Sunday, November 26, 2006

What it all comes down to

“I don’t believe in God!” a young man exclaims. “Why not?” I ask. “Where is He?” the young man replies. “I don’t see Him anywhere!”

Many a person does not believe that God exists because they cannot “see” Him. I would have to agree with them. They most certainly are not able to see Him; however, that does not mean that they do not see Him.

The problem with people is that they think that God should be corporeal. They think they should be able to reach out and touch Him. They want Him to walk through the front door and prove that He exists. But alas! God is not a man that He should be limited by a physical body. He is God! He is omniscient and omnipresent. He is in every place at once.

Let me repeat that. He is every place at once! He is right here in my kitchen and on the other side of the world in someone else’s kitchen at the same time! How is this possible, you ask? Well, because He’s God! It is in the very definition of who He is! Anyway, here is my answer to the person who says they don’t see God anywhere:

Sure you do! You see Him all the time! You just don’t recognize Him. Check out this verse in Colossians: “And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.” This verse is talking about Jesus. It is important to understand something. Jesus Christ was God in the form of man and He was called the Son of God. And the Bible says that in Him all things hold together.

God does not form the bowl made of clay and then just sit it on the table and walk away. In Him, that clay bowl holds together. God’s hands are always on it holding it together so to speak. I like to think of creation as God’s great tapestry. And throughout His tapestry, God is intricately woven in to it. Without Him, we would not simply break or shatter—we would cease. We cannot exist apart from our Creator. So you want to know where He is? Look around. You see the walls of your home or the grass and trees outside, but you only see the surface. He’s there! “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made…” Romans 1:20

Have you ever had an experience where you were thinking about someone and wondering how they were because you hadn’t seen them in forever? And then you run into them at the grocery store the next day or better yet, they call you because they were thinking about you too? You call this coincidence but I am telling you there is no such thing! That is God almighty! You just don’t see it because you call it something else! You have labeled it wrong! God has a reason for everything. Nothing happens without purpose.

Have you ever missed being in a car accident by the skin of your teeth? Have you ever found something precious that you thought you had lost? Have you ever known something by instinct that you couldn’t have possibly known? You call it luck, but I’m telling you, THERE IS NO SUCH THING! It’s Him! And He’s letting you know that He exists all the time! You just aren’t paying attention!

God wants you to know how much He loves you. He has a great purpose for your life. You are precious to Him. So precious, in fact, that He sent His only Son to die on the cross for your sins. It is God’s desire for you to be reconciled to Him forever. Have you ever accepted Jesus as your Savior? You can do it today! All you have to do is tell Him out loud: “Jesus, please forgive my sin. Please come into my life and save me. I realize that nothing I can do will save me but it is only by Your death on the cross. Please come into my life and show me the great purpose that You have for me. Help me to turn away from sin and to live a holy and pleasing life before You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

Friday, November 10, 2006

A Nation Divided

When I heard that Amendment 2 passed, I cried. I cried because I lamented all of the lives that would be lost in the name of medical advancement. I was upset that Claire McCaskill won over Jim Talent in the Senate because of the repercussions that our children and their children will have to suffer due to the decisions that she will make. It is very tempting to despair over such things especially when it seems like we are losing battle after battle. The democrats now hold the Senate as well as the House. It’s depressing, really. But strangely, I am not depressed.

Wednesday, November 8, 2006 when I awoke I cried over Amendment 2. However, my sorrow ended with that cry. God’s peace washed over me. He told me that this turn of events was from Him, that He might accomplish His good purpose. As soon as He told me this I quickly became excited. I am excited to see His hand in this unfortunate turn of events. I am excited to see what He will do! I rest fully assured that He is in complete control! I rest knowing that Claire McCaskill and the Democrats are not the victors here. They are in office because God has orchestrated it and He will use it for good.

So I know that God is in control and I also know something else. This country is split right down its very center. So many of the races this past Tuesday were extremely close. McCaskill won with 51% of the vote! That is barely over half! The other half voted for Talent! The same thing happened with Amendment 2. And the Democrats hold the Senate and House but only by a few! Split right down the middle—give or take! This nation is divided. And we all know what the Bible says about a nation that is divided.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Bad Day

So…today is very hard. I started my first “lessons” with my two boys today. It didn’t go as great as I thought it should. Logan wasn’t really interested in his activity. It might have had something to do with the workmen who were here to install a radon mitigation system in our basement. All he wanted to do was stand outside and talk to them. But I couldn’t allow him to bombard these poor unsuspecting strangers with his usual game of 100 questions in ten minutes. Instead, I let him bombard me.

Mom, can I have this? Mom, can I have that? Mom, can I play video games? Mom, can I go outside? But I just want to talk with the workers! Mom, will you play with me? Mom, will you help me put the choo-choo track together? Mom, what’s this? What do you do with it? Why? How come? Mom, I’m hungry! Can I have some candy? When will my lunch be ready? Mom, I’m hungry. After I have lunch, can I have some candy? Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom! Mom!..........AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and this isn’t even the half of it. And Job has been very whiny all morning. And I just want to pull out my hair! Maybe I would if I didn’t have a headache. It’s not a horrible headache but it’s just enough to cause me added stress.

Also, the ringing in my ear is worse. I’m pretty sure it is because I had so much diet coke last Friday. Ever since, the ringing has become louder. I have Tinnitis in my ears and a partial hearing loss because of it and drinking caffeine irritates it and apparently can make it worse!

On the bright side, we no longer have poisonous radon gas pouring into our home and I was able to share gospel tracks with the two men who came to put in the system! Pretty cool!