The Bible says, "When I am weak, then I am strong ..." That's because He is always strong ...and I can always get my strength from Him. I shouldn't try to do it in my own strength.
Sometimes when someone confesses they are weak, it not only makes them strong ...it also helps me be encouraged and strong too. It's not that I like to see others fail ...as in 'misery loves company'. It sometimes just helps to share a struggle ...but the help comes through not just sharing an emotion. The help comes through perspective of realizing the potential for growth and development of character.
When Jonah tried to run away, the ship he was upon found itself within a terrible storm ....and the question of the day was, "Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us: what is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?"
I guess there were many questions.
Jonah provided the answer, "Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you; for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you."
Jonah admitted it was his fault, and it was his suggestion that they throw him overboard.
Sometimes our life feels like it's all going overboard. What do we do?
Jesus tells the parable of two sons: "But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not." Jesus then asked which of the two sons did the will of the father.
Likewise, Jonah did what he was asked to do ...after much prompting, of course.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
My family just watched a Bonanza episode together.
A man was wrongfully accused of a crime ...and was sent to prison. After serving twenty years in prison, he was found innocent and released. Often our hope is that people can be rehabilitated in prison ...but, if you are wrongfully put there, what is there to be rehabilitated of, really?
He became very disillusioned. And he took his bitterness into isolation ...far away from civilization.
His family tried to visit him in prison, but were not allowed. And they were not told when he was released. When they did eventually find out, they decided to find him. On their way, they had an accident ...far before reaching that goal. Only the granddaughter lived, her parents not surviving the crash.
The granddaughter was only twelve years old, and was blind since birth. She was devastated by her parents death, but she wanted to continue to pursue their quest. She wanted to visit her grandfather, but being blind, would need much assistance. Of course, this is where Hoss and Little Joe came in.
When they found her grandfather, they found him to be wild and mean.
But, this did not deter the granddaughter. The Cartwrights tried to convince her of how unwise it was for a young girl to attempt to chance another meeting with such a wild man. They felt she didn't see his meanness, but though being blind, she saw more than many of us see.
She could tell he was mean, but she said she was always having others help her because of her blindness ...and now she wanted to help someone. She wanted to feel needed.
That's sort of the way with missionaries. They realize what God has done for them, and they want others to get to know Him. Elisabeth Elliot is an extraordinary woman who continued to be a missionary to the same tribe who killed her husband. She knew her husband had eternal life, and she wanted the same for the people who even more walking down the opposite path ...unless someone made an impact upon them, and made a difference in their lives.
Elisabeth Elliot's commitment towards life not only had a tremendous impact upon a tribe in South America, it should equally impact all of us.
How much of a chance do people have ...who never hear about Jesus?
The Bible says: "They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused."
And when things are dark and confused, it is very difficult not to get more confused ...going down the wrong path, and getting further and further away from the truth. At this point, intervention is even more important and vital.
A person who lives with violence often learns violence, those who live with apathy, often learn apathy. A person can live in an environment and not become like those around them ...but the percentage is not in one's favor. They are the ones most in need of intervention ...to see the Light, believe in the Light, and be able to live it.
Unless you watch the FOX channel, or are aware of potential past presidential political nominations ...you may not know who Mike Huckabee is. I think his Sunday evening show is very good.
I don't like sound bites, misquotes ...or careless insensitive quotes, but I am attempting to join in a little of the humor. I don't know how accurate it is, but I was told he joked of there being two types of people in politics...thermometers and thermostats. I don't know what his analogy was, and I'm sure it is not this one, but I believe there are many more than two types of people ...whether in politics, or some other arena. People are people. We can be humorous at times, but that can be a matter of perspective. Here are some of mine:
- Thermometer ...let's you know how hot they are, or indifferent (cold)
- Thermostat ...always trying to be just right, by pleasing everyone; perhaps compromising, regulating, or adjusting your dial
- Barometer ...pressure people (wide variety)
- Speedometer ...always on the go, and as fast as you can go
- Sphygmomanometer ...(most people call it a blood pressure cuff) these people are close to the heart, sensitive to every beat
- Seismometer ...if you are not one of these and guess wrong, it could be trouble; the seismometer-types can determine the correct dress size to buy their wife ---now that may be getting even more personal, and I may be a hydrometer for even bringing it up.
- Hydrometer ...density, now that can get personal ---yet, Jonah may had been interested in the density of water, as he had that sinking feeling ...and hopefully you do not think I have gone too overboard.
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