Truefaced

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Identity : Subject title in the guidebook. Go to view my profile and then click Truefaced Guidebook to be able to follow along with the questions.

Monday, May 08, 2006

An Important Part : This book that we are reading together gives us enlightenment and encouragement that helps us dare to be real, with God and others. As we realize what behavior patterns we have developed that work well for hiding how we really feel. When we are able to trust God that how we really feel is not who He says we really are, we dare to take off our masks. Having an awareness that we are accepted, as we are also brings such a reality, that it is the same for others.
Your stuff that you thought would be just , way to much for God to put up with, you find out the truth. No, it is not to much, and , He isn't even thinking ,put up with, He is thinking, I've got it covered, no problem. So it is for others. Their stuff that they are hiding, now you know, it would be so good if they knew, God really loves them like they are. And you know that they do not know that because , they do not seem to know that God loves you, (me) just as I am. My sins He forgives . He really, really,really does. I think that was one of things Job changed after he was restored. You know at the first he was offering up sacrifices all the time for the sins of his family. The Bible doesn't say he did that any more after he was restored. He must have gotten the message, our sins are covered. This line of thought may seem irrelevant to you , unless you are aware that others around you, do sin.
Just what are you suppose to do then ? First place to go would be to realize, their sins are covered, (although the personal choice to accept the covering is up to them.) Next thing would be to realize their sins can't make you lose your salvation. Although it seems to rob us of our joy sometimes. Which is why this little talk about this. Our joy is in our salvation. So why do I lose my joy ? Is it that I haven't learned what Job learned ? Is it that I haven't really understood the sacrifice Jesus made for me on the cross ? Our Guidebook Question about the story of Cain and Abel has really been brought into a new light for me. As I see I do worry about other people's sins, to the point of distraction. As I see other people worry about my sins, to the point of their distraction. Please Heavenly Father, restore unto us the JOY of Thy Salvation. Thank-you for salvation. Thank-you for the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ . Thank-you for His power that can bring every one of my thoughts into the obedience of Christ.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Zeal...zeal...whose got the zeal ?And is it for real ? I know, it rhymes, I think it is called taking literary license. In place of real, put ....is it the kind of zeal that God promotes or produces ? Surely we are not to be without zeal ,but like everything else it needs to be submitted to God. I got bonked on the head this past week. Not by a person, by my hand held hair dryer that was up on a shelf with the cord dangling down. I unknowingly yanked it down on my head. It didn't hurt. Just enough to get my attention. I wondered if telling that people want to bonk people on the head was bad. Then I thought no. Ever notice how many women in the secular T.V. shows go around hitting guys and gals on the head ? I think people may be beginning to take it for granted that it is okay to do that. Sometimes when people make choices that seem to come from a lack of caring whether their choice really is sensible, I suppose wanting to bonk them on the head is kind of a knee jerk reaction . However, how much good does it do ? The real hard question though is , what could you do instead that would do some good ? I think pictures. I could just envision a person doing something stupid and this other person come and bonk them on the head, and then........Yah, the stupid person bonk them back. Oh that would make a good Christian event. I know the person who said, I would bonk them on the head , wasn't serious, but the point is , I don't think she or I know what to do instead. My first thought is bring out the Bible and start reading scripture. If you are at a Christian function that ought to go over good. Then I thought of possible " scripture fights " like you know, I've heard some of these groups love a good debate and argue their point of view to the finish. I am not that kind of person. I think I would read the scripture and then close the meeting. Go home. Come back when you are ready to do it this way. I invited you in, I can ask you to leave. So much for the head bonking.
How do you know if your "zeal" is "right" ? Do you go with the faith that you have a right heart and therefore all you do is going to be right ? No, see I don't think so , because I think this problem with the zeal is why the Psalmist gave this one, about "except the LORD build the house, he who buildeth , buildeth in vain. " "Except the LORD watch the city, the watchman watcheth but in vain."
I think you can do all the right things and really mess up. I have an idea that I am suppose to do something. Actually several somethings. I am really spending some time inviting the LORD to come and build it. I have spent so many years trying to do right and seeing it fall flat down, you can not imagine all the houses I have seen fall down. LORD, You and You alone are going to make this one rise, and I will be behind You , 100% because , wow.....I have a lot of zeal.

Monday, May 01, 2006

IT WAS THE TRUTH IN LOVE ....OUCH About 25 years ago I was full of zeal, and little else. I was sure serving my Jesus my way without concern for others was all I needed to do. I was sure I was right. The church I was going to backed up what I was doing with scripture found in the Holy Bible. One day someone was shocked at what I was doing and walked over and bopped me in the head. I looked at him in shock, then remembered my Christian values and said, "Here, here is the other cheek." He socked me right in the eye. I had a black eye for a week. It took a long time for the message he was trying to get across that day to sink in. My religious zeal kept all truth from my mind. It is amazing what experience can teach you. How merciful Our Lord is to open the eyes of my heart. A hope of really knowing Jesus kept gnawing at me. I knew a relationship with Jesus could be real, I just wasn't doing something right. However, this fellow had truth but not much love (the kind one has from knowing Jesus ) . He just knew what I was doing wasn't right . He didn't care to live his life as an example of what was right.
Fast forward 25 years later. I meet people full of zeal, just like I was. I meet people who would like to bop those people on the head, if they come around them. I am shocked ! Is head bopping scriptural ? Did Paul ever bop anyone on the head ? Well, the zealous religious people pose a problem. Yeah, I know about that. I was a problem for a long , long time. I still have a lot of zeal. How zeal and a sincere hunger for righteousness got mixed up in the same human, I'll never know. Lord,help me love the zealous person, just like You love me. Lord, help me love potential head boppers, just like I know You love them.