God Would Never Unfriend Us

Back in the day, when we unfriended someone, we walked away, erased their name off our notebook or wrote a “Dear John” letter. Here we are – decades later and we can unfriend someone with the tap of a button. I don’t “unfriend” but rather “unfollow”, usually because of their language, their rants, their lack of self-control. I still want them to follow me – hopefully, so they’ll catch some Llight if they pass by my blog.

Our lives are about relationships -- with Jesus and with people He’s created. Period. What concerns me most, is that people fail, disappoint, act up and act out, they let it rip – their language, I mean, without a thought or concern. I really do want to unfriend them because my little Pollyanna world needs to stay all peaches and cream. Right?

Good thing I’m not a god who carries a big stick. I’d be whack-a-moleying those ornery folks all over the place. I’m done with their lack of love, lack of decorum and lack of common sense. If some of them were my friends, I would unfriend them without a second thought. Go ahead, God! Let ‘em have it!

Then comes along the full-volume, yet gentle voice of God, with His personal guarantee, "I will NEVER unfriend them." Argh! But, please, God! Then God’s gentle tap on my shoulder reels me back into what His grace is all about. Our God would die before He would unfriend anyone. Fact is: our God did die rather than unfriend us. “Greater love has no one than this: than to lay down one’s life for His friends." (John 15:13)

Jesus didn’t leave, unlike, or unfriend a single one of his twelve closest friends. Not even when they deserved it. He’s not about to start with you and me. Instead, He kept on keeping the promise He first made that He would never leave or forsake His people. This is the God who moved into our neighborhood to be our friend. To know all about us and still love us. This is the God who has pursued you and me since before time and who never ever considers us a waste of time. This is a God who died on a cross to reach our hearts and souls to rescue us. We are loved – in spite of, because of, and instead of, but – do we believe it? Do we believe ours is His Love Story and in His Love Story – the Lover never leaves us.

My precious and beloved friends – let Him love you and wrap you in His grace and mercy. Just say “yes” – ACCEPT His “friend” request. He will take away all your sin, failings, fear and give you His own life – life to the full. "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) You are loved!

The Straw That Broke the Camel's Back

This photo is from my recent trip to Israel – right at the foot of the Mount of Temptation. Having my photo taken on a camel was a “must” but little did I realize that the little boy (about 10 years old) that was leading the camel would say “let’s go” and that camel started to gallop. And he was holding the reins -- not me! I must say, “My life flashed before my eyes!” LOL! I yelled "Slow down!" and the boy quickly brought him to a slow trot! That memory will stay with me forever. The other photo is my bestie, Sheila, and I standing firmly on solid ground again!

I thought about that camel and the idiom, "the straw that broke the camel's back". Have you ever had one of those days when, in spite of all your good deeds, good thoughts, and good intentions, when -- out of nowhere -- you experience the final "straw that broke the camel's back"? That phrase describes an irritation that causes a large reaction, because of so many small actions that led up to it.. To put it plainly, it's like Popeye's famous words: "That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more!"

Case in point. Coming to grips with living in a city that has tons of traffic in it, you have to be a defensive driver because of the drivers who think they are in the Indy 500. I experienced that yesterday, as I left Dallas in the early morning and later, drove into Austin. When I started to change lanes, a car that was a good distance back, pressed his accelerator to keep me from getting in front of him. He blared his horn so loudly and proudly gave me a “hand gesture”, and rather than taking it as a grain of salt, I put up my arms and yelled “REALLY?” I'm sure he's still beaming that he nearly scared the living daylights out of me and, obviously, I'm still thinking about that dude who seemed to define "road rage".

I typically say, "In the light of eternity, does it really matter?" But it does matter when we feel mistreated, betrayed, rejected, and disappointed. We can take it and take it and take it some more, and while we'd love to know we had attained the character of Jesus, sometimes, one time too often, we face that "final straw that broke the camel's back". As I type this post, I hear that still, small voice, clearly say "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A5s2feN6Yk

As long as we're in these earth suits, we have the ability to fail, make mistakes, and just "lose it". But the more we strive to be like Him who was without fault, the more of Him we'll possess. How thankful I am, that He who I desire to be like the most, so quickly forgives me when I falter, and is WHO I want to emulate when I need to forgive. How sweet this life is.....when each time we fall, we can get back up again and become better than before. Donnie McClurkin wrote a song that said, "We fall down, but we get up. We fall down, but we get up. For a Saint, is just a Sinner who fell down....and got up!" I love this song -- listen and feel what I feel -- when I fall down and get back up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A5s2feN6Yk

Not Just a Moment of Silence -- PRAY FOR PEACE

Day 317 of Photo Inspirations: Not Just a Moment of Silence -- PRAY FOR PEACE
We are in perilous times.  There are those who are consumed with fear because of the atrocities committed by our enemies, near and far.  I have friends who tell me their children are afraid, and they, themselves are living in fear about what this day and tomorrow may hold.  It's understandable. With the outbursts of violence around the world, no wonder people are afraid.  All of us could speak words of fear. "If this could happen in Paris, it could happen in our own cities."

All of us could speak words of anger, fear, hatred, and malice.  But I refuse to go there.  My hope is built on the SOLID ROCK.  When all the earth around me is sinking sand, on Christ the Solid Rock I stand.  When I need a shelter.  When I need a friend....I go to THE ROCK.   I know I am accused of being a Pollyanna in this "dirty, rotten world", because my outlook leans to optimism and GREAT expectation, but, never has it been more important than now for us to LOOK UP....for that's where our help comes from.   Our help comes from the Lord.  As Winston Churchill once said, "We have nothing to fear except fear itself."  

I appreciate it when the media and public officials, in honoring of a fallen soldier or victims of disasters, say "Let us have a 'Moment of Silence', but I think we need more than just a "Moment of Silence".  We need fervent, audacious, faith-filled, believing prayers that move mountains (enemies).

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

Yes, we are engaged in war but the most strategic, powerful weapon against all the demonic forces out there is still PRAYER.  Our prayers can change the war on terror.

Let's pray relentlessly and ask God to do the fighting for us. He never loses, He is never wrong, and He never ignores the prayers of his people. Christians might be the most important weapon in the fight on terrorism.  

We are reminded all the more that as darkness becomes darker, it's the light of Jesus that must become brighter. It's His light that brings love, brings us peace, and brings us hope. It's in His name and His name alone that we see and find goodness and that’s why even in the face of tragic events we can boldly say, "God is good. All the time.”

Ever Have a Day When the Last Straw Broke the Camel's Back?

Ever have one of those days when, in spite of all your good deeds, good thoughts, good intentions.....that -- out of nowhere -- you just blow it?

I may give the impression that I'm Pollyannaish (that word is from "Pollyanna," the heroine of the famous 1913 novel "Pollyanna", whose outlook on life was one of absolute optimism and whose problems were always straightened out in the end). And, being Pollyannaish is what I strive to be. Actually, that's not it -- I desire to be a FULLY devoted follower of Christ -- which means I strive to be like HIM!

But on Thursday.....I really blew it. I have had challenges and concerns regarding my home's construction. I've conceded to many things that should have been done, but weren't, and closed my eyes to other issues that I just gave to God. I typically say, "In the light of eternity.....does it really matter?" But, having been promised a specific, important thing and waiting for over a year to get it done, it was finally done on Thursday -- but completely incorrectly. It was "the final straw that broke the camel's back" to me. I totally shocked myself as I went into a tirade -- ranting and raving about this misdeed. I drove off, and immediately, I heard that still, small, but loud and clear, voice say, "Love is patient, love is kind. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Aargh! I knew I had to get a grip and apologize..... and I did. While I was saying, "I apologize for exposing my last straw", the other person. who is also a Christian, quickly apologized back to me, and within just a short while had the situation, I had waited on for over a year....completely corrected and completed.

Why did I tell you this story? As long as we're in these earth suits, we have the ability to fail, make mistakes, miss the mark, and just "lose it". But the more we strive to be like Him who was without fault, the more of His characteristics we'll possess. How thankful I am, that He who I desire to be like the most, so quickly forgives me when I falter, and is WHO I want to immulate when I need to forgive. How sweet this life is.....when each time we fall, we can get back up again and be better than before. Donnie McClurkin wrote a song that said, "We fall down, but we get up. We fall down, but we get up. For a Saint, is just a Sinner who fell down....and got up!" I love this chorus -- listen and feel what I felt....when I fell down and got back up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3ewPHaPBfA