the heart matter. It is not enough in the NT just to commit adultery you cannot even lust or take a second look (and the way women dress that is real hard not to do...). What about evangelism - remember the sermon "you cannot go to heaven alone" and the song "You Never Mentioned Him To Me?" And what about if you have committed the BIG sins: adultery, divorce,

Here Again

This blogging remind me of my walk with God. I sense the need to take a moment and write - for my own good and remembrance. Yet - the days go by and being busy with life taking the time becomes a question of taking the time to do it...then I return and write again...and when I do I am benefited...
God is present, waiting, hoping, providing for our time with him. He watches us do our things in this life he gave us...he waits...we continue on, consumed with many good things...the Father waits...then at some moment we return perhaps in prayer or reading or a moment in church as if to say "I'M BACK!...those are the moments when God is right there- open arms - warm heart - willing - able - ready....
I am so happy to have Him, my father, "Abba" - he is patient and I am glad - Foree

SING IT

Some of my most vivid memories are of songs and singers. At home we would gather with our family or family and friends - usually after a meal - and we would sing. Our church had picnics in the mountains (I was raised in northern New Mexico) and after the burgers were eaten we would sing. At church camp we sang. Youth devotionals included singing. "Singing" has a ring when you say it. The word itself is melodious. The writers of songs are not inspired but their words put to music are often as close to the inspired message as one can get.
Take a moment and remember a song - When Peace Like A River - or Listen To My Heart - whatver song your might choose and start singing. As you sing think and feel the message the words deliver and consider how the music itself prompts relfection and emotion, feeling and thought. It is an amazing thing TO SING. As Darryl Tippen wrote in THAT'S WHY WE SING; Sing, Sing, Sing - it is an amazing moment which thrills the soul and transports us right into the heavenly throne room. Give it a try and watch the blues or the worries or the dread mealt away - Sing And Be Happy - sing and the happiness comes. Foree

Wine

I am not sure about the making of wine and just what all goes into the process. I am sure that I have some doubts about people who say "I can taste the berry" or "this is kind of frutty" or "musky" etc... But I just do not know about the making...I know it does not happen by itself. Grape juice left in a bottle will not end up a fine Merlot with lots of "body." Wine has to be made - that is why Jesus' miracle in John 2 was a miracle...
Relationships, like wine, have to be made. Men and women cannot just fall into marriage - it has to be done, made, produced. Friendship does not work well when the relationship is taken for granted...Spirituality, relationship with God, is a process, begun like marriage with a commitment, but constructed by a way of life. Faith begins very simply, it is belief in God. As time goes by and belief deepens through experience, prayer, trial and personal encounter with God's Spirit it is deepened and this trusting, dependant relationship emerges. So, life is a dynamic encounter with God in which personal commitment crosses with God's care. The result is a fine, full bodied, tasty and enjoyable experience. Like wine, spirituality is made....it comes out of process and it is fine.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

What would happen if we opened up to God with no , I mean no reservations?
When I found Dana she was IT! It did not matter we only had a few dates over a few months period of time. It did not matter my folks were scared because she came out of the blue. It did not matter I had no money for a ring or that everything was not lined up just right....it did not matter that our engagement was not long enough...she was it and that was that....it was a love struck young man knowing he found her and nothing else mattered - no reason in the world would ahve kept me away...this was IT! I did not wonder how I knew - I did not seek advice - I did not
What if we took God like that...no "ifs" "ands" "buts" just okay here I am, take me, change me, guide me, use me....I am here to do your will O God.....
What a life we would have...just open up to God without reservation and trust him to do with us what he wills...what a life we would have...