(As I continue to recover from recent heart surgery I have time to watch the news a bit more. Just a short blog on a topic that is in the news now. jk)

 

 

 

Definition of collusion:secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose / acting in collusion with the enemy.

How in the world did I tie Christianity in with such a negative action? Christianity, the belief in God and the ministry and purpose of Jesus Christ, is viewed by many throughout the world as having no place in their social order and is considered to be disruptive because of its beliefs and practices. It is the enemy and even banned in some places in the world. We of the Christian faith are destined to have many enemies, scripture confirms that. Over the past decades we have seen the Bible removed from our schools, prayer discouraged and in some instances forbidden. We have seen our faith attacked, suffered ridicule because of our beliefs and family and friends turn from us because of our Christian values. I could list any number of instances that prove my point but all you have to do is read, listen or watch the news to confirm what I have written here so far. To some people, governments, organizations and the progressive movements with agendas to push, we are the enemy. Take a moment to consider this. Do you have a deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ that governs your life and sets the values you live by? Does your behavior exemplify  that belief? Do you seek ways to share the good news with others? Do you attend church regularly, refuse to accept cultural and social norms that  are in opposition to your Christian values? If you have answered yes to these few, then most likely you are guilty of collusion. 

  Definition of Christian Collusion: acceptance of Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord.  A commitment to live a Holy Life and colluded with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to share the “good news” preaching the gospel to the world.

Are you Guilty?

Life is Good

jk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; ………..Jeremiah 30: 17

The first seven verses of this chapter deal with a promise God has made to Israel. In verse 17 God promises Jeremiah despite all the troubles that Israel must go through, he will restore his children. In the first few words of this verse I find great comfort and share with you this week the power of this promise. Home now recovering from heart surgery has awaken within me a time of reflection and a greater appreciation of that which God has created and leaves me wondering at the awesome healing power of my creator. Also I have come to believe that healing to a christian is quite different from what we imagine in the secular world.The Bible speaks often of miraculous healing through the work of Jesus Christ and faith in God. It is these examples of the healing miracles recorded in scripture that we often go to in times of illness and emotional stress that give comfort and hope to the believer. There is within this life that God has created a depth and purpose far greater than the mortal mind can imagine, a depth that passeth all understanding. God is about life. Paul said that to die was to live, I find in these few words his remarkable sense of the promise of eternal life. The promise of eternal life through the blood of Jesus Christ as ordained by God the Father is the very ground on which the cross stands. We must ask ourselves how when the pain and hurt is overwhelming, how do we keep our focus on Jesus Christ and the promise? How do we remain faithful and somehow see the blessings of this life that surround us each day? I would suggest that we seek the Holy Spirit and look to strengthen our mind, body and heart as we seek the comfort of the promise.

Healing as we know it is the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again. Healing can also be therapeutic. For most of us healing is a process of doctors, hospitals, drugs and time but there is another factor, that which is found at the foot of the cross. It is the Promise. It is a God thing.

Genesis 2 King James Version (KJV) 2  7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

I have always believed that the breath of life and this gift as given is to me the very soul of our being. Our bodies being only a vessel in which God has placed this wonderful creation of life. Our soul, our very being belongs to God and nothing or no one can take us from him. With this thought in mind I find comfort in the final dispensation of my earthly life. No mater the circumstances of my passing from this world, my soul belongs to God and he alone will have dominion over it. This takes me to one of my favorite chapters in the bible. 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Please take the time to read and rejoice in the revelation of the resurrection.

I could write much more but believe it best to let the power of the Promise speak for me. The true healing for the Christian is the finality of the Promise, life everlasting as promised by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As I spend the days ahead re-gaining my strength I look forward to this life but rejoice even more in what is to come. Life is a God thing and I will cling to it as long as I can with the realization that it will be my spiritual health and the Promise that will carry me home.   

Life is Good

jk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes we confuse issues with causes and that tends to lead us in the wrong direction. We end up championing the cause and not dealing with the issue. This past week we have seen a good example of that very thing. You might say it was three days of agony and soul searching in an effort to bring to a conclusion an issue that had become a cause. The United Methodist Church finally put the issue on the table and the response was as expected. There are so many adjectives that can apply here. Bitterness is a word that is not strong enough here. The better word would would be rancor and adding to that disappointment, hurt, confusion, fear, uncertainty, a full range of emotions all held in check by prayer and Christian tolerance. There have been post Conference comments on FaceBook and other social media that indicate the issue is still on the table for many United Methodists after the recent special called gathering this past February.

The issue that became a cause? The current deep conflict within The United Methodist Church around issues of human sexuality. A conflict that is decades old is still not settled in the hearts of the people, still weighs heavy on their minds, and we find the door still not open but just slightly ajar. Every possible argument, for or against, has been run up the flag pole and the rope is quite frayed my now. I believe that the wrong issue which has grown into a cause has damaged this denomination. Having been a member of the Methodist Church for many years I am sadden by all of this. There was a song many years ago that had a lyric “the answer my friend is blowing in the wind”, Peter Paul and Mary. When I let the wind in my mind die down, the answer I hear is the real issue, Holy Living. What exactly is holy living? How do I live a holy life? We must separate ourselves from sin and any evils that keep us from having a relationship with God. We must seek an infilling of the holy spirit because we can only live a holy life through the presence of the Spirit in our lives. We are reminded that our God is holy and he calls us to be holy. 1 Peter 1:16 Leviticus 19:2),

There are scriptures that address human sexuality. I am not going to list those but will say, that they are not supportive of certain lifestyles and do not meet the intent of living a holy life and we must understand that apart from God this is impossible. We are commanded to love all people just as Jesus did. No one should be turned away from God’s table. There is a requirement we all must meet. It is not a rule, it is not a church thing, denominational thing. It will not be found in agendas, causes or any other place. It is a God Thing, a relationship with God based on repentance and Holy Living. 

I will be away from the pew for awhile due to needed medical procedures. I do not at this time know at what date the Pew will return.

God Bless

Life is Good

jk