RANDOM THOUGHTS NOT IN ANY ORDER, PART ONE

GOD LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT

Last night was finally a moderate night and I took the opportunity to just sit outside and gaze at the stars which brought up a passage from the bible I recalled about the signs from the heavens. I scanned the night time skies and didn't see any thing out of order.

However, it did bring back memories of dreams I have occasionally where I am looking up at the heavens and noted unusual activity. In this dream I am seeing what looks like stars dancing across the night time sky in no set pattern. I don't feel fear but joy. It is as if I am told not to fear these lights but to rejoice for it is now time for the prophesy to be fulfilled. That is as far as I get with the dream.

I lately have learned that some time in 2012 there will be a possible super nova explosion in the heavens that will appear as if we will have two suns for a short time. Kind of like when the birth of Jesus happened and the wise men and shepherds were led to His birth place by a star. When and where it will happen I have no idea. Can't find where I read this.

I have watched the recent devastation in Japan with interest and horror which brought up recalling prophesy about destruction in the end times. The earth will shake and tremble, seas will over flow their banks and engulf the land, and fire will fall from the skies. If you think about the disasters that have happened in the last few years around the world, it might point to the beginning of the prophesy recorded in the bible. Then you have the civil unrest in the middle east area. You add all this up and what can one surmise these events mean?

Part two to follow

RANDOM THOUGHTS BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR SPONSORS

A few years ago we grew tired of the 4 local channels we were able to get for free in our town. We decided to check out the new Satellite TV offers being advertised every where for only $29.99. You had sports channels of all sorts, science channels, history channels, science fiction channels, and some movie with older releases channels. No more visits to the Block Buster video store. Wow what a deal! Over 225 channels of continuous programming 24/7 with only a few commercials. Hey they even offered premium channels for only $4.99 extra with out any commercials ( movie channels with the latest movies fresh out of Hollywood.) They even offered several Christian program channels that hawked sending in donations to keep their ministry on the air. We even had Jimmy and Tammy Faye Baker programming. This was hog heaven and we bought it.

Over the years the Satellite TV service even added more channels as well as offering your own local channels on satellite TV for only $10.00 more. That was a deal to pay for local channels that were free on rabbit ears before. Naturally we bought that deal. It was worth it? More Movie channels were added but that was OK even at $11.00 a channel. Now comes the HD TV programming and we bought a new HD TV to go with the new HD receiver that was only $15.00 a month more for the HD service. Yep. We were set now. It don't get any better that this.

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So now we were up to $150.00 a month for satellite TV service and more channels than we can watch in a life time. Hey they now even got Playboy channels too but that cost a little extra if you are into that. The premium movie channels now play movies that I never heard of and still tout them a the latest releases from Hollywood. Which Hollywood are the referring too? Now we have also pay per view channels which runs from $5.00 to $60.00 if you want to watch Wrestle mania live and some sports events. That is Ok though. We even got channels that now try to sell you goods 24/7 at inflated prices ( HSN, QVC, and the MSNBC channel) No commercials there though.

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Of course all this programming cost money to operate so the satellite company sells out commercial time to companies to hawk their products like Viatalia enhancer for a better libido, Lightening 4 G network, Shellack oil to make your car run smoother. That is fine. I can understand the need to keep the company profitable. Usually if a commercial in on one channel I will flip over to another program to watch while the commercial is on the previous channel. The satellite company must be able to monitor what you watch. Doing what I mentioned above must be a sin now in their eyes. If I am on one channel and a commercial comes on when I now switch, I will find another channel with the same commercial on at the same time. Flip to another channel and you have commercials. I wonder how they do that?

OK I am still understanding the company needs money to stay profitable. That is cool. Now I am noticing the programs that can be shown in 30 minutes takes an hour to show due to the company trying to make money in order to present their programs. Uh Wait a minute! I am being deluged with 30 minutes of mindless commercials all at the same time for a 30 minute program that takes 1 hour to show. Now I am forgetting what I am watching due to all the commercials.

Let me get this straight. I am paying $150.00 a month for programming 24/7 that half that time are only commercials .Something is not adding up here. The satellite company also is now showing the same programs over and over again for weeks at a time. We have lost the freshness of new topics coming on weekly. But don't forget next week Wrestle Mania comes on pay per view with the Royal Rumble No Holds Bared Match. Only $75.00 for a limited time.

Oh well, there is always books and magazines to read once you tear out all the commercial tabs stuck in them. Another option is the Holy Bible. You can find historical facts, military actions, faith healing, Stories of miraculous happenings, songs, words of great prophets, and the actual words of Jesus our saviour among other interesting happenings. Did I mention there are no commercials?

OK, SO NOW WHAT?

GOD LOVES YOU NO MATTER WHAT!

If you have followed my prior post you will notice I seem to be wandering around in a proverbial desert trying to figure out where my direction in faith is leading me and actually where I fit in. So far I have experienced people seeking out God and Christ for answers, praying for a healing, and seeking salvation. I think if I would only listen more for His words, things might be a little easier but then again, that would be too easy for this sinful flesh.

I think we all make things too complicated in dealing with hearing God when all we have to do is listen for His words. Now that takes time and has a learning curve in it. There in lies the catch. It is a learning curve. First we must do as the father does. Love and show compassion for others. Be forgiving to those that have hurt you ( now that is a tough one for some) and carry not any grudges. No one is perfect ( well except for God and Jesus). A frequent dialog ( prayer) with God In Jesus name does help. At first it may only seem one sided but eventually you will learn to listen and actually hear God's voice speaking to you in a still silent voice.

Usually most will pray to God when they are faced with a major crisis but He also wants to hear from you when you are happy and things are doing great for you. Maybe just a "thank you God" for what you do have would be nice.

There has been a new resurgence of people coming back into the traditional conservative churches due to the uncertainties we now live in but the fact remains there are still millions of others seeking God for the first time. Many were turned off from past experiences and never returned feeling they did not fit in or are considered an outcast.

These are the people that God wants in our churches. Do we welcome them or do we judge them as not a good fit? It is not our place to judge who can experience God's grace. Only God Himself has that right. All we can do is accommodate them and welcome them with open arms in God's house. However, we must help them in their new found faith to grow stronger and prosper. It takes a lot of will power and struggles to get one into a church but it only takes a second to turn them away. What does your church do?

In my own struggles, I have become some what of a maverick and think out side of the box according to conventional thinking but am I really? I have embraced the Spiritual Gifts and healing but I don't think I possess any gifts. I show compassion and love for others but isn't that what God want us to do? I try to encourage others with God's words. Some have said I should start my own church and they would attend. I am not a pastor, nor am I a minister. If I did start a church, I want it to be God's church, not my church. Actually I feel a church is any where two or more gather to worship God. So now it is where ever I am led to minister to others. I don't think He has the idea of me starting a church in mind for me. Leading others to Christ is my commission. Nothing else shows up on the radar.

IT IS NEARLY CHRISTMAS EVE. REJOICE!

Here I sit on the day before Christmas Eve playing some of my favorite songs for this time of the year. The one theme of most of the songs is the joyful praise of the birth of Christ. How fitting for this time of the year amidst the rush and stress of making sure all have the perfect gift for the holiday before closing time on Christmas Eve. Being in retailing over the years before I retired, I usually did all my shopping at a leisurely pace and had all the shopping done way ahead of time. Sadly, that is not the case any more. Yep, I am now one of the many stressed out shoppers racing around the store like a zombie 5 minutes before closing to get the last gift for some one special. You would think I would know better after all these years but that is not the case.

I guess I should post some thing prophetic, devout, or religious but I am not a prophet, and I don't think I fit the devout model, nor am I religious as most may profess. I may better qualify as a messy believer with off the wall ideas about true faith and God. What I do love is the words spoken by Jesus in the bible. Every time I read them, I feel a closer relationship with Jesus and pray for understanding. It is as if the words were written for this messy sinner to follow exclusively. As matter of fact, those word were written for "all" to follow in order to to be saved.

The stories of Jesus and His miracles by His disciples is riveting causing me to sometimes wish I could some way go back in time to witness first hand His words and feel His healing touch. However, we all know that is impossible or is it? Here is the case where we all must have faith and believe what is written in a book that has endured time as the truth and our guide to salvation in a world clouded with darkness and doubt.

As it is written in Paul's letters to the founding Christian churches, we must openly follow his teachings about the Spiritual Gifts, miracle healing, and the super natural even though many denominations of the faith do not subscribe to such this day and time. When I am open to these teachings, I feel I am closer to God and His will. I just have to cast aside my doubts and openly accept what He wishes as a follower of the faith. I have to let Him lead me, not me lead my self.

God gave us part of Himself in His Son's birth that fateful day two thousand years ago. What could be a more precious and priceless a gift than the birth of Jesus the Messiah and Saviour in the flesh. His birth changed the world and gave hope in a time when despair was rampant then and today. What He promised was salvation and hope for an eternal life in God's kingdom after the death of the sinful flesh if only we would believe, love others, and turn away from sin.

For that I am grateful for a gift that keeps on giving for eternity. In return, I am singing praise and glorifying Jesus for all that He has done for us all on His birthday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME BUT WHAT ABOUT THE HAVE NOTS?

Christmas has always been a time of festivities in my family with decorations, buying gifts for each other to the extreme, more food than we could eat in one day, and rejoicing in the birth of Jesus. It is a time of the year that I wished could last every day of the year. Even when the winter cold and snow is so harsh out side, there is a glowing warmth on the inside when we are together.

Sadly, not all with have the same festivities as we are blessed to be able to enjoy which saddens me to the point of feeling guilty for what we do have. With the current economic condition this nation is now under, many will be on the outside looking in at the proverbial festivities of the fortunate ones not affected yet by the down turn of the economy. Some are losing their homes and jobs with no promise of future employment or the ability to at least have a place to stay. Many have their utilities turned off for lack of the ability to pay and live with out heat of food. Most are too proud to accept welfare or food stamps or fail to qualify due to their prior income status.

Yes we do have a new class of destitute and homeless or near homeless people in our ranks that fall through the cracks as far as the government agencies helping them in their times of hardships. You would think the churches would step in and offer help to this new class of destitute people but it may not be the case sometimes.

Here is an opportunity that most Christians can truly show their love for their fellow neighbors in need. It doesn't take much to be able to once in a while take them to the grocery store to buy essential foods for their family needs. Donate time to watch their kids while they seek employment. Help them by doing their laundry since their power is turned off . Make a list of their children for Christmas gifts and deliver it secretly on Christmas eve. Might even add a few gifts for mom and dad too.

We have a lot of wooded areas around us and we cut up fallen trees and give to the families that have fire places to keep warm where the utilities are shut off. Invite them over for dinner occasionally for a warm meal. There are thousands of ways to help out the ones that are suffering in this festive time of the year. The most important item is we give them the gift of love during their time of need and let them know they are not alone.

As I once read, " It is better to give than receive". What better gift is there than showing your love for others in Jesus' name and giving when they are in need? These acts of kindness and love does not go un noticed in God's eyes. I would have to think we are following what God wishes for us to do. Perhaps maybe we overlook the less fortunate in this time strapped season of Christmas for obvious personal reasons.

Be thankful for what we do have, pray, and help those less fortunate.

I pray that all have a Merry Christmas and rejoice in our Saviour's birth.

WHAT A MESS I AM

Ok so I don't go to church much any more by my own choice. I just don't feel like I fit in with the conventional churches. I do miss the musical worship sessions in church but I now have a good collection of worship music so I can pull those up and really get spiritual in my own way. I still study the Bible and related books. I do pray for and with others and keep in contact with people that are in my communities that are in need and assist them when I can.

A few people still come to me thinking I am a minister ( which I am not) seeking salvation and I do my best to minister to them in their spiritual needs. I don't go around preaching to every one but if they ask, I will spread the Lord's word on salvation. One thinks I have healing powers ( which I don't).

It was the lady I mentioned in an earlier blog who has a daughter that wears braces in order to walk. She dropped by my office one day a while back with her daughter to ask for prayer and to heal her daughter. Reluctantly I prayed for her but I assured her it would be God's work, not mine. I cannot heal others. Yesterday they walked by the office to show me the daughter can walk with out her braces now and Doctors don't know how it happened. Maybe God did heal this precious deserving little child after all.

What I have found in my dealings with people in these two communities I manage is they don't fit in at churches either. Most say they don't feel comfortable in a church or they don't have the money to spend on good clothes to go to church but they feel comfortable talking to me in spiritual matters on their turf. They claim I bring the church to them instead of bringing them to a church. I try to explain to them that a church is when ever two or more gather to worship God. It doesn't have to be an established church. I reminded them that Jesus frequently spoke in open fields and by the sea in gatherings and that was essentially a church in all respects even though it was not in a building. What was important is that when one gathers with others to hear the Lord's words. Then it becomes a church

We don't need extravagant multi million dollar buildings or scripted programs to hear God's word. Only a place to gather and sing praise to the Lord, hear his words, and let the Holy Spirit prevail. Perhaps doing that we might see more souls won over to the Lord and miracle happenings just like in biblical times. What money is gathered should be divided up and given to the needy and hungry. In these hard times, there are probably many that need help.

For some reason I find my self closer to God helping others and being where they are instead of in a church. This way I can be close by 7 days a week instead of only on Sundays. Most attending churches are already saved so to speak but a massive amount of others that never set foot in a church are missing out on God's salvation and love.

I don't attend church regularly, I think way out side of conventional thinking in Christianity, I show compassion to those less fortunate, I try to walk in their shoes, and I show love for them. Essentially, I am a maverick upsetting the apple cart.

Am I a mess or what?

THE WAY I SEE THINGS, POLITICALLY

PHOTOGR FOR PRESIDENT IN 2012

THE WAY I SEE THINGS POLITICALLY

My fellow Americans. I come before you today to announce my tossing of the hat in the ring to run for the President of America in 2012. Already I am forming the new political party called the Silver Back Party as an alternative to donkeys and elephants running amonk. Are you fed up with their monkey business? I sure am.

Today I want to address our esteemed seniors in this great country. Have you missed your cost of living increases the last two years in your Social Security benefits? The current administration claims there was no inflation over the last two years so they canceled it. I wonder if this administration ever shops at Walmart or grocery stores much. Milk is up almost a dollar over the last two years, Twin pack T bone steaks I used to buy for about $14.00. Now I have to pay nearly $20.00 for the same steaks and they are really tougher to chew. Have you noticed your medicare co- pays have jumped from $100.00 to $200.00 on the average for surgical applications if you have part D?

Look on the bright side of this. For the last two years the current administration has voted their selves a 10% pay hike each year and they get all their health insurance paid for by us ( no deductibles). Now that sounds like an equal cut back for all parties except the Washington bunch.

If I am elected president of this great country I will enact the Cost of Living increase for seniors retro active from 2009. Now you ask how am I going to pay for this huge expense and debt? Being I favor a balanced budget, I will freeze all future pay hikes for 10 years on senators, congressmen, and their aides plus make them pay back their last two pay hikes they voted their selves. I will also force all senators, congressmen, and aids to fly coach, take the bus, and no more jumbo jets for two. That should more than pay for what they did to you seniors.

We are told by the current administration that Social Security is going broke and they must cut benefits, medicare coverage, and what medicare will cover in the future.. They claim it will save billions of dollars. My question is where is that billions of dollars savings going to? Definitely not back into the benefit fund I would guess. I recently read in a recent AARP article that social Security taxes paid by us in the last 25 years has been more that what Social Security has been paying out. It now has amassed a 2.5 trillion dollar reserve fund. I'll bet some in Washington are really salivating over that nest egg. My Pa used to tell me that Washington was raiding the Social Security fund back in the 70's for special interest projects and not paying any of it back. If I am elected President, that money will not be touched and no benefit cuts will be allowed. Medicare will again be allowing coverage for all health care needs. No rationing.

In the future weeks I will be covering more about my campaign pledges to the citizens of this great country. For one thing I pledge to give every family in this great country a banana bearing tree for nutritional needs. Nothing wrong with eating healthy foods.

PHOTOGR FOR PRESIDENT IN 2012. A CHANGE WE CAN LIVE WITH.

( disclaimer) This campaign is a satire on the upcoming presidential election. No animals were hurt or injured in this production. Also Photogr was born in America irregardless of his ancestor's heritage.

I AM A MESSY CHRIST FOLLOWER

The more I seek knowledge and a relationship with God, the more I realize He has been beside me all along during my times of doubt, sin, and desolation in the desert. Always there with gentle prodding and encouragement even when I wasn't even seeking His grace.

He has brought people before me seeking salvation and led me with encouraging words for them. I asked why me of all people but I get no answer. Just more people brought before me to minister to. Do I win souls to Christ? A few maybe. Am I good at it? Probably not. Do I have compassion and love for them? Yes to a point. Is my faith un wavering? I don't think so but I think God has other ideas. Do I have any spiritual gifts? I once thought I did but that might have been only me. I really don't think so. However, I do desire them to serve others through God's grace.

So where does this leave me spiritually? A totally messy Christ follower is the best I can describe the situation. I am confused, I don't seem to fit in with a conventional church, I enjoy the musical worship services more that I do the sermons ( I find my inspiration more from the bible than from a sermon), and I really think way out side of the box. I find I feel better helping those out side of the church seeking God's grace instead of in a church. Aren't those the ones we should really be helping in the first place?

I wonder if there is such a church for messy people and what would it be like. Here is an idea.

As you walk in, there are greeters that are sincere in their greetings that are filled with love for others. You take a seat and wait for the services to begin. Others in the congregation walk by going to their seats and greet you as if you are a long time friend ( not ignore you). As the service begins, the pastor or associate walks onto the stage and gives a brief report of the current activity in the church. He/she then ask for prayer that the Holy Spirit fills the service with His presence and leads others to Christ. The band begins to play worship music that gets all up and singing praises to God. The Revelation Song and All That I Am gets me jumping every time. The pastor steps back onto the stage for a few words of encouragement inviting all to come forward that feel touched by the Holy Spirit. The band begins to play more worship songs. Some come forward to pray at the stage or altar. Others are touched by the Holy Spirit and feel joyous during the singing. Some weep, some shout out in praise. As the band continues to play, the prayer groups come forward to pray over the ones at the front of the stage or altar.

The pastor makes a brief statement praising God telling all that the Holy Spirit is among the congregation and all that feels his presence rejoice in the Lord and gives a short sermon inviting others to come forward that seek salvation or prayer. The band continues to play softly as others come forward for prayer, seeking salvation, or healing. The pastor speaks out to others quoting scripture and invitations continue.

There are no time schedules to follow. God and the Holy Spirit are not regulated to a box or time frame. In this service God controls when it is over and only then. After the service, many regulars travel through the crowd greeting those seeking more about God and directing them to the places set up in the church that may be able to help them in their search as well as giving fellowship.

Perhaps I expect too much from a church. What do you think?

Are you God?

I was at this rental community where I was asked to work in to reorganize the office and coordinate the clean up of the appearance of the community. Needing some exercise I decided to walk around and introduce my self to the tenants that were waiting for their children to arrive in a bus from the local school. I was talking to one lady as the bus pulled up and noticed a young child about 6 or 7 with braces on both of her legs. Quite a beautiful child with a smile that would melt any ones heart. I noticed the difficulty she was having getting off the bus and it broke my heart. She hobbled up to the lady I was talking to and cheerfully greeted her mother. I asked "who are you little girl?" She replied "I am Samantha, Are you God?"

This really took me by surprise and the mother sheepishly replied that she has been praying to God to heal her daughter so that she would not have to wear braces any more due to a birth defect. The doctors had said when she was born, she would never be able to walk but she does get around ok with the braces. The little girl spoke up and said "Mommy said that one day God would come to visit me and take away the braces". I was speechless but I felt the urge to say that some day He will do exactly that in due time and God does love you. He will not forget you. Needless to say she seemed a bit sad when I told her I was not God but I said I will include her in my prayers to God. The mother appeared to get tears in her eyes and said thanks for saying that. I didn't know how much that would mean to her. She said it seems that her prayers are not getting through. I told her yes her prayers do get through but it helps if more pray for Samantha. The mother asked if I was a pastor and I said no but I do believe that God can do miracles when the time is right.

As I drove of back to the office I felt compassion and anger that God would let this child suffer and asked Him to have compassion for Samantha and her family and grant this beautiful child her wish. This was one of the rare times when I wished I had the gift of healing through God's grace. Perhaps some day I may but I have to first get out of the desert I now feel trapped in.