take a look at yourself and then make a change

"The Man In The Mirror" by Michael Jackson

"I'm gonna make a change
For once in my life
It's gonna feel real good
Gonna make a difference
Gonna make it right

As I turned up the collar on
My favorite winter coat
This wind is blowin' my mind
I see the kids in the street
With not enough to eat
Who am I to be blind
Pretending not to see their need

A summer's disregard
A broken bottle top
And a one man's soul
They follow each other on the wind, ya know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change
I've been a victim of
A selfish kinda love
It's time that I realize
There are some with no home
Not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me
Pretending that they're not alone

A willow deeply scarred
Somebody's broken heart
And a washed out dream (washed out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind, ya see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change"

It starts with me.

a fresh start

Happy New Year!

"It's Your Life"  Francesca Battistelli

"It's your life
What you gonna do?
The world is watching you
Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for
It's an open door
It's your life

Are you who you always said you would be?
With a sinking feeling in your chest
Always waiting for someone else to fix you
Tell me when did you forget

To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be one that lights the way"

Every day we get a  fresh start.  Every day when we awake from sleep and put our feet onto the ground, we have a new opportunity to reboot our lives.  Every day we get to make a choice to move forward, to remain in place or to take steps back.

Each of the choices we make provide an oportunity for reflection, consideration and revision. Was it the right choice? Should I do it differently next time? Was it the best I could do? Did I hit the mark in front of me (the mark that honors God)?

"Every day the choices you make
Say what you are and who
Your heart beats for"

We were created for a specific purpose or purposes, with a definite, designed and achievable target. God put us here for a reason. When we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit of God, we will find ourselves moving in the correct direction.

I have made a lot of mistakes in my life, some recoverable and some not.  Some of the choices I made for myself and for my family were certainly not the wisest choices I could have made.  I'd like to go back and fix the outcomes of those unwise choices; sometimes we get that chance, sometimes not.  Choices that affect others may not always be fixable.  Our imprint on the lives of others tends to be indelible.  We can leave broken hearts, minds and bodies in our wake or we can bless others on the paths we cross or walk alongside.  I've done both.

"To live the way that you believe
This is your opportunity
To let your life be one that lights the way"

I want to be the "one that lights the way".  I want "to live the way that you believe".

Every day I get a new chance to make a fresh start putting yesterday behind me and moving forward.

"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Phillipians 3:13-14 (NASB)

Guided by the Holy Spirit and God's Word, I can begin each day with a renewed purpose and push to achieve that which God has set before me.  I can step onto a renewed path, picking up dropped pieces, pressing forward. 

Please show your support for your local Police by lighting your house entry blue January 2-4, 2015.

blind eyes opened by the Spirit of God

"I try to explain to you the joy of following Christ: the thrill, the excitement, the exhilaration—knowing where I’ve come from, why I’m here, where I’m going! There’s a reason for existence. There’s a reason for getting up every morning of the year. I try to tell you what I’ve found in Jesus Christ, and in studying the Scriptures and walking with Him, and you say, “I can’t see that!” Of course, you can’t. You are blind. Try to explain television to a blind man. He can understand a little of it, but it doesn’t make sense to him. Try to explain a sunset to him. He’s blind to it. The scales must be removed from your eyes, and only Christ can do that. He can remove them right now and you can start living and seeing a whole new world that you never knew existed, if you will let Him open your spiritual eyes."  ~ Billy Graham

The blind cannot see that which is just before them.  It simply is not possible.  So it is with the things of God. 

"But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised."  1 Corinthians 2:14

We waste our time in trying to convince a natural man of the things of God; he is simply not able to see through natural eyes and with a natural mind.  Evangelism is a tool to announce the Word, using the Word and preceded and followed by prayer.  We tell them what we know and we faithfully wait for the Holy Spirit to open their eyes.

"And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.  And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."  Mark 10:51-52

In the interim, we try not to become jaded, frustrated, angered, rejected or dejected by the darkness of the world around us.  It is what it is, the blind leading the blind.


"Stay away from those Pharisees! They are like blind people leading other blind people, and all of them will fall into a ditch."  Matthew 15:14 

the thin blue line

It saddens me to hear otherwise logical folks spewing hate for the police in general, because of the acts or perceived acts of a few.  I know of no group of people (police, doctors, students, retailers, farmers, soldiers,  etc..) who are composed of perfect people and every group of folks contains people who make mistakes, purposefully or otherwise.  I know of no person living on this earth who is perfect, who has never done something wrong, or who has never made a mistake.

During my short time as a Sheriff’s Deputy, I witnessed mistakes, bad judgement calls and blatant stupidity on the part of brother LEOs.  I also witnessed heroism, compassion, kindness, generosity and sacrifice, far more of the later than the former.  The average Law Enforcement officer is underpaid, overworked and walking the line in one of the most dangerous and stressful jobs on this planet.  The average Officer does this willingly, purposefully and will put his life in harms way for you on a daily basis, and ask nothing from you in return.

Yes, we all have the right to form our own opinions in this country and the right to peaceful protest.  That right was won for you by the men and women of the armed forces and is protected and guarded for you by the men and women of Law Enforcement in your community.

Christian Classics Ethereal Library

The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a digital library of classic Christian books for edification and education.  http://www.ccel.org

The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching

"When Christ Jesus comes as king, he will be the judge of everyone, whether they are living or dead. So with God and Christ as witnesses, I command you to preach God's message. Do it willingly, even if it isn't the popular thing to do. You must correct people and point out their sins. But also cheer them up, and when you instruct them, always be patient.   The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear.   They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories.   But you must stay calm and be willing to suffer. You must work hard to tell the good news and to do your job well."   ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Choosing the devil?

"Students today want to know about the devil, about witchcraft, about the occult. Many people do not know they are turning to Satan. They are being deluded because, according to Jesus Christ, Satan is the father of lies and the greatest liar of all times. He is called a deceiver. In order to accomplish his purpose, the devil blinds people to their need of Christ. Two forces are at work in our world—the forces of Christ and the forces of the devil—and you are asked to choose."  ~ Billy Graham

It's no mystery; turn your back on God and you are following Satan. There is no middle ground.
 
"Jesus answered: If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and only from him. He sent me. I did not come on my own.   Why can't you understand what I am talking about? Can't you stand to hear what I am saying?   Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies.   Everything I have told you is true, and you still refuse to have faith in me.   Can any of you accuse me of sin? If you cannot, why won't you have faith in me? After all, I am telling you the truth.   Anyone who belongs to God will listen to his message. But you refuse to listen, because you don't belong to God."   John 8:42-47

why do we gather together on Sunday morning?

Act 2:40-47 (NASB)
"And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!"  So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.  They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.  And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.  Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."

Why do we gather together on Sunday morning?

Heb 10:23-25 (NASB)
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near"

• Our hearts and minds are renewed, refreshed, upon hearing messages and teachings from those appointed with spiritual gifts.

• Our hearts are gladdened by joining together in praise and worship, in song and in prayer.

• We are held and seen accountable by our brothers and sisters

• Frequent gathering serves to strengthen and discipline us in our faith, we are designed as a corporate body of believers to share and strengthen each other.  We have different gifts and the "church" works when all gifts are utilized.

• We are reminded of the needs of our bothers and sisters, not only here, but those who are far off

• We are reminded of the needs and sufferings of the world

• We learn new concepts, scriptures and understandings that otherwise might not come to mind so readily and easily.  We are exhorted, as the Body of Christ, to cling to the truth.

• God enjoys the praises of his people and we are able to join in the praises of our fellow believers

• It is a Christian tradition 

• Gathering with like minded believers pleases God.
  

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB)
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

1 Timothy 4:13 (NASB)
"Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching."

2 Timothy 4:1-4 (NASB)
"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths."

Romans 12:2-8 (NASB)
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.   For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.     For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function,  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.   Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."

Psalm 150 (NASB)

"Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. 
Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals. 
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!"


I found the the following articles of interest while researching this topic.

Why Go to Church?

5 Reasons to Attend Church Regularly

SUNDAY IS NOT THE SABBATH DAY

Vote for unbelieving judges?

As a follower of Jesus, shall I cast a vote for anyone who does not also follow Him as Lord?

At every level of government, we place men and women who create and enforce laws.  Shall I vote for anyone who does not follow after God and profess Jesus as Lord?

1 Corinthians 6:4-6 NASB

So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?