Consider This?

This is not a usual post that I put up. This is a consider this, which is usually a post that I put up when things in my personal life weigh heavily on my mind. However, this post is not negative in inference or tone. I just feel that I need to share what I perceive around me in relation to the activity of God.
I have seen God, at work, in people's lives. At our church recently, I have seen people respond to God in an attempt to better their lives. What a wonderful decision. Specifically, I have noticed that many of our sermons lately have been centered on worry, perseverance, and hope. Now, these have not been specifically taught on, except for worry, but they have been very evident in each sermon and Sunday School Class meeting. I think it is obvious that God has a real message for our church body. BTW, I got to Wake Cross Roads if anybody is interested.
Also, in the blogosphere of people I know, there has been a great desire for people to have perseverance. Let me be candid, things in this world right now are not great. As a matter of fact, they are scary, burdensome, and downright cumbersome. There is no hope, no future, no money or fame that can make these problems go away, that are provided in the world. If you take a moment to look at how miserable the world is, maybe it will help you to understand how better off you are, if your a Chrsitian. Aren't you glad that in the future, you won't have to worry about that. And, even now, you don't have to worry needlessly. Did not Christ say that he will provide all our needs. Amen or Oh me!
Nevertheless, perseverance is a spiritual character trait, and it isn't built over night. I empathize with your struggles. I know many of you right now who are paddling in the seas of uncertainity. That's ok though, where there is no certainity, there can be faith upon the bedrock of the promises of God. Stay grounded in the Word, and you will weather the storm.
I understand the struggles around us as people of America. The economy is disastrous and a persons lifestyle exceeds their paycheck. Our morality is compromised because every image we see is of tight spandex, 12 pack abs, and dish-towels that became tank tops over night. Our faith is lacking because we just seem to do those things we don't want to do while we continue not doing the things we ought to do! BUT REMEMBER, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO QUIT. THIS TOO SHALL PASS (as my wife likes to inform me of).
So, in retrospect, all I wanted to do was vent a little here, encourage a little there, and get a laugh or two from whoever may be reading this. Listen to me, brothers and sisters, now is not the time to be idle. Now is not the time to be scared. Now is the time to be thoughtful, wise, discreet, and holy in conduct and conversation. Of course, these things are always to be desired, but with the way the world is right now, especially in our country, people could do with seeing a little genuine Christainity actually lived out, and not just lied about. So, be real today. Persevere. Remember, God is still in control.
Think on That!

Searching the Seat of Suffering II

I have been thinking lately about the various forms of suffering. Now, the idea of suffering seems to infer great anguish or pain. It appears, though, that many people suffer from psychological pain and turmoil. Now, I do not mean to suggest these people are clinically insane, but they are mentally and spiritually in distress.
It is my purpose just to think through his issue. Suffering seems to me to be something that is like a weight that drags you to the bottom of the ocean. It is an anchor that is tied to your leg, pulling you down. However, it also connects greatly with your perspective. If you keep focusing on the anchor, you will probably never see or hear the helicopters and rescue boats that are searching the waterways looking for you. Because, most people who suffer have someone there to help them, albeit they just need to be looking in the right direction. However, this would really relate to those people who are dealing with usual stress symptoms from places like work, school, home, etc.... I would never dream of Saying that someone truly suffering through raw physical abuse, torture, or cruel disease would always have a form of help. To seem to say so would seem to be cruel to me.
I guess what burdens me the most is seeing people who suffer and knowing that they can overcome their pain, but with plenty of time, hard work, and commitment. Unfortunately, most people would opt for psychiatric therapy and happy pills from the bottle. How sad, it seems, to enslave yourself to a false form of happiness instead of feeling the true joys of deliverance. I guess some people feel that honest request fro help infers individual weakness. To that idea, I say how sad.
Think on That!