In the Beginning God...not man

I have stayed pretty quiet on many of the political debates raging in our country. Not because they are unimportant or I lack an opinion (if you know me, I always have an opinion), but more so, because I have not felt compelled to speak...until now. 

My compulsion doesn't come from a place of anger or fear Romans 8:28 provides us with a peace

 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

I believe fully what scripture tells us. If I, and anyone else who professes Christ, truly trusts the Lord and loves Him... heart, mind and body...God, Himself, is working for His good and mine. If God is for me, what power does any man have to stand against Him? 

My compulsion comes from a need to REPEAT, not create. My opinion is not that important. Instead,  I feel like I need to repeat what Scripture says on the issue of gender. Is this a proclamation? Sure, but it is also a reminder. A reminder to those who claim that name of Christ, those who would label themselves "christian" or "Christ-follower." 

Read what God wrote in Genesis 1:27

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Gender is "God Assigned," not man given. It is not determined by a short-sighted doctor at delivery. This is the beauty of knowing God is BIGGER than us. How many illegitimate, life-changing decisions would I have made as a teenager going through puberty if I would have been told that my ways were higher than His? Haven't we all felt uncomfortable in our own skin at times and wanted to change something? What has kept us from trying to over-ride His ways? Christ alone, and praise God, He protected me from such a low view of Him. 

You see, some things are God assigned. I truly believe that the conversation that has embraced our country from the White House to voices in our local community is not an attack on American values. I believe it is the scheme of sinful man to once again attack our Creator. It is disguised well? Yes, but do not be fooled, you Christian are not the main target. Baseball and Cracker-Jacks...the American Dream is not its foe. No, this one is aimed at Christ, Himself. 

Where do we stand?

 Whom else would I stand with, Christ holds the words to eternal life.  (John 6:68)

What shall I do? 

The Lord will fight for you...be still (Ex. 14:14)

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Rom. 12:19)

Church we are called to trust the Lord, live for Him and stand with Him. If we sin in our actions "fighting for God" we squeeze Him out of the situation. We must behave in a way that people "will see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven."  And if it comes to it, and we are asked, like the disciples in Acts 5, to obey a command that is an attack against God, then our actions and answers are already given... 

"But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men."

Church, be alert. Be faithful. Be loving. 

In these things, know that the one who is being attacked has been attacked since the fall. He was not concerned then, and He is not threatened now. 

Pray without ceasing and make sure that you are careful where you stand, lest you fall. 

Keep your eyes on Him, follow His command, stand firm in your faith. 

We know who has already won this one!

Celebrate Your Progress

It is our first full day on a cruise. So far, so good. Christi and I both begin the 2nd leg of life this week. Of our 40 years of life, we have known each other for 3/4 of it and have loved each other 1/2 of it. Pretty awesome when you consider that!

We have endured, overcome, and celebrated more than I could ever put into words...and I was reminded of that this morning.

Last night we went through a storm on the boat. We are on the 10th deck, so the swaying was obvious. When I got out this morning the evidence of what we had gone through was obvious. Everything was soaked, tied down and the sky was still cloudy and dark. I went to the side to have my morning quiet time and just took in my surrounding. Although we were in the dark, I could see in the distance a big patch of light and we were headed for it. It was pretty cool, knowing the we would soon be in the sun and I could see the ocean in the full light of day! Since it was a ways out, I sat down and spent some time reading.

Isaiah 40---one of my favorite, if not my favorite, chapters in all of scripture. V.12 says,

Who has measured the waters in the hallow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance.

As I considered how incredible God was, I looked up. Couldn't see the patch of light we were once headed toward. I looked around and all I could see were dark patches in the distance. Then the weight of it all sat in...I was in the light patch, it just wasn't the full light that I had thought I saw in the distance. I had a choice, mourn the fact that the "relief" that I thought awaited me was not so bright, or be excited that I had come through a dark time and even in the "light" there was still more to come!

This is marriage! God has created a beautiful scene for a man and woman. How many lives have fallen apart when they made it through the dark times to the light patch. When they realized it wasn't the end, only progress...they quit.  GOD DIDN'T DESIGN YOU TO QUIT IN THE PROGRESS, BUT TO REJOICE IN IT!

Christi and I have not arrived! Praise God! That means there is more....much more... to come! As I look back, I thank God that we endured the dark spots and have no desire to go back. I rejoice that God led us the bright spots in our past...looking back, even some of those seem dark in comparison to the light we love each other in now. How amazing is it that even now, we have not reached the finish line, but our GREAT GOD has still brighter places for us to seek!

Who could conceive of such a plan? Not me, I want Point A to Point B as fast as you can. But God in His greatness wants me to celebrate the progress, not just endure the road.

Not sure when on this cruise we will see the sun uninhibited, but it will get here eventually. Of that I am sure. Until then, I'll make the most of the progress we've made this far!