Note to reader: This two-way journaling entry is about some of my honest challenges as a mother of two amazing, brilliant, beautiful sons who I adore. My boys are 8 and 5 ½ years old. I homeschool, but I believe what the Lord spoke to me is truth that will encourage all parents.
The Psalmist desired to behold the beauty of the Lord. Is this something you desire as well, or are you uncomfortable with the concept? You live in a culture with a false sense of beauty, based on unattainable images and associated with sensual lust. Yet this is only the counterfeit of the true beauty that I possess and impart a measure of to each of my children. Fixation on the superficial beauty will interfere with your ability to see true beauty just as fixation on the wealth of this world will hinder your ability to seek true wealth. I want you to delight to see my beauty and the beauty of my presence in your brothers and sisters.
Do you take the Great Commission seriously, to preach the gospel to every creature? This is to populate heaven with redeemed souls. Are you serious about supporting the work of the gospel financially? This is also commendable, but you can’t buy souls. However you can support those who work in the field of harvest. When you give into ministry, what do you expect the money to be used for? Does it seem mundane for those who receive it to spend it on food and clothing and transportation? Yet what else should it be spent for? There is no higher purpose for the money given to my work.
Are you diligent to avoid boredom? Some people see this as an intolerable condition, and seek incessantly for external stimulation. Now you have portable communication devices to fill this need. Yet my people need never be bored, for my Kingdom is within them. I am present within them and give them an inner life which is always available, a place of revelation and abiding communion. This is a permanent cure for boredom, but you must seek and cultivate it. Do you understand that the distractions and cares of this world can interfere with this inner spiritual life? Are you as concerned about neglecting your life in me as you are with avoiding boredom?
Do you see sinners as being inherently evil or as victims of the evil one who has taken them captive? Both points of view can be argued, but you are not to approach this as a disinterested dispassionate observer. I came to redeem the lost. I gave you the Great Commission that you may be an agent in reaching the lost with my message. Which of the views above is more consistent with effective efforts in this task? Are you going to put much effort into reaching those who would get what they deserved? Yet if you take part in the rescue of a hostage you are a hero. Come and join me in my work of setting the captives free.
"The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren, and this great nation is crucial. As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last. I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God."
Have you ever seen a show-off? They have something that you don’t have, in the form of skills or knowledge or even material possessions they want to put on visible display to elevate themselves above you. Who would be better positioned to be a show-off than me? For I could heal the sick and raise the dead. I commanded the forces of nature and fed multitudes from one small lunch. Yet I did not do these things to show off. I did not do them to separate myself from those who observed, but to provide an example for them to follow. I expected my followers to feed multitudes themselves after I showed them how. I was delighted when they followed me, and I am delighted when you do too.
I found this video on Facebook. This can be a controversial subject, but I thought Mark Brown's analysis was good and wanted to share it with you. Food for thought.
