Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi – written in 2015

A light house does not blow fog horns but it only shines.  

When I read the above I thought of our walk as Christians.  Does our life reflect the light  of Jesus.  St Mark 4:21: and he said unto them, is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?  A candle beams its flickering light so we may find our way in the dark as does the Lighthouse.  As Christians we should let our light shine & walk in the light of Christ.  We need not blow fog horns but just shine & let the Holy Spirit beam through us.  Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord……i grew up in a very legalistic religion & if we did have a little light, it was totally blown out with dos & don’ts & lots of fear. 1 John 4:7: Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God….10: herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us & sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4 is filled with scriptures of love.  The pendulum swings both ways but should be in balance.  I guess my desire is not to be a fog horn but a flickering light for our Lord.

In order to protect our hearts from the pain and wounds of the world we both consciously and subconsciously build walls. These walls take all sorts of forms. Some walls are built for appearance so that outward beauty covers up inward brokenness. Some walls are built to be strong and tough so that pride and strength cover up inward vulnerability and self-consciousness. Some walls are built in order to blend in so that people pass us by altogether and never try to know us. Whatever wall we choose to build, one thing’s for certain: the walls might guard us from harm, but they also keep us from ever experiencing true life.  Greg Denison First 15 April 11, 2018

I looked up the definition of walls and found there were many kinds of walls – load-bearing walls, non-bearing walls, a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense, a mass of people or things formed in such a way that you cannot get through or past them, etc etc; but the walls I was interested in are the walls we build around us to protect people knowing our real self.

I liked Greg Denison analysis of walls we build around ourselves to keep disappointment, hurt, pain, etc from creeping into our souls.  Maybe you are one of the blessed that have not had to deal with hiding behind walls but I have.  I can remember every hurt I endured through life, I would say “not again” and up went a wall.  I can remember one time in Dallas, Texas, when I was trying to be accepted and please the world, I prayed; “Jesus, what do you want me to do and be”? Deep within I heard “Be yourself”.  It took many years to finally realize that is who He created me to be – ‘myself’.  In Ps 139:14-15 God talks about how he knew us before we were born and how wonderful his workmanship was in creating us to be exactly how he wanted us to be.  “Be yourself”.  If that is enough for God, I guess it’s enough for me.

He gives us strength to turn our messes into momentum and our battles into victories.(Robert Morgan).

His strength, His guidance, and His love is a rock I heavily lean on.  In all my “messes” I have created, if I will totally surrender to him, He is faithful to walk me through from the valley to the mountain top.   In the tabernacle study, on the day of atonement, the altar was the place for burning animal sacrifices. It showed the Israelites that the first step for sinful man to approach a holy God was to be cleansed by the blood of an innocent creature. For a sin offering, a person had to bring an animal — a male one without blemish or defect from the flock or herd.  Do you think for one moment, an animal sacrifice went to the altar without kicking. I don’t think so.  As, Jesus told, the apostle Paul (then known as Saul) on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians, “Paul, Paul, it is hard for you to kick against the pricks”, which is a Greek proverb, but it was also familiar to the Jews and anyone who made a living in agriculture. An ox goad was a stick with a pointed piece of iron on its tip used to prod the oxen when plowing. The farmer would prick the animal to steer it in the right direction. Sometimes the animal would rebel by kicking out at the prick, and this would result in the prick being driven even further into its flesh. In essence, the more an ox rebelled, the more it suffered.  The same analogy can be for us.  When we kick against God’s guidance and do our own thing, we incur a mess.  Only when we totally surrender, can God intervene and lead us to the mountain top.  I have asked myself many times, why do I kick against God’s will – I presume, I think I know what is best for me, and if I insist on following my will, hoping God will eventually agree with me, I usually find myself in a “boiling pot” cooking with stress.  It’s only when I truly surrender and stop kicking do I find peace, love, joy, and out of the stress-boiling water pot to the fresh springs on the mountain top.  I know I need to stop “kicking” and start believing that my Abba Father wants more for me than I want for myself – will I ever learn, I ask?

Gal 6:3 – For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Heb 13:2 – Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

I was early for church yesterday morning so I decided to drink a cup of coffee & sit down for a brief few minutes on that comfortable looking couch where no one was sitting.  Just as I got comfortable & was reading emails on my iPhone, I noticed a man who looked as though he had climbed out of a gutter approaching my solitary domain.  I wondered to myself should I get up & leave, but then I thought how rude that would be.  So I stayed hoping he would drink his coffee & not say anything to me.  Wrong, first he started with very complimentary words & I thanked him.  Then for the next fifteen or so minutes, he reminisced about his life.  He was married twice – one for 50 years the other 30 years.  That didn’t make since as he would have been 80 years married & he wasn’t that old.  He rambled on & on about his wonderful marriages & his lovely wives.  He seemed to have lost himself in his memories.  Finally, it was time for church so I got up & extended my hand & introduced myself to him & left him with his memories.  As I was walking toward the sanctuary I noted another man who was evidently watching us, he made a motion with his hands that indicated the person I was speaking to talked too much.  Maybe, maybe not…we don’t know what might have happened in his life to cause him to be homeless & hopeless.  I don’t know but what I do know, his memories of a life filled with love, happiness, & joy, kept him going.  Memories- what would we do without them.

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” – Robert Brault

“As the Misfit in Flannery O’Connor’s short story observes of this resurrected one, Jesus went and “thrown everything off balance.” The unlikely prophet reasons, “If He did what He said, then it’s nothing for you to do but throw away everything and follow Him, and if He didn’t, then it’s nothing for you to do but enjoy the few minutes you got left the best way you can.”

In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul addresses those who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead when Christ returns (verse 12). Paul rebukes them, since, if there is no life after death, they may as well live according to “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (verse 32). At its root, the philosophy of “eat, drink, and be merry” is an expression hopelessness.

According to the Christian Acts of the Apostles: The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, whereas the Pharisees did.  The Sadducees also rejected the notion of spirits or angels, whereas the Pharisees acknowledged them.

My comment on the Sadducees belief is they are “Sad-you-see”. Yes, if there is no resurrection eat, drink and be merry.  Do your on thing whatever it is.  But, if there is a resurrection, which I believe, have hope, joy, and peace.  Life is full of choices. And, from my own experience, I have made some bad ones but also good ones.  I have deeply regretted the wrong ones but when I said, “yes” to believe and have faith in Jesus, His grace covered all my wrongs.  The resurrection of Jesus declared a new winner. Thus, his resurrection is not a promise for a later time, another world, another house, but rather this house, God’s house, this life, now.  “The house of God is occupied by one whose death and life and resurrection prepares a place for insiders and outsiders, neighbors and enemies all around us. Whether prodigals or pilgrims, in this house we discover the God who welcomes the multitudes eternally home.”  Jill Carattini

Again, we choose – I chose.

This painting is hanging in my bedroom.  I painted it years ago.  The subject is my hands in Christ’s hands.  A friend of mine posed as Christ holding my hands.  Another friend took the picture.  I used the picture to paint it.  I look at the painting nightly to remind me of a time in my life when I needed to know, Jesus, was holding me in His hands.  The title of the painting is “In His hands”.

picture is not rest….will send in another blog.

Just a thought by coppi

Truly this was the son of God.  (Mt 27)

All throughout Scripture God reiterates a consistent, powerful metaphor: light and dark. Scripture depicts the darkness as that which is without God and light as that which has God in it. (Craig Denison)

When I read these words this morning in Matthew, my ears perked up as I am reminded of our world today.  In my opinion, in seems our country has drifted far from the words “In God we trust”.  I have said this before in my writings what my dear mother use to say “When you take God out of a Country, it will fall”.  And, as I    see what’s going on in our country and  world, I wonder if once again we are faced with unbelief and “there is no God”.  The Old Testament and the history of the Israelites will confirm what happens when one goes their on way and not following the ways of God.  When we crucify God and decide He is no longer needed or alive, we base decisions on human beliefs.  

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Cor:3:16

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

Good and evil. Light and dark.  We must accept that both light and dark exist, that we can engage with both, and learn what it is to choose light at every turn.  May we open our eyes to the darkness/evil in our world and not let evil overcome the light and wisdom God gives us to make right choices.  We know from scriptures/God’s word what happens when we go our own way.  My prayer is that we awaken to the evil going on before it’s too late and our words will not be: “This was God and we chose evil over good”.  We crucified Him.

“Here’s a question every angry man and woman needs to consider: How long are you going to allow people you don’t even like — people who are no longer in your life, maybe even people who aren’t even alive anymore — to control your life? How long?”– Andy Stanley

Interesting quote by Andy Stanley. For me, not so much today as it was in “yesterday years”.  I took a course on A WayOut that has helped me with this issue.  I have had to put up boundaries, but sometimes, I have to admit, the ugly rises it’s head.  I am a sensitive individual and truly dislike confrontation in any way.  However, stuffing your feelings is very harmful to your health as well as your joy, happiness, and being.  I am a follower of Jesus and have leaned on the teaching of the Bible for guidance and directions through my life. I will end this thought with “people are people and if you allow them to control you with their opinion , etc, and if they get angry if you do not agree with them then you are stuffing your anger.”  For me, I  seek the guidance of Jesus through journalizing the anger I feel and prayer.  Be the person God created; make amends if you are wrong, and don’t be controlled by anger of any kind.

Good Morning this is God

I will be handling all your problems today

I will not need your help

So have a good day

Ps 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord  & He will take care of you…

1 Peter 5:7. Let Him have all your worries & cares for He is always thinking about you & watching everything that concerns you….

Mt 11:28-30. Come unto me, all who labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest…….

These are only a few scriptures in the Bible that tells us to bring our concerns, hurts, pain, grief, & whatever we are going through to Him & leave them there….I do bring my burdens to Him in prayer & say “Lord, I can’t handle them anymore.” But, before the day is over, I am picking up my “I can’t handle them anymore” & dragging them around like a heavy sack of potatoes.  Ps 62:8 O my people, trust in Him, for God is our refuge…….my victory comes from Him.  King David went through many ups & downs in his life but he knew the source who would & did bring him through the valleys to the mountain tops.  So look up oh downcast soul…look to the mountains where your help comes from….my help comes from the Lord who made heaven & earth…Ps 121:1-8

Just a thought by coppi

I was reading this morning different authors reflecting on prayer.  Following are some that tugged my heart strings:

Philip Yancey – “I have not attempted a guide book that details techniques such as fasting, prayer retreats, & spiritual direction.  I investigate the topic of prayer as a pilgrim strolling about, staring at the monuments, asking questions, mulling things over, testing the water.  I admit to an imbalance, overreaction to time, spent among Christians who promise too much & pondered too little, and as a result, I try to err on the side of honesty & not pretense”.

Charles Spurgeon – prayer makes the darken’d cloud withdraw; prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw; gives exercise to faith & love: brings every blessing from above.

Crandall Chauncey, a cardiologist’s encounters with death and…..”I picture this world as a sort of pre-op room where we are prepared for the real healing to come”.  “11 Cor 5:7 – we live by faith not by sight.  In faith I will trust what I see but will pray she/he lives”

Not too long ago, my dear friends, asked me to go to Tampa General to pray for a friend, who was shot & developed an infection in his body. When we walked into the room, all I saw was a person who looked like a mummy.  His body was wrapped from head to toe with gauze, he was hanging from some kind of contraption, I guess to prevent bed sores.  The only part of him I could see was his eyes that pierced through holes in his mummy garment.  My friends are very strong in faith & I thought I was, but what I saw diminished whatever faith I had;  “Jesus I will trust what I see but will pray he lives” was my prayer.  His church family was praying, his family & dear wife, and friends, bombarded heaven for his healing.  His recovery was miraculous.  Prayer do I understand it.  No.  But, we are told to pray in the Bible.  Jesus, himself, spent much time in prayer.  I am like Philip Yancey “I investigate the topic of prayer as a pilgrim strolling about……..”

When we get to heaven, I have a feeling, we will wish we spent more time in prayer.

Just a thought by coppi