A Psalm of sorrow and of praise

When I call upon you, the Living God
I know you will be there, you will show up…you have always been here and you will never leave me.
In a world where disappointments, heartaches, challenges and deception reigns…Lord reign in me, reign on the throne of my heart.
Blot out not only my transgressions but also the distractions of my mind.
Allow me to see the world as you see it and the lost as you see them.
You are mighty Lord, worthy of my all and yet too often I fall…I can hear you call and even then I hesitate.
Lord wipe clean this slate, let me start over for I call out to you and you hear me. I cry to you in my hurts and heart aches. I cry to you in my sleepless nights and in my doubts. Do not be silent Lord. Do not wait any longer. Heal my wounded spirit and breathe your grace, peace and life in me again.

-SEStrissel 05-09-14

May 9, 2014 0

BEWARE: Bitter Feasting and Hardened Hearts

“As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts ….” Hebrews 3:15 (NIV)

This passage is a reference from Psalm 95:7-8. Do we still harden our hearts today?
What does it even mean to “harden our hearts”?

What I understand it to mean is when we allow bitterness to enter into our lives and hearts. When we feel abandoned by God, even when He hasn’t left us, we might be inclined to become angry and bitter. Thus the hardening of our hearts occurs when we turn from anger to a scary emotion of hopelessness and apathy. Perhaps in this swing of emotion and temperament we simply give up. We give up trying, we give up believing and we give up hope.

Beware of the hardened heart!

All of us have feasted on the bitter roots of sorrow, disappointment and anger. Each one of us, if we were honest, have asked the question silently (maybe out loud) “why God?” In that moment of bitter feasting we must recognize a couple of things lest we fall into total despair and experience the totality of a hardened heart.

2 Things:

1. God has not abandoned you!

Your friends, colleagues, organization you work for, neighbors and family may not completely understand. They may not be there for you. In fact some might even let you down or watch you crash and burn (I know positive isn’t it?)…BUT God has not abandoned you! Envision Jesus on the cross. He hung there horrifically dying for the sins of humanity and He cried out “Oh God, my God why have you forsaken me?” Jesus quotes a Psalm of David here (Ps 22:1), yet the human emotion evoked here is very real. Jesus’ humanity is evident, and even in the midst of this He still knows that God hasn’t truly abandoned Him…though it feels like it in His suffering. We may not be hanging on a cross, but we most likely know a thing or two about pain and suffering as well. The pain and suffering we might experience could be physical or emotional and in the midst of these “dark times” we might feel compelled to call out to God and ask Him why He has abandoned us.

Don’t let that emotion or thought cause you to give up hope! Do not allow despair and bitterness to creep in and destroy your faith. God does not abandon His own! He will never leave you or forsake you! (Hebrews 13:5-6) The world around you might try and convince you that He has left you all alone, but don’t buy the lie of the worldly influence. Don’t buy the lie for a moment. Also don’t feel guilty about considering this very human response to pain – Jesus even uttered those words. Pain is not something we wish to keep around us, yet in those moments of severe doubt, depression and pain remember God has NOT abandoned you!

2. SO WHAT?

Do you live with fear? Do you live with pain, discouragement, doubt, sorrow? In the grand scheme of things, these are all fragments of a broken and fallen world in which we live. I don’t mean to paint a picture here of a hopeless world because God created this world so that we could fellowship with Him…there is beauty here and remnants of His initial creation. Yet sin has marred that. Sin and the fallen nature in which we live has brought with it these broken, negative emotions. If we could step back from our problems and our pain for a moment and see Us how God sees us, I believe we could possibly grasp just a glimpse of the love and potential He has for us all. Secondly, God doesn’t want to leave us this way – hopeless and alone; fearful and bound by pain, bitterness and anger. God wants to do a mighty work within us.

We have to be willing to say to our fears and pain – “So what?” When the pain becomes intense, or the depression penetrates us deeply we can look at these blights and say “So what, do you worst, I know in whom I believe!”

The Apostle Paul (while in chains) puts this “So what” principle into perspective for us:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” -Philippians 1:20-27 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul confronts his potential roots of bitterness, anger and despair by saying “whether I live or die I will conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

So what if I die. So what if I experience heart wrenching disappointment in life. So what if I have to go through this pain right now. So what if I am not accepted by others. So what if others don’t see the potential in me that I know is there…SO WHAT?

If I can keep my perspectives clear and understand that all that I do and all that I say should be for the glory of God despite outside influences, then I can avoid this hardening of my heart. This world can’t shake me. I won’t be defined by others who have no interest in helping me develop and further in my personal holiness. I won’t harbor bitterness towards the Savior because I live in a fallen world and often times it’s screwed up – not me.

I am reminded of the chorus “One thing remains, Your love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me!”

2 Principles and a pondering conclusion:

God has NOT abandoned you. He is the same today as yesterday and He will never leave us alone!
So what if the world doesn’t recognize you. So what if you face fears, pain and disappointment? God never fails you!
If Paul could say “so what” to death for the cause of Christ, we too can say “so what” to our troubles.

Some might say, “well that’s easier said then done”…of course it is. This will never be easy. This will be the hardest thing we ever have to do, yet if we can rise above these temporal issues we will find the strength to make it through!

Don’t harden your heart! Don’t allow the father of lies to convince you that no one cares. Don’t become consumed with apathy and despair. Don’t feast on those roots of bitterness any longer. Beware of its trappings, cling to these two important principles and wait on God to provide His salve to your life.

-Just a pondering for you today!

May 8, 2014 0

“Trust Issues”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NIV)

Confession time: I have trust issues. I am on a road trip today. There are many miles to go before we sleep (thank you Robert Frost) and currently I am in the backseat. This is not my seat of choice. Truth be told I would much rather sit in the driver’s seat. My preference of seat choice isn’t because I don’t like the backseat, it is because I have trust issues. I would rather drive because I trust my own abilities over other people, even those close to me (sorry honey).

Is this trust issue rational? No. But it is my issue, my bane, my crutch.

Can you relate?

Do you have trust issues as well? On a spiritual level how much do you trust God? Do you have trust issues with Him? Is it hard for you to let go of the control you have over your life?

You are NOT alone!

How can we learn to trust?

Look back at your life. Have you experienced God’s blessings? Can you count your blessings. Those are gifts from God. He is faithful to you and to me. The Psalm referenced above refers to an understanding that is not our own.

So what happens when we stop leaning on our own understanding and instead lean on God’s?

–we find a remedy for our trust issues

Here is a realization that we must all come to if we are to overcome our trust issues : we do not know it all!. We don’t know what tomorrow holds -God does.

You know that phrase “Let Go and Let God?” I must admit that I’m not a big fan of this phrase. It’s not because it isn’t true, it’s because it requires me to relinquish my assumed control over MY life.

Do you have trust issues with God? You and me… We’re in the same boat. If we are to overcome this trust issue, we need to start off slowly and let go of an inch of our life at a time and give it all to God. It will take time, but don’t discount the power of the Holy Spirit to help you as you attempt to let go.

-Just a thought.

May 5, 2014 0

“Perspectives” Day 5 – Featuring Timothy McPherson “Vulnerable”

Vulnerable

I’m an introvert. I once saw this Internet meme and thought it was hilarious and aptly described me:

I do not like exposing myself to too much scrutiny, examination, and prominence. It’s a protective measure. I don’t like getting hurt emotionally.

Those who know me and have seen me voice my opinions on Social Media would beg to differ. I tend to be quite “vocal” in my online presence; more so than I would have ever had the courage to do so in public. I have no scientific data to support my claim, but sometimes I feel the Internet, and especially Social Media, makes extroverts of introverts. It’s almost like a buffer zone for me. I am able to think, process, and then articulate my thoughts and feelings regarding various topics.

If you know me outside of Social Media, you might tend to view me as very reserved. This sometimes has gotten interpreted as being stuck up. While I was at our College for Officer Training (seminary) my now-wife was advised not to get to know me because I was too intellectual and too theological for her. I am very grateful that she did not heed that advice!

That being said, I love to preach. I love to teach. Standing up before a crowd or being part of a discussion group brings out what little extroversion I possess. However, since I am an introvert, releasing all of that mental muscle to expose myself before a group of people always leaves me exhausted afterwards. I retreat, find a book, or go to sleep.

The Problem

Enter the plight of the introverted clergy. We can get very lonely.

Perhaps a common misconception is that introverts don’t want friends. This is not true in the least. For myself: I do want friends. Sometimes it’s a desperate longing. Then the inner battle of introversion begins: being vulnerable versus not being lonely. It can be a bitter struggle. Often times, I feel surrounded by a group of strangers who are watching my every move and hoping for a misstep.

In my case, my self-defense became too bitter and overran my life. I had no one (other than my wife) with whom I could express my fears, frustrations, joys, sorrows, accomplishments (or the lack thereof). I hated it. However, I was not willing to open myself up to the possibility that friendship is possible with others. My marriage suffered. My ministry suffered. I was a living hypocrite talking about loving my neighbor when I had the hardest time doing it myself. I began to look at myself repugnantly. I hated who I had become and began to hate myself.

My walls of defense had kept me safe for a little while, but in the end, they crumbled and collapsed on top of me. I was a mess.

The Hard Lesson

I realized (very slowly) that I needed to change. I began to open myself up to others. It was an arduous task. Protecting my own insecurity had led to my downfall. There were other factors mixed in that made things extremely difficult, but I at least could control my friendships. Finally, I decided to open up.

That has helped me out extremely. Trust is hard for me to give out. I had been hurt too often in the past, but then I realized that the benefits of trusting people far outweigh the hurts that I might otherwise receive from those who would betray my trust. I am by no means out of the woods and I need to continually improve myself. One of the most difficult things for me to do is to make friends in my own community. Being an officer in The Salvation Army tends to be isolating. There seems to be an unspoken rule that fraternizing is not allowed. However, I believe that actually goes against God’s command to love each other as we love him.

Being vulnerable to others is a discipline that I am still learning. I hope someday to be proficient at it. I will always be an introvert, but I don’t have to be a lonely one.

May 2, 2014 2

Perspectives Day 1 Featuring John Mowers (Major) -” A Testimony From a Jar of Clay”

A Testimony from a Jar of Clay

“You have pulmonary sarcoidosis.” The doctor said it like I should know what that meant. He then asked me if I’d ever heard of sarcoidosis. I replied “only on TV” – that it is always the wrong diagnosis on the popular television drama, House, M.D.

What it meant was that the chronic shortness of breath that I had been experiencing had a cause, and I would have to begin taking a strong steroid medication to control it and prevent the spread to other organs. I recall how anxious I began to feel. Nobody told me that the medication itself would heighten my sense of anxiety or that coming off the medication would induce feelings of depression. But I made it through the 15 months or so of treatment, although I put on 40 pounds of extra weight. I felt well enough to ask to return to corps work for the last four years of my officership. I’d been stationed at Training Colleges for 11 years and I wanted to pastor a corps again. So we were transferred to a corps in crisis. I plunged into the pastoral care and preaching and administration that mark a large corps totally confident that we were where God wanted us to be. Just to be safe I found a new doctor in the new city and started regular checkups. Soon I was feeling the familiar shortness of breath and asked for some tests to be run.

Less than two years after my original diagnosis, a new doctor confirmed that the sarcoidosis was indeed worse and announced that the disease had progressed to stage four – meaning unlikely to respond to treatment. “What can we do, doc?” I asked hopefully. He shrugged and opined that I would be too old, too fat, and ineligible for a lung transplant due to the complicating pulmonary arterial hypertension I’d developed. I began having to use oxygen at night and then for the exertion of strenuous activity. Within three months strenuous activity included showering and tying my shoes.

As a corps officer, preaching had been one of my passions. I had to give up a lot of direct programming because I couldn’t keep up with the kids. I had to give up playing in the Corps Band, and sometimes singing with Songsters. But my preaching had been unaffected. Somehow, each Sunday, God gave me the strength to preach the message I’d developed and crafted. Until the Sunday after Easter.

All morning long I struggled; I couldn’t catch my breath. Usually I put the oxygen tank aside to preach but I knew I couldn’t do so that morning. So I swallowed my pride and informed the congregation that I would be preaching with the cannula hose attached to a portable oxygen tank. Then I made a joke that the noises from the valve make sounds like Darth Vader breaths.

Somehow I got through that message and people seemed to have been helped and blessed. As I reflected on what God may have been saying to me on that Sunday, the fourth chapter of 2^nd Corinthians came to mind and I read again verse 7:

⁷But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

I guess I would have a right to be embarrassed if I failed to deliver the powerful message I’d crafted — if that message had been from me. But God had laid the issues on my heart. He had inspired the scripture I was expositing. If power happens to leak out during the sermon, it is his power, his choice. I am a vessel – a clay pot.

Paul goes on in verse 16:

¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

My outer man had seen better days. The wasting away had begun in earnest. This disease took away my freedom, my natural powers, my dignity. What I needed was the inner renewal because I seemed to be more prone to lose heart. I mourned my losses and sometimes was depressed. I felt so selfish – me, me, my, my, I.

But God gives the blessing of seeing his power at work in the words he has inspired me to preach. My sermons seemed to help people. I preached in Spanish at a Hispanic corps, and two seekers made their way to the altar. As I reflected on that morning, I recalled what Paul heard from the Lord when he begged for his “thorn” to be removed (also in 2^nd Corinthians):

⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me… For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV)

I couldn’t boast about my weaknesses yet. I needed some more grace for that. But I experienced from time to time the soothing of renewal of my inner being (2 Cor. 2:16). It wasn’t a magic bullet that killed my doubt and depression with a single shot.

The future seemed to be certain for me – irreversible lung damage and an early “promotion to glory.” Ironically like an episode of House MD, further testing revealed that the disease wasn’t sarcoidosis, rather a fibrosis disease within the lungs, and there was no cure. We had to retire early. We moved to Texas so that when I died, Nancy would be with our daughter, Jennifer. We attend the Dallas Temple Corps where I was able to help with the Hispanic Ministry teaching the Spanish Sunday School class.

My new doctor in Texas surprised me when he urged me to consider a transplant. Remember that the Michigan doctor had told me I was ineligible for a lung transplant, but this hospital used different criteria. I was approved for transplant in January, 2014, and received a bilateral (double) lung transplant two weeks later.

My recovery has been amazing. I don’t need supplemental oxygen. I can speak without shortness of breath. I can sing again.

I take medications that suppress my immune system and leave me open to infection, flu, and colds, all very dangerous when one has a compromised immune system. Nothing is certain. My body may yet reject the transplanted lungs. There is no guarantee that I’ll be able to continuing preaching and teaching.

But I am convinced of this — that God uses jars of clay – the power is his, not mine. He decides when and how it comes out. And I am so grateful for God’s great grace.

Major John Mowers

April 6, 2014

The Colony, TX, USA.

April 28, 2014 3

TOUGH QUESTION: Do you REALLY know your Enemy?

Matthew 5:43-45 …“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.…”

April 24, 2014 0

TV Review of CW’s “The 100”

I’m a sucker for Science Fiction television shows. If you’re anything like me then perhaps you have your DVR set to record many offerings within this genre too. I’m still upset after all these years that they canceled Firefly

I digress:

The new television show “The 100” follows a group of young people (It’s like Peter Pan’s “Lost Boys” meets “Lord of the Flies”) who apparently were all imprisoned for being rebellious while on Earth’s final hope, the space station, which has been orbiting Earth for nearly a hundred years.

Earth nearly destroyed itself through nuclear war and those who survived on the Space station currently don’t even know if Earth is able to sustain life yet. So they send the prisoners…oh here’s one more catch – the Space Station is quickly degrading and running out of oxygen. The population on the Space station has outgrown the original design of sustaining life.

back to the prisoners –

They are sent to earth in a space pod (wow they can fit a hundred people in that thing? that must be cramped!) and each of the 100 has been given a vital signs life tracker on their wrist.

The adventure begins and the world isn’t as empty as they once suspected. There are others living on the ground that ironically the 100 pod-people label “grounders” (how original).

Long review short –
There is suspense. The directors and creators of the show ensure that you are clinging to your seat and take nothing for granted because ANYTHING could happen. Sure, it’s a teen/young adult catered audience…most actors look like aeropostale or abercrombe and fitch models…but death and betrayal permeate the plot like a pair of stinky gym socks in a locker-room.

Society and Culture:

For me, one the underlying themes of this show is that anarchy reigns within the 100 although there are a few trying to keep the order and peace. Some have their own selfish agendas, some are power hungry, and some are just psychopathic killers…this really bodes well for us on post-apocalyptic Earth! Another message – don’t trust a bunch of teenagers and young adults with an important mission to go to Earth in the hopes of saving the human race. As a matter of fact don’t trust ANY of these (or many) of these “criminals”.

It is rather telling that the Adults in Space also have ulterior motives, plots lead to real curve balls and just when you think you figured out where the writer is taking the story you get kicked to the curb.

Conclusion:

If you like a little drama/soap opera with a Science-fiction flair then perhaps you’ll like this show. One word of caution though, the writers seem intent of killing off numerous characters as the episodes continue so don’t get too invested in many of the sub-characters because anything could happen. It’s a roller-coaster sort of ride, there is some adult themes from time to time so parents please be advised!

My grade – I give it a

But what do I know, I’m just a Sci-fi Junkie who is still bitter Firefly was canceled.
let me know what YOU think, respond below with your comments. I’m interested in your television recommendations and thoughts.

April 24, 2014 0

Beware of the Relapse

“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” –2 Corinthians 11:3

Christ-follower beware!

Salvation
is freely available…BUT

It
can
be

We have
this thing
called

Free Will
allows us to
choose It allows us to
live beneath God’s

Here is
a
Truth:
A Relapse

into

is a very
real
Danger!

It begins in our Hearts
&
Minds.

A Saint (that’s You & Me)
is still

to the
trappings

Don’t
be
swept
away
by it’s lure
and its
sultry voice.

Stand Firm…
Meditate
on

Do Not
become Prideful
and think for
one second You are
Invulnerable!

Spiritual
Relapse
is very
real!

so….

Just
more of this
Pastor’s

April 24, 2014 0

Reasons why I dislike waiting on God…but…

“Wait on the Lord…and He shall strengthen your heart.” (Psalm 27:14)

The Reasons I dislike waiting on God:

1. I am impatient.

I am not the most patient man. My children know this. I must temper this very often when things are not done now. We live in a fast paced society, it is “fast-food” driven. We even have slogans from these “fast-food” establishments that back that claim up like “have it your way”.

When it comes to waiting on God I am not patient. I often want Him to answer me now. I want instant responses and yet I know He doesn’t work like that.

2. Waiting on God reminds me of how powerless I truly am.
Besides impatience, this waiting reminds me that I live in a temporal body and ultimately I can do nothing in this body to save my self from some certainties in life. Death, sickness (in some regards), Taxes, laws of our world. I am powerless and yet I must wait with that knowledge in mind. Perhaps you can relate to me when I say that I am stubborn…are you? In my stubbornness I, at times, refuse to admit that I cannot do something. I must do the impossible. I must becomes Superman and superdad, and superpastor…but when I am forced to slow down; when I am forced to wait on God I am reminded of just how powerless I truly am.

3. Waiting on God humbles me…it’s a matter of pride.
I just mentioned how stubborn I can be. To ask for help from God and then having to wait for an answer can be a serious blow to my pride. I’m just putting it out there…I can admit that pride is ~~sometimes~~ often a bane of mine. I am proud of what I can do. Proud of what I can accomplish. I am proud that I am self-sufficient…and then BAM, I am knocked to my knees again. Circumstances sometimes do not go my way, things I had planned don’t pan out, and I am humbled by the outcome. Can you relate? I sure hope so. Please tell me I’m not alone in this human failing. I dislike this waiting, at times, because it means I have much more to surrender in terms of my pride to God.

BUT…

This isn’t a bad thing.
When I have to discipline my children, it’s not because I hate them or want to harm them, it is because I love them deeply and I want them to grow and make better decisions next time.

This is sometimes why I find God will at times take His time in answering me. He wants me to make better decisions. He wants me to depend more on Him. He wants me to tear down the fortresses of pride that I have erected and are now keeping me from Him. The waiting isn’t because He is withholding His love from me…no, the waiting is because He loves me so much He wants me to be willing to surrender completely. I dislike it severely at times (honestly It’s sometimes a “hate” thing), yet I know He loves me so much that He will not forget me. He will not forsake me.

FOR YOU AND FOR ME:

Truth: waiting sucks! There I said it.
But in the waiting on God the discipline of surrender and humility can further shape us. In the waiting we can also learn to trust Him more. In this waiting we can learn to love Him and discover how much He loves us.

-Just another thing for us to ponder.

April 23, 2014 1

Heaven is for real…and so are we! (Don’t be a blind label follower)

I wouldn’t attempt to criticize “Christian” movies coming out onto the silver screen. I think perhaps they have a message that might reach certain people. Take the most recent movie, for example – “Heaven is for real” based on the book and real life account of Colton Burpo:

I am certainly not in a place to judge the authenticity of his story, this isn’t my purpose for this blog entry. I recognize too that Heaven is for real. That when Jesus said that He was going there to prepare a place for us (starting with His original disciples) that He meant it. Life does not end at the final exhalation of breath, but continues…How or where that will be is still a mystery to us all. But here is where faith comes in.

Still…

I don’t draw my criticism of the content of this story nor the content of other such movies recently released that also have faith-based themes. Where my criticisms lie is in the cheap budgets and production content.

I understand the need to be relevant in the world…and I don’t necessarily go to see a movie just because it is labeled “Christian” just as I don’t necessarily patronize certain businesses because they also happen to be “Christian(s)”. Does that label make the product better in some way? Will their services far exceed the services of others who don’t label themselves as “Christians”?

Another thought that comes to mind within this realm of “Christian” labeling is: Do I solely live within a “Christian” bubble then?

Every where I go, everyone I see, the things I choose to buy are they all “Christian”? Is my worldview solely engaged in other Christians out there so much so that I have no contact…with “those“. “Other“. “People“. ????

Don’t get me wrong, I need to hear encouraging and challenging teachings about Christ and about faith too, but what happens next? What will I then do with those teachings if my entire ecosystem is “Christian”? How does that impact the lost? How can I reach out a compassionate hand of understanding…if I don’t understand?

I’m not knocking the movie “Heaven is for Real”…I think there is some serious merit in exploring Eternity and our destination there one day…but what I am knocking (for lack of a better word) are Blind Label Followers.

Ephesians 6:12 says – “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

This is sandwiched right in between the verses about putting on the whole armor of God.
In one hand we put on our armor and gird ourselves against sin, temptation and the dark forces of evil. In the other hand we recognize that people around us who are lost (as we once were) are not the enemy! Sin is the enemy and we wage a spiritual war within this world.

If we only exist within the “Christian” label ecosystem how can we reach out to those who are completely blind to sin and its trappings?

Here’s what I am not saying:
I am not saying stop watching strictly “Christian” movies…there’s a time and place for them and at times an active evangelistic tool.
I am not saying don’t buy anything “Christian” either…that’s just plain dumb and we need edification and challenge through authentic Christ-following authors and teachers.

What I am saying:
Break the Christian bubble if you’re living in one.
Reach out into the world (don’t be conformed to it mind you) and love as Christ did to the whosoever.
Be wise and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in discerning how you should act and be instead of living through “group think”.
Live out-loud your faith but take the time to listen to the needs of the unsaved around you!

-Just a thought.

ATTENTION: Join me tomorrow as I explore what others have said about seeing Jesus face to face.

Just something else to ponder.

April 21, 2014 1

Category: Faith Ponderings

A Psalm of sorrow and of praise

BEWARE: Bitter Feasting and Hardened Hearts

“Trust Issues”

“Perspectives” Day 5 – Featuring Timothy McPherson “Vulnerable”

Perspectives Day 1 Featuring John Mowers (Major) -” A Testimony From a Jar of Clay”

TOUGH QUESTION: Do you REALLY know your Enemy?

TV Review of CW’s “The 100”

Beware of the Relapse

Reasons why I dislike waiting on God…but…

Heaven is for real…and so are we! (Don’t be a blind label follower)

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