Tuesday, December 27, 2005

The Christians Contradiction

So many of us as Christians contradict ourselves. We believe God is capable to do all things and that He loves us and yet we doubt when receive the bills or we turn away from what we truly desire to do because it won't bring in enough money. Most of our goals in life our money oriented. We see that the world requires money so we spend our lives trying to acquire more of it. We complain when the government don't give us enough or make us pay too much. If we truly believe that God loves us and desires the best for us why are we so obsessed?

So you say, C'mon not worry about getting money? There are too many things I need, That's just impossible. Luke 18:27 says that "things which are impossible with men are possible with God." So why can't we believe in awesome things when we have an awesome God? Why is it so hard to believe that if we truly seek Him he will gi ve us the desires of our heart" (Psalm 37:4)

As most of you know, I am a mother of four, I am also young. Me and my husband had to live off of faith many times. We had to truly believe God's word, "be content with such things as you have, I will never leave the nor forsake thee," (Hebrews 13:5.) even if it meant that we had to be happy with our small rabbit ear television and our tiny apartment. I can't tell you how many times money would just appear. Once someone jsut came and dropped off 500.00 in an envelope before with just our names on the front. Now I am a college graduate and we live in a large home. I refused to worry myself grey over money and how we were going to get taken care of. Not that I never worried, and I believe the times I did lose faith were the times that we struggled the most until I remembered to reach back toward God again. Thank God He never turned away.

Now I'm not saying to never work or that it's wrong to desire to gain. But when you do make sure you do it for the Lord. Seek his guide and counsel. Make sure what you do pleases Him and do good works for others. It says in 1 Timouthy 6:17-19,
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is eternal."

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Happy Birthday Jesus!

I want to take this blog to wish Jesus a Happy Birthday and I hope you all do too. Wish Him a happy birthday by witnessing to your worst enemy or someone you don't particularly like. Wish Him a happy birthday by trying your best to change a bad habit just to please Him and His Father more. Wish Him a happy birthday by not fighting, being sarcastic or cynical. Wish Him a happy birthday by tolerating your family members. Wish Him a happy birthday by exercising your faith that He will take care of you instead of worrying about money or gifts and exercising your faith that the unbelievers in this world will eventually bow and worship His name! Wish Him a Happy Birthday by praying, and praising His name! Glory be to God!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Two Gods?

The biggest division amongst Christians seemed to be the punishment factor of God. In the Bible there seemed to be two different Gods. One, a punishing vengeful God who strikes down those who turn from Him and the forgiving, always loving God who sent His son Jesus to die for the sinner. Out of this came two kinds of Christians, the condemning Christian who feels anyone who leads a life of sin should be reprimanded and deeply punished and the kind Christian who teaches others to welcome sinners with open arms.

There is only one Great God who does love us as a Father, but will punish us like a loving father would punish His wayward children. But I believe that the decisions of people's punishments should be left up to God. I'm thinking of the story of Paul. Paul killed many people just because they were Christian. If it was decided that he was to be put to death then God wouldn't have had His chance to change Paul they way he had. He struck Paul with a blinding light (literally blinding) and told him that He was real and the He was persecuting Him. After God forgave Paul, He didn't put Paul to death but put him to use. Paul was given the ability to teach, heal and cast out demons! Paul is one of the profits in the Bible who we still learn from today. This is an awesome thought that many condemning Christians don't think about!

So what is my point? I believe that people should not condemn one another but leave the decision of punishment or redemption up to God. Also, even if someone is put to death, if they accept Jesus Christ and truly desire Him in their heart, they will go to heaven no matter how bad a crime they committed.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

No Big Deal

Everyone's all abuzz about the recent backlash against Christmas. Certian politicians are telling people to say Happy Holidays and to take Christian elements out of a holday that was meant for Jesus Christ. I think as Christians instead of fighting about it and telling people that it's our way or the highway, we should be sharing the love of Christ EVEN MORE by loving each other. No one can close our mouths. So go out and tell people Jesus loves them! Don't let anyone spoil this season by causing anger and strife. I believe that is exactly what Satan wants. He is not trying to stop Christmas from non-believers, he is trying to distract Christians from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Don't let a few opinions, stop you!

Monday, December 05, 2005

Destiny?

The question of destiny. That's what came up when I was speaking with my sister. So many believe the way she does. That our lives are already set and there's nothing you can do about changing it. What does God say? Does He have our lives already planned out, or do we have control?

In Romans 8:29-30 it says, "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified."

I believe this to mean that before we were born God had a destiny for us to be like Jesus and that He has a plan for each one of us in our lives.

However, it also says in Philippians 3:18-20, "For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. "

I believe this to say that people do have the choice to not believe and to turn away from God and change their destiny to destroy themselves.

So, is my sister and so many others right about destiny? Can we party hard since we are all going to die anyway? No. God has given each one of us a choice of paths in life. It's that proverbial "fork in the road" in front of us all the time. We can choose His way which leads to blessings and peace and the fulfillment of His calling on our lives or we can turn away and make things hopeless and hard for ourselves. Don't get me wrong, you will make mistakes as you travel the right path toward God but His forgiveness and love is there for you. Just don't give up and allow the devil to make you feel like you are meant to be a sinner.
We are all destined to be loved by God.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Donations



My magazine process is going really great God's hand is on the process. I was looking for anyone who would like to make a monetary donation toward the production. If you would please contact me by e-mail. I will send you a full synopsis of the magazine detailing all that I plan for it to accomplish as well as a detailed budget. If you can help it will be greatly appreciated. I am also in the process of filling out a 501c3 application so that the magazine will be deemed non-profit and your gifts will be tax deductible. Thank you. Contact me telika8@elitemail.org copy telika@tidni.com just in case. Call me 815-477-7358 leave a message if I'm not home.

Everyone's Dirty Little Secrets

I was watching the Today show and there was a segment about a man who asked for people to send him their secrets. He received thousands of secrets on postcards and in letters just from that simple request. He put the secrets on his website which received thousands of hits. He has a book published from the secrets and there was even a song spawned from it. I was wondering why so many people felt the need to share their secrets with a total stranger. Were they bound up with them and glad to let them go? The anchor on the show said that everyone has a dirty little secret. I disagree, no one does. Because God knows. You can't hide from God. He knows what you done, He knows all of your shame, hurt and guilt. He wants to take all of those secrets and not make money off of them but eliminate them. His love for you is so strong that He sent His son to die and take on all of your sins. Yes, all those dirty secrets that you may feel that you have locked inside preventing you from leading a happy and fulfilling life. You don't have to be condemned anymore!

"He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him" Daniel 2:22

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Sorry I've been away!

Hello everyone,
I'm sorry there hasn't been an entry in awhile besides the fact that I have been on vacation and busy with a few projects I also have been having problems with my computer. I couldn't load certain pages on my computer such as the blogger site! Now that's resolved, I should be blogging more often.