GUARD YOUR HEART AND YOUR MIND

Just finished a long walk, just me and Jesus. Listening to my worship music, blocking out all the sounds and negative influences of the world... Romans 13:13-14(AMP)
13 Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts).

With so much outside influences, such as tv, radio, internet, books, even friends, and so on, it's easy to get wrapped up in the things the world has to offer, that may not be beneficial in our relationship with Christ. These things may give us pleasure for a time, but at what cost? From time to time I have to clean house, take a look at the things in my life that are driving a wedge between me and my Savior. I urge you to do the same. Take inventory of the things in your life that might be better thrown out. Is it what you're watching on television? Is it that relationship you're in? Is it drinking? Is it a book you're reading? I often ask myself, "Am I pleasing to God? Do my actions and words reflect who I am in Him?" Why don't you do the same. To be different from most of your peers can be a bit lonely at times, but in the end it's well worth it.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Oh my goodness... I'm still encountering people with their heads in the proverbial sand. For crying out loud...Afghanistan is NOT an ally...the Muslim religion (according to the Koran) is NOT a peaceful religion. Yes, there are some people who claim to be Muslim, but do not adhere to the entire Koran. That is no different than people who claim to be Christian, but do not adhere to the entire Holy Scripture. If you do not adhere to the entire word of your religion, i.e. faith, you are not a true follower. True followers are willing to die for their faith. The difference between Islam and Christianity is that Muslims are willing to blow themselves up, along with innocent people in the hopes of going to heaven, and Christians are willing to suffer themselves and sacrifice only their own lives in the name of Christ Jesus with the knowledge that they WILL go to heaven.

REMEMBERING 9/11

Where were you while we were being attacked by terrorists? I was in the kitchen. I could hear the news in the background. I heard them say something about a plane crashing into one of the twin towers. I went into the living room to see what was happening, and sat down just in time to see the other plane hit the second tower. I knew then that we were under attack. I remember sobbing for all those people...watching them hang out of windows, some jumping to their death, then to watch as the towers collapsed, crushing those trapped inside, along with the brave men and women who were in and near the towers, trying to rescue them. 

I remember how this nation literally became, once again, One Nation Under God. We rallied together in prayer. We found a renewed sense of community. We were determined to fight back, together. A lot has happened since then. Why are we so divided? A nation divided can not stand. A nation that boos God can not survive. We are in another civil war...brother against brother...neighbor against neighbor. 

We need a president that truly desires to bring us together and lead, putting God at the helm. We need an administration that is not divisive and that honestly loves this great nation that we are honored to live in. We do not have that kind of leadership. What we have is an empty chair.