Ramblings Of A Ragamuffin

Obama

2009-02-15T09:26:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading "Dreams Of My Fathers" by Obama. It is a very well written book and makes for an easy read. The thing about the book that I found interesting was that Obama's life experiences are very human. I can relate to him on that level. His struggle for identity by being half black and half white made it so that he never really fit into either world. Labeled by the blacks for being to white and labeled by the whites for being to black. His struggle to give up on his dreams to make something of his life when road blocks come at every turn and the struggle of being told by others that his dreams could never happen. His struggle to have a connection with an absent father, and his yearning to have a male father figure with wisdom help him in his life's journey. His struggle with his family from Kenya demanding from him to solve family problems that were not created by him nor could he fix and told, "he is just like his father" when he can't fix the problems. These are all struggles that we face in one way or another. A search for meaning and identity to fit in with our family heritage. We often hear people say, "I'm Scottish" or "I'm Irish" or I'm German" but do we really now what it means when we say these things. People often travel to distant lands looking for an identity and answers to their questions of origin. People everyday give up on their dreams and settle for mediocrity. Road blocks come into our lives that requires a faith greater than our own to keep going. We all long for the wisdom of elders to give direction in this journey called life. I may not agree with Barack Obama's politics, but I can appreciate him and respect him, because he is not only President, but is a human being with a history not unlike each one of us. I often hear people with enthusiasm ridicule him and put him down. We must remember however that in doing so in some way or another we are ridiculing ourselves because we are all part of the human family. Our struggles, pains, hurts and hang-ups do not exempt us from the human race, they serve to remind us that we are together in this pilgrimage. Whether you are President or a bum, Democrat or Republican, Christian, Jewish, or Muslim no human being is exempt from the struggle.

Israel

2008-12-30T19:16:00.000-08:00

I am passionate about the people of Israel and their right to the land promised to them. It saddens me when Israel cannot defend their land without the world, including Christians, condemning them. The land of Israel is the only piece of real estate on the earth that God specifically promised to a certain people. God promised a blessing on those who would bless Abraham's descendants through Isaac and Jacob. Those who come against Israel come against the apple of His eye. "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye." (Zech 2:8) As a believer in Jesus I am also saddened by the Palestinians who are dying, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or indifferent. Jesus came into the world that all might be redeemed. As Christians we need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and against anti-semitism throughout the Middle east and the world.

"May the LORD continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren. And may Israel have quietness and peace."--Psalm 128

Falling

2008-12-29T19:02:00.000-08:00

I fell today while on a roof and I must say that I didn't enjoy it very much. I know for a fact that my body least of all did not enjoy it. I used to fall and it never affected me much and my body would recover as though nothing had happened. Now a days all I have to do is get out of bed and the aches and pains from years gone by show up for no reason at all. So tonight as I scribble down these notes, I am reminded that to actually fall jars loose calcium deposits and frozen joints that were happy being frozen and deposited. Advil seems to mask the pain of the fall and that is a good thing. What can never be masked is the reality that this body is wearing out and will continue to wear out. My body is going to die and continual to die until I am dead. There is no doubt about it. On the other hand, the inside is continuing to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. I can rest assured that though I am a dead man walking I am alive in Jesus Christ.

"And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it."----Rom 8:23-24

Shopping Blues

2008-12-28T18:53:00.000-08:00

I went to Boise today and did some after Christmas shopping. The strange thing about it is I figured that once Christmas was over the shopping would end. There are several reasons that I do not like to shop. On the top of the list is the amount of people scrambling to get the "good" deal. All dignity as a human being is lowered over a pair of shoes, or a pair of pants. I'm telling you now that the guy who needed those pants can have them, but I do hope they rip when he bends over. I did enjoy being with my family. It is always fun to spend time together. Lisa and I need to take every advantage that we can at this time. It soon will be over and the two oldest will be off to the college of their choice. I am trying my best to enjoy this chapter in my life. I don't want to look back with regrets that I missed out on the opportunities to enjoy them while they were at home. So, if it takes shopping and tolerating the crowds to spend time together as a family then it is a small price to pay for the memories.

P.S.---I hope the shoes give the guy blisters too!

The Problem with Pride

2008-12-27T20:36:00.000-08:00

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself"---Php 2:3

One writer stated that pride is the only sickness that makes everyone sick except the person who has it. Pride is a troubling problem for the believer in that of all the sins that capitalize on my weaknesses and failures, pride glorifies in my victories. When I am doing the the things that draw me closer to my Christian walk pride becomes the sin that tells me I am good person for doing those things. Pride begins to tell me that I have it together and that I am a spiritual giant and I begin to pat myself on the back because I am doing so well. Pride then becomes a barrier to God, myself, and to my fellow man. Michael Jackson had a song a while back about a man who is looking in the mirror referring to a changed man (no I'm not a fan of MJ). But we are more than capable of making the man in the mirror a god. We proudly state our opinions because in the back of our mind we believe God agrees with our opinions. This verse is in the context of fellowship with one another. God knows that pride is the enemy of getting along with each other. The balance to pride is to look at ourselves with a proper view, not like the Pharisee who saw himself not like the poor tax collector because he didn't do the things the tax collector did, but saw himself better. The proper view is to see others better than ourselves, that is the check to our pride that reigns deep in our heart. If I consider you above me, and you consider me above you, a marvelous thing happens: we have a community where everyone is looked up to, and no one is looked down on!

P.S.--If you say I'm not like the Pharisee check your heart you could be in denial!

Expectations

2008-12-27T19:01:00.000-08:00

Expectations deepen the struggle of our life in this world. Things never seem to turn out the way in which we expect them to. Thus, we become frustrated and saddened by the loss of that which we perceived to be expected. No one expected Lori to die so young. No one expected that two little children would lose their mother so early in life. How do we travel this road of loss? Only by faith! Faith is not an expectation. Faith brings a context in which to interpret unexpected events that happen to us along the journey. Faith is real! Expectations are a fantasy in which we live, yet they may or may not be fulfilled the way we expect. Most expectations are built upon the foundation of our culture. They come as a result of cultural information that was interpreted by us. However, life has a way of throwing a curve, slider, knuckle, fast ball and change up all at once at us. Sometimes we give all that we have in us to engage or interpret the expectation but it usually is never enough. Faith gives us a language to speak to the expectation and see the fallacy that is at the root of this false worldview. John said: "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith." I John 5:4

EXPECTATIONS, IF ONLY?

EXPECTATIONS, NEVER TRUSTWORTHY,

ONLY A HOPE OF THINGS TO BE,

EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT HOPE, ACTUALLY!

EXPECTATIONS, IF ONLY?

EXPECTATIONS, WHAT IS IN THEM THAT WE SEE?

A MERE SHADOW OF REALITY,

A LIFE LIVED IN FANTASY,

EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT TRUTH YOU SEE!

EXPECTATIONS IF ONLY?

EXPECTATIONS, THEY LIE COMPLETELY,

A RUSE, WITHOUT THEM WHERE WOULD WE BE,

EXPECTATIONS ARE A FRAUD, TRUTHFULLY!

EXPECTATIONS, IF ONLY?

EXPECTATIONS END SUDDENLY,

TRUST IN THEM IS TEMPORARY,

TIME AGES THEM EMPTY,

ONLY THEN WE REALIZE FINALLY!

EXPECTATIONS, IF ONLY?

Judaism And Thankfulness

2008-12-27T18:07:00.000-08:00

In his book, "How Firm a Foundation", Rabbi Eckstein made a statement that I found to be very provocative. In paraphrasing him he stated, Judaism is a religion that focuses on thanksgiving, not sin. This book is written to Christians to help us understand our roots which originated in the Jewish faith. When we consider Paul and his focus on thankfulness we begin to understand the religious culture of his statements. When we live in this world focusing on our sin, we almost become the center of existence, which in some ways is the very essence of sin itself. Always going to God with our shortcomings and failures. Thankfulness gets our eyes off of us and onto God who has given all to us. It places God in His rightful place at the center of worship. Paul said: "in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you." (I Thess 5:18) Having said this, don't get me wrong, I am not saying that sin should not be addressed, it should. Sin damages the very essence of what it means to be human, and leaves big holes in our relationships with God and each other. But to focus on sin can result in big holes as well. Being thankful releases our spirit in a wondrous dance of celebration to a Father who loves celebration as does any father who loves to see his children fulfilled! Jesus I am thankful for you. Even though I am imperfect, your perfection redeems my life and brings about healing and deliverance molded by your perfect love. Therefore, I will look up to you and be thankful.

SECOND CHANCES

2008-12-24T21:45:00.001-08:00

I was at a party last night and was discussing with an individual about his life that had fallen a part a few years back due to some bad choices he had made. He was telling me how wonerful it was that God didn't leave him in his state of brokeness. I truly believe that is the wonder of who God is. I also believe that is what we miss about God. Our faith is relational by nature. At the moment God created He began to interact with His creation. The fallen nature of man places man in a predicament of making imperfect choices that sometimes have damaging consequences. But the beauty of God is that he also is interacting with man in a redemptive way. Redemption is not just about getting to heaven and living forever walking on the streets of gold. Redemption is relational for the here and now. God in His goodness and love and mercy is always engaging man. When man falls below the level of what we were intended to be, God redeems us, puts our feet back on the way of salvation. He never leaves us in our state of brokenness. Redemption is relational and with God there is always hope for second chances. Never give up on yourself, because God never, ever gives up on you!

THE DREAM

2008-12-24T21:44:00.001-08:00

I was staring aimlessly at a long dark tunnel that in front of me; I wondered how long it stretched? Did it go on for miles, or was it only a short distance, until the darkness turned into light? I decided I needed to know! The curiosity that burned inside of me begged to be released. I began to walk down the long dark tunnel. It was cold and dirty. There was a musty and dirty scent in the air, and the thought of the unknown sent chills of fear racing through my soul. The tunnel seemed to travel up and then back down again, similiar to a roller coaster ride yet much slower and less thrilling. There was definetly a lack of joy in this place. As I was sure that I could no longer keep going, I had reached the top of another hill and my aching body was relieved of the stress and strain. After walking for what seemed like hours, days, weeks, and years, I came to an open room that was still lit. The room was well decorated, and there were people dancing and singing around what appeared to be a throne. It was a celebration, a joyous occasion. All the people were worshiping and crying out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to God, who sits on the throne, and to the lamb." The light seemed to radiate from the Majestic One who was sitting on the throne, and His magnetism seemed to pull everyone to Him. I began to question myself. Could I be dead, and this be the One whom I had lived for, for so long? Could it be that I finally made it to my destination---Heaven? I walked up to the throne in eager excitement, because I knew this is where God lived. I cried out in a loud voice: "Lord, Lord, remember me, your servant". He turned and gazed at me , and I saw the look of love that was in His eyes, His nail pierced hands as they lay on each side of the throne, the scars on His head from the crown of thorns, the bruises on His body and face where He had been beaten and scourged and the scar on His side where he had been pierced by the soldiers sword. And I will never, ever forget the words that he spoke as He said to me: "Who are you, I do not know you". "But Lord I said, don't you recognize me. I'm the one who lived for you each day, the one who went to church every week, the one who read the Bible, and told others about you. Don't you recognize me?" And the Lord answered me and said, "No I do not recognize you, depart from me you who work evil." I answered the Lord in desperation, "Evil? Me? You have got to be joking. I have never done an evil thing, the whole time I lived for you. In fact, I have done everything I was supposed to do. Except, of course, when there was something more important that needed to be done. After all Lord, it was difficult to make it to church everytime the doors were open. You see I just didn't have the time to be involved. I mean I worked all day long and I was tired all the time. You know what I mean don't you Lord?" The Lord looked at me and said, "yes I know what you mean. You mean that you didn't have time for me. You mean that you didn't have time to get to know me as your Friend and Savior. You had plenty of time for the temporal things like sports, money, pleasure, success, and yes even religion. But eternal life consists of none of these. I'm not against these things that you desired. They are things that I enjoy doing with you, but you limited Me in your relationship with me. You placed Me in a box of religiousity and only sought me I Sunday mornings. You thought that as long as you were not doing certain behaviors that you know me. My desire has always been for you know me, which is eternal life! You didn't take the time to see me and know me. I died so that you would include me in every part of your life." I was led from the presence of Jesus, where joy, excitement, and peace seemed to be in abundance; to a place of sadness, where everyone seemed to be running around searching for fullfilment, yet never finding it. I saw a business man running here and there trying to make all his appointments, yet never making any of them. I saw a mother trying to communicate to her children, but they never heard her. I saw a coach and his players, always playing games, trying desperately to win and capture that moment of glory, but never winning. Then I saw the most terrible and horrible sight of all: People gathered into a church, singing hymns, listening to sermons, having potlucks, and going to Bible studies without the presence of Jesus. They were continually bored with their lives, and each other. The only reason they did what they were doing was so that they might go to heaven. But the people in this church never reached their goal, and thus were never fulfilled. Suddenly I realized that God was not in this place. All hopes and dreams and needs were separated from God. And it was in this place that I stood. I had put all my hope in temporal gratification rather than in the eternal relationship with Jesus who loved me and died for me. I cou....Beep! Beep! Beep! Oh my alarm. What a bad dream. No, what a Nightmare! Thank-you Jesus for the second chance, that is your grace. Help me to build an intimate relationship with you always and in everything that I do You are eternal life and knowing you the Father and the one whom you've sent is what brings quality and fulfillment in everything we do in this life.--John 17:3

TIME--A POEM

2008-12-24T21:40:00.000-08:00

Time has cast a curious spell, a deep mystery as far as I can tell, Lord help me cross the rivers of time, laughing, loving, longing for life, never defeated by troubles, trials and strife!
May I always be eager for each new day, enjoying my time content along the way, knowing that failures repeated again, are healed by time in the end!
Let me in simplicity grow, as the winds of change rage to and fro, and time makes my body age, unleash my soul from my tarnished cage!
From the moment I made my first cry, to the last breath I'll breathe on this earth, my life is a story written on the pages of time, created the day of my birth!
Nothing less and nothing more, I'm formed by all that has come before, that was then and this is now, a picture painted by my past, in the blink of an eye life goes by so fast!
For that reason alone, I will live to the fullest each day, till Jesus calls me home, and may they say about this life of mine, "he lived each day loving, laughing, and enjoying his time!

I wrote this poem after my kids and their mom were in a horrible accident in which it took the life of Lori. Life is short!

ENDLESS CHATTER

2008-12-24T21:39:00.000-08:00

What deadens us most to God's presence within us, is the inner dialogue that we are continuously engaged within ourselves. The endless chatter of human thought. I suspect there is nothing more crucial than being able from time to time to stop that chatter, keep silent, listen and hear the soft spoken word of God.

THINGS I'M THANKFUL FOR

2008-12-24T21:38:00.000-08:00

A loving wife, good health, God who supplies all my needs, God's grace, second chances, healthy children, loving children, a warm house and bed at night, steady employment, sound mind, a giving wife, Jesus dying for me, hope in the face of adversity, my family, the cross of Christ, a wife who loves Jesus, my kids who love Jesus, Philip and Tbc, joy that comes from knowing Jesus.

2008-12-24T21:37:00.000-08:00

Refuse to worry, Trust in God and Do the next thing. This motto has gotten me through many a tough day. It is a conscious decision to refuse to worry about the circumstances of our life. Worry needs to be replaced with trust in God. Trusting in God is the antithesis to worry. Worry presupposes that I have some form of control over what I am worrying about. However, when I trust in God I put God in control of the circumstances of my life trusting Him for the results. Doing the next thing is putting into motion the act of trusting. I walk in relationship with God trusting Him for the small and big things of my life, believing that He is good and will work all things out for the glory of His name. It is risky living, but all relationships are risky when we trust. It places us in a position of vulnerability. A position of weakness, where grace abounds, and God is glorified.

THE BATTLE

2008-12-24T21:36:00.000-08:00

I TOOK THE KIDS SHOPPING FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND SINCE I HATE TO SHOP I MADE MY WAY TO THE BOOK SECTION TO SCAN THE NEWEST BEST SELLERS. I PICKED UP THE BOOK BY DAVID MCCULLOUGH, "1776". I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE OPENING CAPTION FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON'S JOURNAL ENTRY. "THE REFLECTION UPON MY SITUATION AND THAT OF THIS ARMY PRODUCES MANY AN UNEASY HOUR WHEN ALL AROUND ME ARE WRAPPED IN SLEEP. FEW PEOPLE KNOW THE PREDICAMENT WE ARE IN." THIS STATEMENT CUT TO THE HEART. SINCE I KNOW A LITTLE ABOUT U.S. HISTORY I KNOW THAT THE WAR HUNG IN THE BALANCE RIGHT UP TO THE END. YOU AND I COULD BE SPEAKING ENGLISH WITH A BRITISH ACCENT TODAY HAD THE VICTORY BEEN DIFFERENT. HOWEVER, THIS STATEMENT SPOKE TO MY HEART IN A SPIRITUAL WAY. WHILE SOME SLEEP, FEW KNOW THE PREDICAMENT WE ARE IN. THE ENEMY WANTS TO STEAL OUR JOY, OUR PEACE, AND OUR FAMILIES. HE COMES TO DETROY LIVES AND DAMAGE SOULS. AS BELIEVERS WE ARE IN A WAR AGAINST A FIERCE AND FORMIDABLE FOE. THE MOTTO CRY OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR WAS "NO KING, BUT KING JESUS". AS WE ARE DEEP IN THE TRENCHES AGAINST THE ENEMY MAY WE SHOUT WITH DEEP FERVOR, "NO KING, BUT KING JESUS" IN THE FACE OF THE ENEMY. NO KING BUT JESUS IN OUR LIVES, IN OUR FAMILIES, IN OUR BUSINESSES, IN OUR MINISTRIES. IF GOD IS FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US! JESUS WILL LEAD US TO VICTORY. I BELIEVE HE WILL!Rom 8:38-39"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.NKJV

SEE GOD BIG

2008-12-24T21:34:00.000-08:00

I learned from A. W. Tozer, to see God big. God cannot be bigger than he already is, but we can see Him bigger in every situation we may find ourselves faced with in life. I learned from Hudson Taylor, the secret of the christian life is to abide in Christ. Taylor had learned through the many struggles in his life to abide in Christ makes all things of the world more dim in the light of the incredible presenceof Jesus. Just think if we in our daily living and struggles with ordinary things like, our jobs, our finances, our families, our children, could see God bigger than our struggles what He could accomplish. Just think if we could learn to abide in Christ in the midst of our daily struggles how dim they would be in light of His incredible presence. He knows all our needs and is sufficient to meet them. He knows our weaknesses and His grace is sufficient to meet them. See God big, and abide in Christ will result in a wild and risky adventure in our daily walk. The question is: Will we engage in the adventure?

LIVE YOUR LIFE

2008-12-24T21:33:00.000-08:00

Live your life by looking at what you have, not what you have lost. Live your life by becoming better, not bitter. Live your life by being grateful, not grumpy. Live your life in hope, not fear. Finally, live your life by walking by faith, not by sight.

THE OLD VS THE NEW

2008-12-24T21:32:00.000-08:00

There is a war in the soul of a born again believer. (1 Peter 2:11; Gal 5:17) Therefore it is imperative for the believer to meditate on the life of Jesus: By praying for strength, by believing in Him, by reading His Word and by trusting in Him to finish the work He began in us. These are the food that Jesus uses to continually transform (Rom 12:1-3) our body, soul, mind, emotions and spirit into the person He purposed in us before time began. In feeding the new man: Our body is being presented to God for Good works that he has prepared in advance for us to walk in; Our soul which is our personality is being transformed into the image of Jesus and our will is being moved to right choices; Our mind is beginning to think the thoughts of Jesus. Our emotions are beginning to experience godly feelings toward creation and people who are made in the image of God. Our spirit is crying out to and receiving the Spirit of God. This is a continual process, never fully achieved in this life, but always pressing onward towards the goal of knowing Him more today than I did yesterday. The old man is trying to pull us back, while the new man is pushing us forward to a higher calling in Christ. Which man wins in any given moment will depend on which man we are feeding: The old or the new. God give us the victory by helping us to feed the new man and not the old!

INCLINE AN EAR

2008-12-24T21:30:00.000-08:00

In Isaiah God instructs us to incline an ear, to come and hear and our soul will live. A soul can die when it does not listen to the Word of God. As grass dies without water so our soul dies, or becomes sick, without the Word of God. We must take a moment during the day to stop and listen and let the Word of God heal our inner most person. It is through the word of God that we encounter the person of Jesus Christ. When we abide in His Word we make His Word come alive in our everyday experiences. It is not just memorizing, or searching for facts to build a system of theology. It is bringing the truths of His Word into our practical everyday experiences, and make it real in everyday situations.

WORRY AND ANXIETY

2008-12-24T21:29:00.000-08:00

Webster defines worry as: "Mentally upset over possible misfortune or danger...something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness...disturb the peace of mind..think anxiously about something.."
Notice the words in this definition that seem to attribute worry and anxiety to the mind: "mentally upset, peace of mind, think anxiously about". A good definition for worry could be: A source of mental thought patterns that affect the mood over possible situations real or perceived that disturb peace of mind. The definition that I have stated through the help of Webster places worry and anxiety 100% in the mind.
In order to change from worry to peace of mind we need to change our thought patterns. Take an active role in capturing every imagination that robs us of the peace of mind that God desires for His children. The only way to truly live and have the abundant life is to rid ourselves of the false ideas that we have and seek the truth. Jesus said, "...the truth will set us free". If the truth sets us free, then one can assume that false thought patterns, such as worrying over something, will do the exact opposite and place our lives in bondage and become for us a source of unhappiness. Isaiah 26:3 states, "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you". The Message Bible says it this way, "People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole." Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established." When we focus on the events of life instead of the Lord the outcome is a worried and anxious heart which in turn steals our joy!

THEOLOGY IS LIVING

2008-12-24T21:20:00.000-08:00

Theology is a living conversation about God. It is living because it is grounded in a relationship with a living God. It cannot be static because God is always directing our lives into a better intimate knowledge of who He is. It is God dialoging within us which in turn makes our lives to each other a living conversation. Nothing is wasted in the economy of God. He takes each event of our lives to help us into a better understanding of this mysterious relationship between the living God and man. It is a journey that can never be totally figured out or systematized. God is not a system like a machine to be figured out. He is alive and is to be enjoyed.