To Be Understood - Deeply

Jodie Foster at the Golden Globes on 1/13/13 said, I am "still here, I still am, and I want to be understood, deeply and to not be so very lonely."  My heart broke hearing this statement.  Who hasn't wanted to be understood to this depth?   Who hasn't wanted to share their deepest, innermost thoughts and passions with someone who genuinely cares? To be profoundly understood "far beneath what is superficial, external, or obvious" as defined at Dictionary.com . To be understood to the depths of one's soul.  I know I have wanted this kind of relationship. We were made for this kind of a relationship. And whom else should know us even better than we know ourselves, other than our creator.  Psalm 139 - 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  You better believe He understands you. And He loves you!

Max Lucado states, "...there is nothing on earth that can satisfy our deepest longing.  We long to see God...  -- and we won't be satisfied until we do."

1 Timothy - 6 Serving God does make us very rich, if we are satisfied with what we have. 7 We brought nothing into the world, so we can take nothing out. 8 But, if we have food and clothes, we will be satisfied with that. 9 Those who want to become rich bring temptation to themselves and are caught in a trap. They want many foolish and harmful things that ruin and destroy people. 10 The love of money causes all kinds of evil. Some people have left the faith, because they wanted to get more money, but they have caused themselves much sorrow. http://www.biblestudytools.com/ncv/1-timothy/passage.aspx?q=1-timothy+6:6-10 

SO..."Stop looking everywhere and just look up."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPW3EB5U0bo&sns=fb 

30 Days of Thankfulness

Day 30 - is thankful for His light that shines through darkness. As I was watching the sun come up this morning, I noticed how the whole horizon was lined with light. Then when the son broke over the horizon, it was glorious! (LOL typo or not?) 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Day 29 - is thankful my true inheritance is not of this world.
Day 28 - is thankful my guys never made me watch Duke, because my girlfriends do....Bahahahaha! 
Day 27 - is thankful God made me tenacious!
Day 26 - is thankful for this day!
Day 25 - is thankful for adversity because in my weakness, He will make me strong....I know, I know...it sounds nuts! But when we experience adversity and we all do, we have a choice...and I can't do bitterness...don't want to do bitterness...it steals 

your joy. When you have experienced 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, you know the truth of this matter. I woke up to Charles Stanley playing on tv this morning, then fell back asleep...LOL just so you know, I didn't turn the tv on. We must have fallen asleep with it on, but then how amazing I woke up to hear just a snippet of his message that spoke to me to go search out and hear the full message of Stanley on this day.  God knew I needed to hear that message. He is an awesome God!

Day 24 - is thankful the CHRISTmas tree is up! How apropos that this morning I was reading John 15:4-5 about Him being the vine, and we are the branches. The vine gives life to the branches. If we don't stay attached and "remain in Him," we are "like a branch that is thrown away and withers." But if we stay attached to the vine, He gives us life, strength and power with roots of love that are 

deeper and wider than we can imagine - Ephesians 3:16-19. I recently looked into visiting the redwoods....talk about wide and deep and high. Galatians 5:22-23 talks about how we can grown as strong and tall as the red woods with the fruits of the Spirit, if we remain in Him. NOW...to keep working on those lights ;-)

Day 23 - is thankful He knows my every need before I ask...and even when I don't know my own need, He does.
Day 22 - is thankful I'm ALIVE because of Jesus Christ.
Day 21 - is thankful for His promises.
Day 20 - is thankful for His Word and its truth.
Day 19 - is thankful I know who to thank. One day many, many years ago, the Lord opened these blinded eyes, touched my heart, and drew me in. Now everyday it is a conscious choice as to whether I want His will more than mine. In a world of instant gratification I just need to remember ... Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  
Day 18 - is thankful all my guys are at home for Thanksgiving!!
Day 17 - is thankful for leadership and pray for those in positions of leadership to be used by God...our President and all USA government, those at WFBH that have to deliver the news of layoffs and plan for ObamaCare, those in churches...that they preach the good news of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again and lives today.
Day 16 - LOL...I don't know where to start...my Bible study this morning...so intimate and personal .."As high as the Heavens = His love for me! As far as the east is from the west = my sin is gone!" Be gone guilt!!..."total forgiveness for each one - to be remembered no more!" Zec. 3:1-4 (my paraphrase) "The Lord rebuked you satan! The Lord who has chosen me, He rebuked you! Is not this woman 

a burning stick snatched from the fire?" Oh, my Heavenly Father!! I had never heard it like this...satan is on the offense...LOL my guys should understand this...P.Billheimer wrote, "Satan never allows an answer (to prayer) to reach earth if he can prevent it. Persistence (LOL) and importunity in prayer are not needed to persuade a willing God but to enable him to overcome opposition of hindering evil spirits." I'm not sure "enable" Him is correct, because God is able in all things, but maybe to convince God we want Him and His will more than anything else in this world. Then again in Psalm 103, "the Lord's love is with those who fear him (not as in to cower, but to respect Him and to honor Him), and his righteousness with their children's children - " praise be to God - this to those who remember to obey the Lord. Eph. 6:13-18 Put on the full armor of God! Lord, help me to never take it off, again! This morning, I am just thankful!! ... and if I lose my job, I might just have to preach ;-)
Day 15 - is thankful for His peace that passes all understanding.
Day 14 - is thankful for ALL HE provides for me & my family... house & home, heat (love the heat, hate the cold), ok I do enjoy air condition in summer time, food, jobs, clothing, cars, technology, gas, water, health, life, joy (abundantly), healing for hurt & sickness, and YOU!
Day 13 - is thankful for my "strands"...those Brothers and Sisters in Christ that lift me up in prayer and help to guide me along this path. This passage from Ecclesiastes 4:12 illustrates the importance of Christian companionship. Two Christians that are bound together in Christ are stronger than the individuals themselves.
Day 12 - LOL, let me back up and ... is thankful for my sister and brother and their spouses who provided me with those two wonderful nieces. Great job!!
Day 11 - is thankful God put two loving, kind, smart, and beautiful nieces in my life.
Day 10 - is thankful for parents who love and care for me.
Day  9 - is thankful for the daughter-in-loves God is preparing for our sons.
Day  8 - is thankful for my children...such blessings. Proud of the young men they have grown into and excited about the promise and plans God has for their future.
Day  7 - is thankful for my husband...a man who knows the Father. Like me, he is not perfect, but he is perfect for me.
Day  6 - is thankful that not only today, but everyday God is still in control.
Day  5 - is thankful there is no other God like my God! 1 Corinthians 15:4 "He was buried, he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures-and is still alive!"
Day  4 - is thankful for the Trinity of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit who knows my name and 

speaks to me.
Day  3 - is thankful for HIS faithfulness to me. Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.""
Day  2 - is thankful HE has redeemed me.
Day  1 - is thankful for the way HE loves me!!!

HOT Topic Summer Reading

For those thinking about reading this "erotic" novel http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifty_Shades_of_Grey , consider reading these first... http://www.jennyraearmstrong.com/2012/06/18/50-shades-of-broken-why-do-women-fantasize-about-abuse/  and  http://goodwomenproject.com/marriage/sex-hunger-50-shades-grey
Then read this http://www.nae.net/images/content/Code_of_Ethics_for_Pastors.pdf  .

I "just happen" to listen to a group of ministers conference about a "Code of Ethics for Pastors" this week.   Here is my email I sent to the National Association of Evangelicals -

Hello and thank you for the invite to listen in on the teleconference. It was very encouraging. I am not an ordained minister. I am only what God has called me to be and as such I have two comments about the “Code of Ethics for Pastors,” which I believe should be called a Code of Ethics for all Christians instead. I have been called to do all I can against “Human Trafficking,” and as such my concerns lie within the heading “Seek Purity.”

1. "In maintaining sexual purity,” I believe “sinful sexual behavior and inappropriate involvement” needs to be defined or else restated as any sexual behavior or involvement outside of the union God has joined together should be avoided. Inappropriateness should be defined within the relationship between God, man, and wife.
2. "In professional practice – Avoid taking advantage of the vulnerabilities of others through exploitation or manipulation”, I find this statement highly offensive as human trafficking is all about people taking advantage of the vulnerable through exploitation and/or manipulation. “Avoid” is simply too passive a word for this criminal activity.

Thank you for taking the time to read the opinions of this congregant.
Terri

Here is their response -
Subject: RE: NAE Code of Ethics for Pastors

Thank you for listening in on our Code of Ethics teleconference. I’m glad to hear that you were encouraged!
We are grateful for your commitment to fight Human Trafficking and for your thoughtful suggestions for the Code of Ethics.
The practical reality is that we traveled through 18 months of wording from ethicists, pastors and denominational leaders plus a couple of NAE board meetings to get the current version inked. So, we can't add or subtract without another extended process, but we will keep your comments in mind should revisions be made to the document.

National Association of Evangelicals
Washington, DC
202-789-1011
www.nae.net


Now, choose whether you really want to read "Fifty Shades of Grey."  It is your choice, just like chooseing to eat something unhealthy, but the difference is no person should ever be treated as an object or possession. For those fighting the crime of human trafficking, if you agree the statement included in Code of Ethics for Pastors, "In professional practice – Avoid taking advantage of the vulnerabilities of others through exploitation or manipulation”, is offensive to the issue, please email http://www.nae.net/contact-us .

A HART

Father's Day, a fine day to remember this man and family member that I have seen maybe once or twice since I was about three years old.  His family kept me one night when Grandma Hart was in the hospital.  All of these years, I have remembered their kindness and playing on one of those tiny pianos. Recently, I remembered something else about that visit.  He prayed for me. I remembered the prayer went on and on and on and on....thought he would never finish....I wanted to get back to playing.  Then this week,  Mom "just happens" to bring me this election photo card back from her visit to Georgia...yea, right "just happens."  I am sure the prayer he prayed over me that night was an intercessory prayer meant for just a time as this. 

1 Samuel 17:47 (NIVUK)

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.’

I do not remember the words you said over me that night, but thank you Howard Hart for that prayer many years ago.  I hope this day past, you have let your Heavenly Father love on you as only He can with a heart full of compassion and tenderness, bringing you peace and joy in knowing that He is enough. Victory is ours, in Christ Jesus!

Love,
Terri

May God Bless You With Discomfort

A Franciscan Benediction…
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. 


Like Peter, keep knocking! Acts 12:16

God the Entrepreneur

by Terri Denning Rhodes

God creating out of soil.
God forming out of dust.
Is there anything God doesn't use for His own entrepreneurship?

All used in His timing.
All used good and bad.
So what was marred is now decorated with detail and bling.

All to look its' best,
as seen through the creators' eyes.
God the Entrepreneur

One Body

My pastor said, we Christians have let worship separate us.  And God told him, the way we worship is just human preference.  I had thought that many times myself.  This morning, I am reading in 1 Corinthians 12 :12-31 about every believer being a member of Christ's body, with their own special talents.  But it also speaks about "the body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ...whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

This just reinforces for me whether Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, on and on..., as long as we believe in the one true God, who sent His son that lived, died, and rose again, then all Christians are one body in Christ. Just think if we, all Christians as one body in Christ exercised in love the gifts of ministry together, without religious division.  Have we been tricked by the evil one again with separation of forces?  Everyone has heard the saying, "more power in numbers." Maybe we could put a stop to world hunger, human trafficking, and only God knows what else. 

Begin loving on your fellow Christian today.  You know the one with a different opinion and preference as to how he or she likes to worship God. The one you typically want to debate with on that point of how to properly worship. Let God handle those details.   After all, He is God and love is "the most excellent way."