To Turn To God?

We read a lot in The Bible about "Turning" to God.
For some of us turning to God will be a slowerprocess than for others. We each, when called by God are given an opportunity to accept Him and then a measure of Faith when we do, either much or little or of some amount of faith anyway.

For those of us who are weaker in Faith, try to think of "Turning" to God somewhat like trying to turn a large ocean liner at sea going full speed. It takes time for that ship (Us) to turn around. Like the Titanic, we try to turn ourselves around (Like we are in control!) while going too fast, but we only have a very small rudder (Our Faith or Will). And, if we are such kind of people who have lived long in sinful ways we too can (And usually do) hit the Ice berg and sink. But, if we slow down, even a small rudder can slowly help turn us around back to God.

I've been such a person much of my life. It has taken me a very long time, and I still feel I'm turning. The point is to just begin. Take time to slow down and draw near to God and He will draw near to you. He will turn you around in His time and His way with Jesus at the helm if you let Him.

Remember that old story about "The Tortoise and the Hare"? (I believe it was a Aesop's Fable long ago). Do you remember (If you read it) who won the race? Slow and steady Turtle won and he didn't let Rabbit or anyone else stop him with their jokes and criticisms about him. Well, being a Christian to me is a lot like that story!

Now, I do not want to sound flippant or boastful. But, the fact is, that I can't help what I write about. I really do not even like to write! But, I have to do it. I avoid writing at almost any cost, but for me, I know it is The Holy Spirit making me write. He is like a giant that bursts into my home, grabs hold of me  and forces me to write. It's kind of like that old joke that says, "When you dance with a Gorilla you don't stop until the Gorilla is done dancing." So, likewise, The Holy Spirit is a lot like that Gorilla for me when writing.

Also, rarely do member's of God's true Family grow up under the same roof. Even Jesus' half-Brothers, James and Jude and it seems none of his Half-Sisters (But the Bible doesn't really say about them) and even His Step-Father and His Mother Mary didn't quite understand Him for a long time. Later, His Mother Mary and James and Jude believed He was the Christ. But, while Jesus walked the earth among that generation no one really fully believed him much. Even His disciples has doubts of His Divinity.

Jesus spent His life on earth misunderstood, doubted, rejected and friendless by people. Most of the people just wanted something from Him in a material way, like a miracle, food, healing or rescue from the Roman's. Some did believe, but would not do what He said (Like Nicodemus) for fear of public disapproval. From what I read only John, one of the twelve really loved Him. He was the only one present at the crucifixion (Along with His Mother Mary and Mary Magdalene it seems).

So are you feeling lost? Desperate? Don't know what to do? Empty inside when you look into your mirror? Do you feel like God isn't answering your prayers and He seems distant? I hear that a lot.

Well, welcome to our World of the Church of Christ! We are only human now and this earth is not our home. All men and women throughout the history of the Holy Bible Scriptures have felt and asked these kinds of "Why" questions. We are no different, in fact, we are right where God wants us to be for now and feeling and having troubles as He decides necessary to purify us and reward us later. We are already SAVED! Please do not forget that! (John 3:16). But, trouble is OFTEN the Way toward The Kingdom of God. So, don't think you are being picked on! You are being made perfect (In fact, God already sees you as perfect in Heaven). What God began He WILL finish! And it is GOOD! You may not like the way you are or feel or do or say or think or anything about what you are going through right now. And you may not even understand it at all (I know I don't). But, remember, Jesus above anyone or anything has already suffered more than we can imagine to rescue, redeem and save us. He can turn your ship around and make even your present existence better.

PATIENCE is important. Perseverance is important in spite of seemingly real appearances that all is not well. Reach down deep within yourself and TRUST that God IS leading you to a fantastic future! That is a FACT! Hold on to that. Abraham was over one-hundred years old when God called him. Moses was around 80. Just read what they accomplished and they were pretty human too. Made awful mistakes too! But, in God's sight they were (As we are) righteous because of their Faith in Him. And God always showed up eventually and blessed them all. He will you also.

So, do not worry it only cause you and other's harm. Jesus will (And has) save you and turn your ship back to the Father God (Maybe it's even sinking like He did for His disciples on the Sea of Galilee during that storm way back then). In Fact, He already did save you 2000 years ago, but you may not yet know it! Stay close in prayer, trust and obey Him and your life and yes, your suffering, will have a future and a hope and a meaning and purpose!

Our Church For Fools

I just returned from one of our local church Christmas celebration services. The children sang a nice song, a young woman sang a nice cowboy tune about Christmas and the congregation sang the usual Christmas songs, "Star of Bethlehem" and "Three wise kings".
Then, the senior pastor started talking about John chapter 1 and moved back to Matthew Chapter 1-2 about Jesus's birth.I left then because it was the typical "Baby stuff" for Christians. I've heard it a thousand times and it does not move me to worship the true event of the Bible.

I also noticed how feminine everything was (Not that I am anti female) but because it did not appeal to me or to men. Even the church decor was all feminine. Not one item showed that Jesus was a man.
So, why would a guy like me, or any guy who is a sinner want to look and listen to mushy feminine stuff? What I need (And I think other men need) is a manly Christ to identify with and communicate with. We need His forgiveness, and acceptance as men who fall far short of the obedience Christ taught. So many men (And and Woman) still drink, smoke and do other stuff that is obviously not practices that God would like. We admit it. But, we still love God. And, we know we are not like Christ yet and far from it! I am only trying to find some honest people who are like me.

I need to know that foolish people like me are really trying to find God in a real way despite my messed up ways of living. Where are all the other sick and messed up people who need Jesus? I can not seem to find them in our local church congregations. I'm sure, like me, some of us are going to local churches seeking God's help, forgiveness, love and acceptance, but if you are a man anyway, they just don't seems to fill the empty void within you.

I don't know about you guys (And maybe gals) but, what I need is a place where I can go even if I am drunk (Now, I'm in recovery), loaded or even clean and sober and hear that God still loves and accepts me just as I am at present. That's what Jesus did when He was here on earth 2000 years ago. He made it a priority to call, spend His time a lot with and use people who were outcast from society.

I'm a social outcast too. I don't make friend's easily nor do I conform well to organized religion or other social institutions. But, the way I read the Bible, God loves the outcasts the most because they need saving the most. In fact, Jesus as God's Son incarnate came to earth to rescue and save people who were messed up like me(And maybe you).

So, why do our churches seem to cater to and encourage conformity to being nicely dressed, nicely pleasant to each other? If a person enters a church nowadays drunk or dressed poorly or who smells badly they are usually avoided. Isn't that Hypocrisy?

In my church group all people are welcome and we show in action that we care for them. We go out of our way and take the time from our schedules to make sure that they are treated equal and are respected and have their basic living needs met. We share everything we have among us as did the early church did. Also, we don't exclude people who have wealth or dress well either. To us, all are respected if we have a unity of purpose to help our fellow suffering Brothers and Sisters (Believer's or not) to endure the hardships of this life so to bring them to the future coming Kingdom of God.

The only problem we have is room for all the needy. But, that is only a temporary problem, because we are trying to teach people that once they have God's Holy Spirit to move outward to their communities to make disciples for Christ (The Great Commission). We do not want to be just a Christian day care center. What we want is for broken people who know Christ to move out with the "Good News" of Jesus Christ.

And, that is all we are about.

The Mayan End of Time Day is Over!

Well, well, well!
It seems that another false prophesy from paganism failed today!
The Mayan Calendar predicted that December 21, 2012 would end the age on earth. Well, then why are we still here?
Jesus said that there would be many such false prophets and predictions. Read in the Holy Bible Matthew Chapter 24.
Also, read Daniel chapters 7 and 12, Isiah 13:10; 34:4, Zech. 12 and Rev. chapters 1, 6, and 7. These ought to get you started in the truth.
I am never surprised by such false predictions of man. Remember Y2K? And, so many people claiming a date for the end of the world in recent years? All lies! Only the Father God knows the time when Jesus will return and the new Kingdom of God and New Earth and the New Jerusalem Capital City will come. Will you be there to see it? I pray and hope so. God will save you if you ask Him.

Are The "Holiday's" Holy?

These are the days many people are preparing for the "Christmas" and "New Year" celebrations. For those of you living in the Western Judeo-Christian cultures, Christmas will be celebrated on December 25, 2012. And, for those of you living in the Eastern Judeo-Christian cultures Christmas will be celebrated on January 7, 2013 (Eastern Orthodox). For the rest of the world there will be no celebration at all on these days.

So, what is it we in the west and east Christian cultures are celebrating on those days? We both call it "Christmas" or "New Year's" in our own languages. But, just what does that mean? What truth or facts are inherent in the idea and celebration of these two so called, "Holidays"? Have you ever wondered why we have them or where they came from? Do they mean anything or are they just for fun?

Could it be possible that Christmas and New Year celebrations are in fact evil? Oh boy! Now I've got your attention!

Evil? Well, one does not often hear or associate that term with our so called, "Holiday Season." However, I submit in fact that it is true and they are evil. That in fact, they are Pagan in origin. That in fact, they are hated by God. That in fact, they are manmade idols and have nothing to do with God, Jesus Christ or what is Holy or part of the true Church.

Many people do not know the truth yet. Many do know but celebrate them anyway but by using human rationalizations and self-justifications. Most people just observe them because they were taught to or like to observe traditions of men. Some people mix all these with Christian religion. But, all these ideas and acts are in fact misunderstandings of the Truth. And, the Truth is, they have nothing to do with Jesus Christ!

You do not have to be a Christian or even a believer in God to understand the origins and history behind these so called, "Holidays." But, you do have to be a Christian (A disciple student follower) of Jesus Christ to really understand the Truth. For most people, Truth is not what we want. For most people, lies are what we like best. Lies are seemingly more fun than Truth. So, the lie that Christmas and New Year (And many other celebrated days of the year) have truth in  "The Way" of Christ seems easier to believe and do than what is True and what God wants and pleases Him. And what does God want and what pleases Him? But, to love Him, Worship Him and do good; to have a "Heart" for God and not for idols. But, these so called "Holiday's" are in fact idols.

Am I saying not to celebrate these days? No, go on ahead and do it. They mean nothing to God even though He hates them and they are meaningless to Him. God still loves you anyway!

The primary point I wish to make is that doing evil brings evil consequences, just as doing good brings good consequences. To celebrate evil pagan days will bring evil consequences. And, that is what most people are doing on those days.

Now, I challenge anyone who calls themselves a Christian to comment on what I have written. We can prove that the human assumptions are not based on The Word of God, if you in truth want to know. And, I expect all my Melancholy temperament types of disciples to reply!