As I stated in the introduction, in answer to my concern for my financial situation I received this instruction to put first things first and use what I've got. Did I say that I hadn't thought of my most valuable asset. My faith.
The speech I learned as a child was about how God brought the Hebrew children out of a place of bondage. a place where they were obligated to serve against their will. This is what debt feels like to me. Bondage. Moses had spent 40 years in his father in law's camp, learning and growing in faith. He saw his Father in law practice his faith as king, priest and prophet of his family and servants. He gained experiences as he encountered God for himself. Then after obeying God to go back to Egypt and get his people, he found himself standing in front of a large body of water. This was a naturally impassable place to be in. The story begins to end by saying " when Moses got to that red sea, he gave up on the spot. but the Lord said to Moses, what's that in your hand, use what you've got" the rest of the story is that he swept his walking stick over the water, the sea parted and they walked across on dry land. the Egyptians tried to do the same and were drowned.
Now, what does this have to do with me and my situation? The other part of the instructions. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you". It was the word FIRST that caught my attention. Had I not placed God first? Was I trying to do it by my self, thinking up stuff then asking God to bless it? Was I out of proper order? Oh, I had a method to my madness but was not in the right order. First things were not first.
It's funny that as I tried to reorganize my life I was actually becoming more frustrated. I'm just coming back to my self after a few years of being in a coma with my eyes open. See I practiced nursing for over thirty years. I was better at it then some, not all, some of my former managers would care to admit.
One day after having done all the leg work to begin. I was financially able, and ready to get a building to open my first assisted living facility for seniors. I had two more patients to see before my appointment with the realtor. I never made it. A couple of poor decisions on the part of teenage girls, and disobedience on my part ended with our colliding. Now, one has to live with the consequences of her actions, one is dead and I am still recovering from both physical and emotional injuries.
As a psychiatric nurse I've encouraged my patients suffering with depression to journal. Something I've seldom done my self. I usually study and write what I discover. I love to learn and see how I can use it. When I began to do service I found that what I studied was not just for me but that there were many who needed this information I was hording. I encouraged getting some new experiences. Decided to take my own advise and do it. Not that I could say I felt like it or wanted to do anything. At least in public I was and still am less likely to cry for no apparent reason.
Now in case you think I've gone off the subject. Let me assure you I have not. This is just history of how I got here. As you may can tell even as I write I'm not fully recovered. I still hurt, I still fight depression and to add to all of that. I'm out of money. Yes, nosey I got a small settlement form my insurance company and that's a story that would make you depressed too. I spent it on daily living needs and the many hospitals, surgery centers, labs, x-ray centers, physical therapist and doctors I have been seeing over the last few years. Now that your curiosity has been dealt with. can I get on with my blog? Thank you.
Coming in to summer I'd made plans to attend an MMI (millionaire mind intensive, it is not a religious event). I'd been to a few before. I found that I received a different thought and a new curiosity about money, my relationship with it and the management of it after attending the first one. I thought that if I could go and take someone with me who could receive it I could get back to where I was just before the accident when life was looking rather good. I was looking for what I could put my hands to do so that God would have something to bless. Well, because of my makeup, I got home excited and began to go to my scripture to make sure that I was in line with the word. And. Yes, it happened again. My pastors instructions were to have the people do a 1-90. Place God first by increasing our study time. doing self evaluation to see where God is in our lives. We are to recommit to seeking the kingdom of God first and his righteousness for 90 days. there is a call " can He count on me? Yes he can!" There is so much to it that I'll just have to refer you to check our church out on line for your self to get the audios. Heritage Christian Center Jacksonville, Florida.
I soon found my self reading my bibles starting in the gospels. I don't know how to just read. I have to ask questions. That is how I ended up here. So, questions. what is the kingdom of God, Where is it, how to I seek it, how will I recognize it, what does it take to become a citizen? How do I seek righteousness, What does it look like, how do I know if I have it, what can I do with it? And, the question that only a few would ask out loud. What is the benefit to me for doing all this seeking once I find them?
I read the gospels then was about to read Acts when I was instructed to go back to Matthew. There I would ask those questions. What was Jesus saying? Did he answer my questions already in his parables? The answer is, yes. So for anyone who may actually decide to follow this blog you are going to be blown away at what you will discover in this study to Seek Ye First The Kingdom.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Seek Ye first the kingdom... Vocabulary lI
Debt: sin,trespass;something owed, obligation (unable to pay off his debt); a state of owing; the common law action for the action for the recovery of money held to be due. liability, obligation, score
Mosaic law encourages lending but forbade the exaction of interest exception from foreigners. Usury was strongly condemned. On sabbatical year all pecuniary obligations were cancelled. These regulations prevented the accumulation of debt.
Trespass:a moral or social violation of ethics unwarranted infringement, an unlawful act committed on real property a person or anothers rights. Offence, error, breach, lawbreaking.
Pecuniary: Consisting of a measure of money; more at fee. syn: dollars and cents, fiscal, pocket, monetary, financial.
Fee, a fixed charge, a sum paid or charged for a service, a legal possession
Judge: to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises; to try; to determine or pronounced after inquiring and deliberation. Govern; Rule. to form an estimate of value esp to form a negative opinion about.; to hold an opinion, guess, think as in (I judge she knew what she was doing) I think, I guess; Syn; arbitrate, decide, determine, referee, rule on, settle, umpire.
Judge: used of Hebrew tribal leaders: to govern, to exercise continuous sovereign authority over, esp to control and direct the making and administration of policy in; to rule with out sovereign power and usually with out having authority, to determine basic policy (Archaic) -manipulate, to control direct or strongly influence the actions and conduct of. to hold in check, restrain, to require. to have decisive influences or control to exercise authority. Syn. Boss, captain, command, control, preside over, rule (archaic- sway)
Mosaic law encourages lending but forbade the exaction of interest exception from foreigners. Usury was strongly condemned. On sabbatical year all pecuniary obligations were cancelled. These regulations prevented the accumulation of debt.
Trespass:a moral or social violation of ethics unwarranted infringement, an unlawful act committed on real property a person or anothers rights. Offence, error, breach, lawbreaking.
Pecuniary: Consisting of a measure of money; more at fee. syn: dollars and cents, fiscal, pocket, monetary, financial.
Fee, a fixed charge, a sum paid or charged for a service, a legal possession
Judge: to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises; to try; to determine or pronounced after inquiring and deliberation. Govern; Rule. to form an estimate of value esp to form a negative opinion about.; to hold an opinion, guess, think as in (I judge she knew what she was doing) I think, I guess; Syn; arbitrate, decide, determine, referee, rule on, settle, umpire.
Judge: used of Hebrew tribal leaders: to govern, to exercise continuous sovereign authority over, esp to control and direct the making and administration of policy in; to rule with out sovereign power and usually with out having authority, to determine basic policy (Archaic) -manipulate, to control direct or strongly influence the actions and conduct of. to hold in check, restrain, to require. to have decisive influences or control to exercise authority. Syn. Boss, captain, command, control, preside over, rule (archaic- sway)
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Seek ye first the kingdom.....Vocabulary l
why? Jesus taught his disciples but what did he teach them? He preached the gospel of the kingdom. And, He healed them.
This list is not alphabetical and is supplied in order to bring clarity to their use in the writings of the gospels. Will be added to as needed
NB: three words that prevents all learning "I know that"
Serve: to render obedience and worship to God, to comply with the demands or commands of, to work through or preform a term, to put in or forth time, to be of use, benefit, to prove adequate or satisfactory for, to make ready and pas out, to wait on, to furnish or supply with something, to put a ball into play, to treat or act in a specialized way
Servant: a person employed
service: the occupation of an employee, to work for.
Salt: brings out the flavor, it enhances, makes better.
light: displaces darkness, allows vision, causes obstacles to be revealed, by shinning on an object it causes an outline to be seen of that object as a shadow. Brightens, enlightenment, truth, public knowledge, window, standards
Lamp:a vessel with a wick for burning a flammable liquid to produce an artificial light. a devise producing light or heat
Eye: organ of sight, vision, perception, faculty of discernment , point of view, judgement, a window to perceived truth.
idol: a representation of a deity used as an object of passionate devotion
Righteous: be in right standing with God. meet qualifications of God.
Adversary: foe, in opposition as debate, Oral legal dispute, difference of mind
one who attacks, or tries to do harm to another, foe, in opposition as in debate , opposite, or against, resistances, content to strive apart, hostile, an adversity on the opposes.
Way: a course of action, opportunity, capability, possible course/direction
reconcile: cause to be friendly again, adjust, settle, bring to submission, conform, accommodate
Council:an official body of law makers,
Anger: affliction, rage, fury, indignation
Judgement: a decision or opinion given after judging, a formal decree of court, the process of forming an opinion by discerning and comparing
Fool: Idiot, one who lacks since or judgment, one who spend time idly or aimless, one who meddles or tamper thoughtlessly or ignorantly, who deceives.
Deceive: to cause to believe a lie, untruth, to deal with dishonestly , to practice or use dishonestly
Adulterant:something used to adulterate another
Adulterate:to make impure by mixing in a foreign or inferior substance,
Wife: woman acting in a specified capacity, used in combination (mid wife) a married woman
Divorce:a complete legal breaking up of a marriage
Woman: married, having been married
Murder: the act of unlawfully killing a person,esp with malice of thought, to kill brutally.
Love:(n) to feel warm attachment (vb) to feel passion, devotion, tenderness, caress, to take pleasure in
NB romance and love are different
forswear: to go before, place first emphasis on
swear: to assert emphatically as true with an appeal to God or one's own honor. to charge or confirm under oath.
Oath: a solemn appeal to God to witness to the truth of statement. or the sacredness of a promise, an irreverent or careless use of a sacred name.
revenge: on the same level as the offence, to inflict harm or injury in return for a wrong
perfect: being with out fault,or defect, exact, precise, complete (vb) an action or stat completed at the tine of speaking or at the time spoken of whole, entire, intent
Agape: unconditional (modern Greek) refers to general affection toward a good meal, ones children, spouse, friends. it can be described as feeling of being content or holding in high esteem, treasured
Eros: passionate with sensual desire and longing, Erotos intimate affection can be interpreted as love stronger then brotherly love. (helps the soul recall knowledge of beauty) Plato (and contributes to the understanding of spiritual truth
Philia: friendship, brotherly (modern) dispassionate, endures loyalty to family, friends, country and requires virtue, equality and familiarity a general type love for family between friends a desire or enjoyment of an activity.
Storge- affection -natural affection as parents to offspring know the express mere acceptance or putting up with situations as in loving a tyrant. a connection fro mearly by people who find themselves together by chance, neighbor distant family, community, networks, clubs and organizations
a natural love due to its preset with out coercion, emotion because it pays the least attention to characteristics deemed valuable or working of love and as result transcend most discernment factors,
agape: charitable love is the love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstance
Romance Eros is love in the same being in love (doesn't have to be sexual attraction, emotional connection is loved for.
Treasure: hoard, to keep as precious, cherish, prize, value, appreciate
Therefore: with emphases on what is before.
Mammon: wealth, riches
Transgress: to go beyond the limits set, to step across,go beyond, go too far.
trespass: wrongful entry, violation, infringement, to commit an offence, sin, err, intrude encroach.
Power: a position of ascending over others, authority, the ability to act or produce an effect. physical might, mental or moral vigor(strength), force or energy.
Ask: to call on for an answer
Value: the appreciation , love for, passion for, the worth of, rate of usefulness, the position of , the esteem of, a rate given to.
darkness: to be with out light. with out knowlege or insight. to lack vision
This list is not alphabetical and is supplied in order to bring clarity to their use in the writings of the gospels. Will be added to as needed
NB: three words that prevents all learning "I know that"
Serve: to render obedience and worship to God, to comply with the demands or commands of, to work through or preform a term, to put in or forth time, to be of use, benefit, to prove adequate or satisfactory for, to make ready and pas out, to wait on, to furnish or supply with something, to put a ball into play, to treat or act in a specialized way
Servant: a person employed
service: the occupation of an employee, to work for.
Salt: brings out the flavor, it enhances, makes better.
light: displaces darkness, allows vision, causes obstacles to be revealed, by shinning on an object it causes an outline to be seen of that object as a shadow. Brightens, enlightenment, truth, public knowledge, window, standards
Lamp:a vessel with a wick for burning a flammable liquid to produce an artificial light. a devise producing light or heat
Eye: organ of sight, vision, perception, faculty of discernment , point of view, judgement, a window to perceived truth.
idol: a representation of a deity used as an object of passionate devotion
Righteous: be in right standing with God. meet qualifications of God.
Adversary: foe, in opposition as debate, Oral legal dispute, difference of mind
one who attacks, or tries to do harm to another, foe, in opposition as in debate , opposite, or against, resistances, content to strive apart, hostile, an adversity on the opposes.
Way: a course of action, opportunity, capability, possible course/direction
reconcile: cause to be friendly again, adjust, settle, bring to submission, conform, accommodate
Council:an official body of law makers,
Anger: affliction, rage, fury, indignation
Judgement: a decision or opinion given after judging, a formal decree of court, the process of forming an opinion by discerning and comparing
Fool: Idiot, one who lacks since or judgment, one who spend time idly or aimless, one who meddles or tamper thoughtlessly or ignorantly, who deceives.
Deceive: to cause to believe a lie, untruth, to deal with dishonestly , to practice or use dishonestly
Adulterant:something used to adulterate another
Adulterate:to make impure by mixing in a foreign or inferior substance,
Wife: woman acting in a specified capacity, used in combination (mid wife) a married woman
Divorce:a complete legal breaking up of a marriage
Woman: married, having been married
Murder: the act of unlawfully killing a person,esp with malice of thought, to kill brutally.
Love:(n) to feel warm attachment (vb) to feel passion, devotion, tenderness, caress, to take pleasure in
NB romance and love are different
forswear: to go before, place first emphasis on
swear: to assert emphatically as true with an appeal to God or one's own honor. to charge or confirm under oath.
Oath: a solemn appeal to God to witness to the truth of statement. or the sacredness of a promise, an irreverent or careless use of a sacred name.
revenge: on the same level as the offence, to inflict harm or injury in return for a wrong
perfect: being with out fault,or defect, exact, precise, complete (vb) an action or stat completed at the tine of speaking or at the time spoken of whole, entire, intent
Agape: unconditional (modern Greek) refers to general affection toward a good meal, ones children, spouse, friends. it can be described as feeling of being content or holding in high esteem, treasured
Eros: passionate with sensual desire and longing, Erotos intimate affection can be interpreted as love stronger then brotherly love. (helps the soul recall knowledge of beauty) Plato (and contributes to the understanding of spiritual truth
Philia: friendship, brotherly (modern) dispassionate, endures loyalty to family, friends, country and requires virtue, equality and familiarity a general type love for family between friends a desire or enjoyment of an activity.
Storge- affection -natural affection as parents to offspring know the express mere acceptance or putting up with situations as in loving a tyrant. a connection fro mearly by people who find themselves together by chance, neighbor distant family, community, networks, clubs and organizations
a natural love due to its preset with out coercion, emotion because it pays the least attention to characteristics deemed valuable or working of love and as result transcend most discernment factors,
agape: charitable love is the love that brings forth caring regardless of circumstance
Romance Eros is love in the same being in love (doesn't have to be sexual attraction, emotional connection is loved for.
Treasure: hoard, to keep as precious, cherish, prize, value, appreciate
Therefore: with emphases on what is before.
Mammon: wealth, riches
Transgress: to go beyond the limits set, to step across,go beyond, go too far.
trespass: wrongful entry, violation, infringement, to commit an offence, sin, err, intrude encroach.
Power: a position of ascending over others, authority, the ability to act or produce an effect. physical might, mental or moral vigor(strength), force or energy.
Ask: to call on for an answer
Value: the appreciation , love for, passion for, the worth of, rate of usefulness, the position of , the esteem of, a rate given to.
darkness: to be with out light. with out knowlege or insight. to lack vision
Just thinking out loud
Sometimes I wonder if I'm being too critical. I hate, yes hate, when some celebrity acts like an idiot then wins an award and all of a sudden they yell out," I want to thank God the father" or some other religious sounding mess and people make them in to super christian with wisdom coming out the eyeballs.
Even "christian celebs" for example a few years one got married. Had this long drawn out boring mess of a wedding. Wasn't married a year before she wrote a book giving "how to keep your man advise" to other women. ( that was before the divorce)
Where in the scriptures are women instructed to think like a man? It's elitist and snobbish to expect a christian to use clean language, dress appropriately for age, gender and faith. Even being disrespectful is supposed to be overlooked and made fun of. Not!
I require evidence of being in the same family I'm in. You should look like my daddy in some way. your behavior should agree with the culture I live in. You know, culture,( the way we do things here.) My daddy has rules and boundaries you must not cross. As good as my daddy is he can't stop you from sending your self to hell. He gives a person a chance many times over to change his ways. He will not make you.
If you have not studied, and practiced to develop a godly mindset your conscience has nothing to confront you with when you are wrong. The holy spirit's job is not to punish. Just remind you of what ever the lord has said. You punish your self with your own conscience. With that if you don't turn away from your rebelliousness you will one day lift your eyes in hell. I'm just thinking out loud.
Even "christian celebs" for example a few years one got married. Had this long drawn out boring mess of a wedding. Wasn't married a year before she wrote a book giving "how to keep your man advise" to other women. ( that was before the divorce)
Where in the scriptures are women instructed to think like a man? It's elitist and snobbish to expect a christian to use clean language, dress appropriately for age, gender and faith. Even being disrespectful is supposed to be overlooked and made fun of. Not!
I require evidence of being in the same family I'm in. You should look like my daddy in some way. your behavior should agree with the culture I live in. You know, culture,( the way we do things here.) My daddy has rules and boundaries you must not cross. As good as my daddy is he can't stop you from sending your self to hell. He gives a person a chance many times over to change his ways. He will not make you.
If you have not studied, and practiced to develop a godly mindset your conscience has nothing to confront you with when you are wrong. The holy spirit's job is not to punish. Just remind you of what ever the lord has said. You punish your self with your own conscience. With that if you don't turn away from your rebelliousness you will one day lift your eyes in hell. I'm just thinking out loud.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Seek ye first the kingdom.... Introduction
My pastors began the year with the theme "setting the right order". My personal theme is "first things first, use what you've got." Now, because I'm not in the best financial place of my life the first thing I thought of was, "what do I have?". I had my mind on what I could do to increase my income. I thought of the fact that after I sell all my extra stuff and cut as much as possible out of my expenses I still will need "mo money".
This is when I looked into the compensation plan of a company I deal with every month. Yes! I thought, I love these products, they will be last on the list of cut backs. I need these products anyway and will have to buy them from somewhere. Yes, this could work. Then, what happened?
I'm reading my bible and it jumped off the page. "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Then I visited a friend for far more time than planned. We began to talk about the kingdom. How it is that a well known preacher had tuned in to the kingdom message. Next I went to church and. You're right. My pastors were messing with me. It was as if they were peeking over my shoulders, reading what I was reading, and listening to my thoughts.
I told myself that I wouldn't blog not one word of this revelation. I would just keep it in my journal. OK, so I lied. not to you but to my self. I've learned that what I study is not just for me. I think I will have to do this in parts. The little voice in my head has assured me that no one will read it anyway. So blog on.
Thanks, for sharing, I think I will. I'm speaking to the little voice. Please excuse the private conversation.
We will need to make sure we are on the same page, so, the next blog will be vocabulary.
This is when I looked into the compensation plan of a company I deal with every month. Yes! I thought, I love these products, they will be last on the list of cut backs. I need these products anyway and will have to buy them from somewhere. Yes, this could work. Then, what happened?
I'm reading my bible and it jumped off the page. "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." Then I visited a friend for far more time than planned. We began to talk about the kingdom. How it is that a well known preacher had tuned in to the kingdom message. Next I went to church and. You're right. My pastors were messing with me. It was as if they were peeking over my shoulders, reading what I was reading, and listening to my thoughts.
I told myself that I wouldn't blog not one word of this revelation. I would just keep it in my journal. OK, so I lied. not to you but to my self. I've learned that what I study is not just for me. I think I will have to do this in parts. The little voice in my head has assured me that no one will read it anyway. So blog on.
Thanks, for sharing, I think I will. I'm speaking to the little voice. Please excuse the private conversation.
We will need to make sure we are on the same page, so, the next blog will be vocabulary.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Law with out compassion is deadly
To be at 23:30 up by 0300. some can't drank coffee or tea before bed, I can't watch the news. I awoke crying due to such heart saddening news. A little girl soon to be four years old was court ordered by a judge to be given over to a man who is a registered sex offender.
See he was 38 years old when he impregnated her mother then 14 years old. Her grandmother instead of having him arrested then signed her daughter over for him to marry. Act of stupidity no1. The child's mother had three children for this abuser before leaving him. Before the divorce was final she was pregnant again, this time from another man. She died in an auto accident within a few months of this last child's birth. This man is guilty of domestic violence, and sexual acts committed on a child under 16 years old. (another teen, not her mother)
This child's grandmother has had her all this time, she is a healthy, happy little girl who loves her grandmother. There is a law that says that the child is presumed the child of the husband if they are still legally married when the child is born. It was known this one is not his and today that law is challenged often due to DNA testing. My problem with this story is that this little one is being given to a non-relative stranger. He is a sexual predator who targets young girls. He living conditions would have a social worker trying to remove any children who lived there. He lives with a woman who there can be no doubt needs an advocate. She is developmentally handicapped.
The reporter asked her "what does he want with the child?" the woman answered in a giddy nearly childlike manner " I got to live here so" The judge has handed over this little girl as if she is a house or car that was in dispute in the divorce case. What ever happened to the best interest of the child?
This baby has been screwed over by the law and placed in position to be raped as in sexually assaulted by this man. She's not his blood so in his sick mind she would be fair game. I am sick over this. I'm praying. If this man is not to be around children he can not be employed or volunteer to be around the elderly or the mentally ill anyone who would not be able to fend for them selves. How do you let one law overide a law that protects? lengths to keep my baby out of harms way. Even if I had to go to
prison. My God deal with this judge who does not appear to have compassion. If he had he would have allowed the laws that protect children over ride the so called persumed father law. we no longer have to make such a presumsion.
See he was 38 years old when he impregnated her mother then 14 years old. Her grandmother instead of having him arrested then signed her daughter over for him to marry. Act of stupidity no1. The child's mother had three children for this abuser before leaving him. Before the divorce was final she was pregnant again, this time from another man. She died in an auto accident within a few months of this last child's birth. This man is guilty of domestic violence, and sexual acts committed on a child under 16 years old. (another teen, not her mother)
This child's grandmother has had her all this time, she is a healthy, happy little girl who loves her grandmother. There is a law that says that the child is presumed the child of the husband if they are still legally married when the child is born. It was known this one is not his and today that law is challenged often due to DNA testing. My problem with this story is that this little one is being given to a non-relative stranger. He is a sexual predator who targets young girls. He living conditions would have a social worker trying to remove any children who lived there. He lives with a woman who there can be no doubt needs an advocate. She is developmentally handicapped.
The reporter asked her "what does he want with the child?" the woman answered in a giddy nearly childlike manner " I got to live here so" The judge has handed over this little girl as if she is a house or car that was in dispute in the divorce case. What ever happened to the best interest of the child?
This baby has been screwed over by the law and placed in position to be raped as in sexually assaulted by this man. She's not his blood so in his sick mind she would be fair game. I am sick over this. I'm praying. If this man is not to be around children he can not be employed or volunteer to be around the elderly or the mentally ill anyone who would not be able to fend for them selves. How do you let one law overide a law that protects? lengths to keep my baby out of harms way. Even if I had to go to
prison. My God deal with this judge who does not appear to have compassion. If he had he would have allowed the laws that protect children over ride the so called persumed father law. we no longer have to make such a presumsion.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
No appology
Its hard to be motivated with out confidence. feedback from others play a large part in how we feel about our selves. However,confidence in who we are motivates us to be the best we can be
confidence, the knowing that we can do it. we can be. We can succeed, empowers us to get started and keep at it even when obstacles appear. This knowing seeks and finds solutions to the problems and overcomes the obstacles.
When our self esteem is bonded with who God says we are and what he says we can do, have or go, there need be no concern over stated pride or arrogance. No need to be stumped by the opinions of those who don't know him and may be suffering with self esteem issues of their own.
One need not apologize for not wanting to stay where he came from. I was once on welfare. I haven't forgotten. I just would rather earn my own money. live in my house and go to the grocery store when I want to. Buy my children what I want them to have and see the doctor I want to see. I'd rather have the freedom that welfare can't afford me. Nothing wrong with being on welfare. It was a helping hand at a time of need. So, I have no put down for those who need it now. At the same time I see no reason to accept anyone opinion as to what I may think of myself because I've moved on.
The good thing about my God and my country is that if one is physically and mentally able, he may grow up in public housing, be on welfare and buy grocery with food stamps, still get a quality education and become a white color, blue color or no collar professional. He can have a job, own a job, or own a business. Its up to him.
So, how is your self-esteem? Is it based on feelings evoked by the opinions of others or is it based on the knowing and doing according to God's instructions. Hey, it is your choice.
confidence, the knowing that we can do it. we can be. We can succeed, empowers us to get started and keep at it even when obstacles appear. This knowing seeks and finds solutions to the problems and overcomes the obstacles.
When our self esteem is bonded with who God says we are and what he says we can do, have or go, there need be no concern over stated pride or arrogance. No need to be stumped by the opinions of those who don't know him and may be suffering with self esteem issues of their own.
One need not apologize for not wanting to stay where he came from. I was once on welfare. I haven't forgotten. I just would rather earn my own money. live in my house and go to the grocery store when I want to. Buy my children what I want them to have and see the doctor I want to see. I'd rather have the freedom that welfare can't afford me. Nothing wrong with being on welfare. It was a helping hand at a time of need. So, I have no put down for those who need it now. At the same time I see no reason to accept anyone opinion as to what I may think of myself because I've moved on.
The good thing about my God and my country is that if one is physically and mentally able, he may grow up in public housing, be on welfare and buy grocery with food stamps, still get a quality education and become a white color, blue color or no collar professional. He can have a job, own a job, or own a business. Its up to him.
So, how is your self-esteem? Is it based on feelings evoked by the opinions of others or is it based on the knowing and doing according to God's instructions. Hey, it is your choice.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Just thinking out loud concerning Luke 16
Sometimes during my bible study time I have questions. My thing for words, their meaning and proper usage sometimes get me in trouble. Like most people I many times think I know the correct definition of a word and all it's shades of meaning. I don't. So, I and Mr. Webster have to confer with each other.
Now, where the trouble comes in is that when we get together my mind goes ballistic. I want to know the meaning of the words used to define the original word I looked up. There is a method to my madness. See, I was taught never to define a word using the word. Dictionaries today do just that.
Today was no different. Luke 16 Jesus tells of a steward accused of mishandling his employer's wealth.
He's called in for an audit and told that he is about to lose his job.. Now in verse 4, he resolves to speak with his employer's debtors. He makes a deal with them to change their invoices to look like they owe less then they do.
Now when his employer checks the accounts he praises him. The employer calls him shrewd (NKJV). that sounds like he may have been impressed with the way his employee handled business. Jesus comments that the sons of the world are more shrewd in their generation that the sons of light. then in Vs.9 he says "and I say to you. Make friends for your selves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." Vs 10 How you do anything is how you do everything (Me) Vs11 he says that if you can't be trusted with what the world values how can you be trusted with what is of great true value. (Me) and if you are unfaithful in the business of your employer, who will back you in a business of your own. also (Me)
Verse 13 is a popular verse of many preachers. Its a saying that the churched and unchurched alike know well. "No servant can serve two masters; for he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."( NKJ)
This seems cut and dried. So, what had me in deep study and what was the out come of it? Glad you asked.
First for a little vocabulary:
Shrewd: Keen, astute
Keen: sharp, excellent ,mentally alert, acute eyesight.
Astute: discerning, revealing insight and understanding, prudent
Prudent: Shrewd in the management of practical affairs, discreet, provident,frugal, judicial, foresighted, sensible, sane
Discrete: non-contineous
Discreet :showing good judgement, capable
Mammon: Wealth (out side of the influence of the bible wealth is not influential, good or bad, of it self and in other languages and translations the word unrighteous is not found before it.)
Man: human being, adult male, possessing in high degree the qualities considered distinctive of manhood, adult mail servant, (often cap) White society or people (freebie has nothing to do with this thought)
Here is what I,( remember I'm thinking out loud), got out of this parable.
The sons of the world know better how to maneuver and prosper in their world. They recognize and are keenly aware of how their systems work. they use that knowledge. They have vision, insight and good judgement in applying this knowledge to manage their affairs. Not so with the children of light.
The employee knowing that the men his employer dealt with would be indebted to him for the favor,
used their propensity (bent, leaning toward) for greed to influence them to do evil. I'm sure he was counting on the knowledge of what they had done to give him leverage should he need a job and they want to refuse him.
About the sons of the world being more shrewd than the children of light?
Well, We have a kingdom system to work and prosper in. Yet we don't appear to know how to use it. We seem IMO to lack understanding or maybe just not use what we have.
Vs 9 really seems strange." Make friends for yourselves ( with, no,no,no) BY unrighteous mammon." The translations that leave out the unrighteous part actually make sense to me. Because I don't see money or wealth as being a personality or as having influence. So, if I understand correctly " make friends by wealth" than to me that says wealth can be used to make friends and influence people. ( I may read too much) I think that is what the employee did. He used the debtors love of wealth to influence them to do wrong. Now Jesus did not say to influence anyone to do wrong he simply pointed what had been pointed out before. " though a poor man be wise ,no one listens because he is poor" The everlasting habitations of the unrighteous is in hell. Jesus was not, w. a. s. n. o. t. saying this was the thing to do
He is saying be astute, be keen be aware have understanding in the things of the kingdom. Be faithful in applying ones self in kingdom business. To he who can give a good accounting he will trust with even more.
finally, Vs13 "No servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon.
I (its personal y'all) am to and I will serve God and God alone. Wealth is my servant. As my servant wealth is only allowed to answer; Yes, Ms Staci. :-) just thinking out loud.
Now, where the trouble comes in is that when we get together my mind goes ballistic. I want to know the meaning of the words used to define the original word I looked up. There is a method to my madness. See, I was taught never to define a word using the word. Dictionaries today do just that.
Today was no different. Luke 16 Jesus tells of a steward accused of mishandling his employer's wealth.
He's called in for an audit and told that he is about to lose his job.. Now in verse 4, he resolves to speak with his employer's debtors. He makes a deal with them to change their invoices to look like they owe less then they do.
Now when his employer checks the accounts he praises him. The employer calls him shrewd (NKJV). that sounds like he may have been impressed with the way his employee handled business. Jesus comments that the sons of the world are more shrewd in their generation that the sons of light. then in Vs.9 he says "and I say to you. Make friends for your selves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." Vs 10 How you do anything is how you do everything (Me) Vs11 he says that if you can't be trusted with what the world values how can you be trusted with what is of great true value. (Me) and if you are unfaithful in the business of your employer, who will back you in a business of your own. also (Me)
Verse 13 is a popular verse of many preachers. Its a saying that the churched and unchurched alike know well. "No servant can serve two masters; for he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."( NKJ)
This seems cut and dried. So, what had me in deep study and what was the out come of it? Glad you asked.
First for a little vocabulary:
Shrewd: Keen, astute
Keen: sharp, excellent ,mentally alert, acute eyesight.
Astute: discerning, revealing insight and understanding, prudent
Prudent: Shrewd in the management of practical affairs, discreet, provident,frugal, judicial, foresighted, sensible, sane
Discrete: non-contineous
Discreet :showing good judgement, capable
Mammon: Wealth (out side of the influence of the bible wealth is not influential, good or bad, of it self and in other languages and translations the word unrighteous is not found before it.)
Man: human being, adult male, possessing in high degree the qualities considered distinctive of manhood, adult mail servant, (often cap) White society or people (freebie has nothing to do with this thought)
Here is what I,( remember I'm thinking out loud), got out of this parable.
The sons of the world know better how to maneuver and prosper in their world. They recognize and are keenly aware of how their systems work. they use that knowledge. They have vision, insight and good judgement in applying this knowledge to manage their affairs. Not so with the children of light.
The employee knowing that the men his employer dealt with would be indebted to him for the favor,
used their propensity (bent, leaning toward) for greed to influence them to do evil. I'm sure he was counting on the knowledge of what they had done to give him leverage should he need a job and they want to refuse him.
About the sons of the world being more shrewd than the children of light?
Well, We have a kingdom system to work and prosper in. Yet we don't appear to know how to use it. We seem IMO to lack understanding or maybe just not use what we have.
Vs 9 really seems strange." Make friends for yourselves ( with, no,no,no) BY unrighteous mammon." The translations that leave out the unrighteous part actually make sense to me. Because I don't see money or wealth as being a personality or as having influence. So, if I understand correctly " make friends by wealth" than to me that says wealth can be used to make friends and influence people. ( I may read too much) I think that is what the employee did. He used the debtors love of wealth to influence them to do wrong. Now Jesus did not say to influence anyone to do wrong he simply pointed what had been pointed out before. " though a poor man be wise ,no one listens because he is poor" The everlasting habitations of the unrighteous is in hell. Jesus was not, w. a. s. n. o. t. saying this was the thing to do
He is saying be astute, be keen be aware have understanding in the things of the kingdom. Be faithful in applying ones self in kingdom business. To he who can give a good accounting he will trust with even more.
finally, Vs13 "No servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon.
I (its personal y'all) am to and I will serve God and God alone. Wealth is my servant. As my servant wealth is only allowed to answer; Yes, Ms Staci. :-) just thinking out loud.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Victorious Life Weekly New Letter Highlights Manas'seh's founder.
Spotlight On Christian Connections
We are delighted to welcome Minister S. Staci Anderson to Christian Connections. She is the Founder of Manesseh Christian Ministries, Inc. She has ministered in Word and song in prison, adult and juvenile detention centers, nursing homes, church work shops and conferences on four continents, Christian radio and television. She is a native and current resident of Jacksonville, Florida and attends Heritage Christian Center.
Minister Staci is a continuous learner and believes her quest to gain knowledge and better understanding of God's Word is not just for her. Her mission is to teach and exhort the Body of Christ to grow up spiritually, to know, reverence and worship God.
To learn more about Minister Staci, visit www.vl-ministries.org, Christian Connections
We are delighted to welcome Minister S. Staci Anderson to Christian Connections. She is the Founder of Manesseh Christian Ministries, Inc. She has ministered in Word and song in prison, adult and juvenile detention centers, nursing homes, church work shops and conferences on four continents, Christian radio and television. She is a native and current resident of Jacksonville, Florida and attends Heritage Christian Center.
Minister Staci is a continuous learner and believes her quest to gain knowledge and better understanding of God's Word is not just for her. Her mission is to teach and exhort the Body of Christ to grow up spiritually, to know, reverence and worship God.
To learn more about Minister Staci, visit www.vl-ministries.org, Christian Connections
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