Thursday, November 21, 2013
Personal Update
I am again for looking for work. I am experienced in care giving and some general office or clerical work. I would appreciate your prayers as I go back out into the job seeking world....
Monday, November 11, 2013
More On High Tech / Low Touch
I worked retail for a couple of months at the customer service desk. When I first started my manager told me "Greet, greet, greet." So I did. I tried to engage everyone one coming in the door. I missed a few which was my bad. (She later told me that just in case I hadn't noticed!). But often I said hello or welcome to someone well engaged in a cell phone conversation.
I guess I can understand the rudeness walking in the door but it really bothered me much more at the checkout counter. To carry on a conversation on the phone when trying to check out is just plain rude. I fear however, we have come to such a thing. A few people would either put the phone person on hold or actually hang up and engage in the checkout process.
I grieve what society is becoming. First we lost the big front porch and the chance it afforded to sit and shoot the breeze with neighbors and friends. Then we lost clothesline in the backyard where women could chat over the fence while hanging the laundry out to dry. Then we lost the single telephone with a busy single when the line was tied up. Does anyone remember party lines? I do. Now we are so engrossed in our cellphone conversations as to ignore the person next to or in front of us. It is a scary thing to depersonalize so much. God created us in His image and as such we are social beings. We need to interact. Next time you are in a store on the phone, hang up. You just might make the cashier's day.
I guess I can understand the rudeness walking in the door but it really bothered me much more at the checkout counter. To carry on a conversation on the phone when trying to check out is just plain rude. I fear however, we have come to such a thing. A few people would either put the phone person on hold or actually hang up and engage in the checkout process.
I grieve what society is becoming. First we lost the big front porch and the chance it afforded to sit and shoot the breeze with neighbors and friends. Then we lost clothesline in the backyard where women could chat over the fence while hanging the laundry out to dry. Then we lost the single telephone with a busy single when the line was tied up. Does anyone remember party lines? I do. Now we are so engrossed in our cellphone conversations as to ignore the person next to or in front of us. It is a scary thing to depersonalize so much. God created us in His image and as such we are social beings. We need to interact. Next time you are in a store on the phone, hang up. You just might make the cashier's day.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Community--High Touch / Low Tech
Tonight I was able to gather with a large group of believing women who love the Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrated the fact that God had knit a baby boy in his mother's womb. It was good to be with the sisters to laugh, share and pray with and for one another. The fellowship was sweet and much needed. There is nothing that can replace a smile, a hug and face to face conversation.
I haven't been texting too long and love having the feature on my phone. But there is a caveat with it. It is surely high tech but low on the touch meter. Texting has its purpose. It is wonderful to let others know when you might arrive somewhere or agree to a place to meet. It can be a sweet quick reminder that a friend is praying for you. But when it replaces in person communication I think it can be dangerous. At least it was for me. I relied more on texting and less on touching.
I realized I was losing something that God created for humans. He means for us to be relational on a personal level. He wants us to know and see one another. One study showed that 7% of communication is vocabulary, 38% is tone or inflection and 55% is non verbal cues. 93% of our communication is not reliant on our words. A telephone screen leaves off a lot of what it means to be human. Am I giving up the text feature? No indeed. But I am going to be more careful to call or visit and thus enjoy the high touch low tech means of communicating.
I haven't been texting too long and love having the feature on my phone. But there is a caveat with it. It is surely high tech but low on the touch meter. Texting has its purpose. It is wonderful to let others know when you might arrive somewhere or agree to a place to meet. It can be a sweet quick reminder that a friend is praying for you. But when it replaces in person communication I think it can be dangerous. At least it was for me. I relied more on texting and less on touching.
I realized I was losing something that God created for humans. He means for us to be relational on a personal level. He wants us to know and see one another. One study showed that 7% of communication is vocabulary, 38% is tone or inflection and 55% is non verbal cues. 93% of our communication is not reliant on our words. A telephone screen leaves off a lot of what it means to be human. Am I giving up the text feature? No indeed. But I am going to be more careful to call or visit and thus enjoy the high touch low tech means of communicating.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Jehovah Azar
I have studied the names of God some in the thirty five years I have been a believer. A few nights ago I was listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss who talked about God as the one who helps. The name is Jehovah Ezer. It is also spelled Jehovah Azar. The Lord is my helper. He is the One to whom I can turn for solace and aid. It is from Psalm 30:10 which reads: “Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me; O Lord, be my helper.”
How comforting to know that God is a very present help in times of trouble. He loves those who call on His name. He is a strong tower and all who know Him run to Him and are safe. He doesn't leave or forsake us but is out great aid. The Holy Spirit is the paraclete and comes alongside of us. The Father watches over us and tends us as His own children. God had delivered David from much peril when he wrote this Psalm. He thanks God for His freedom and he encouraged others to be equally grateful. God is a God of refuge and help. He is the One we can turn to at any time and praise Him for His faithfulness to us as a heavenly Father protecting and guiding His child.
How comforting to know that God is a very present help in times of trouble. He loves those who call on His name. He is a strong tower and all who know Him run to Him and are safe. He doesn't leave or forsake us but is out great aid. The Holy Spirit is the paraclete and comes alongside of us. The Father watches over us and tends us as His own children. God had delivered David from much peril when he wrote this Psalm. He thanks God for His freedom and he encouraged others to be equally grateful. God is a God of refuge and help. He is the One we can turn to at any time and praise Him for His faithfulness to us as a heavenly Father protecting and guiding His child.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The Stubborn Weed
I know it has been a long time since I posted anything. I have my reasons for the sabbatical. I am not sure how consistent I will be as I start anew. But I hope to post more frequently than I have in the past few months.
There are a lot of weeds in the lawn of my apartment complex. I am sure the manager wouldn't be happy if I told her my blog post was about the weedy lawn. Oh well. There is a particular kind of woody weed that is very difficult, if not impossible, to pull out of dry soil. It has a huge root with lots of tentacles creeping underneath the sod. Often the best that can be done is to pull the leafy part of the stem but to leave the root intact. However when we get a lot of rain the weed pulls easily out of the lawn root and all. For some reason I enjoy picking the weeds right after a heavy rain. Gives me a sense of accomplishment. It also makes me feel like I am giving the lawn a chance.
As I was pulling some of the weeds these past few days, I thought of the nature of sin. It is very resilient. Its tentacles run deep into the often hard and claylike soil. Sometimes we try to uproot it but only break off the leafy or showy parts above the ground. We can make it appear we have done the hard work when we have only skimmed the surface. However, just as water makes the weed pull up easily; the water of the Word is needed to soften the roots of sin. Only then can the Holy Spirit totally destroy the unwanted transgression in our life. Pulling weeds from the lawn makes the grass freer to grow. Pulling weeds from the heart makes our spirits free to grow.
There are a lot of weeds in the lawn of my apartment complex. I am sure the manager wouldn't be happy if I told her my blog post was about the weedy lawn. Oh well. There is a particular kind of woody weed that is very difficult, if not impossible, to pull out of dry soil. It has a huge root with lots of tentacles creeping underneath the sod. Often the best that can be done is to pull the leafy part of the stem but to leave the root intact. However when we get a lot of rain the weed pulls easily out of the lawn root and all. For some reason I enjoy picking the weeds right after a heavy rain. Gives me a sense of accomplishment. It also makes me feel like I am giving the lawn a chance.
As I was pulling some of the weeds these past few days, I thought of the nature of sin. It is very resilient. Its tentacles run deep into the often hard and claylike soil. Sometimes we try to uproot it but only break off the leafy or showy parts above the ground. We can make it appear we have done the hard work when we have only skimmed the surface. However, just as water makes the weed pull up easily; the water of the Word is needed to soften the roots of sin. Only then can the Holy Spirit totally destroy the unwanted transgression in our life. Pulling weeds from the lawn makes the grass freer to grow. Pulling weeds from the heart makes our spirits free to grow.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
End Time Prophecy II
To continue a few more interesting facts. According to Ezekiel 38 Gomer which is Turkey now would join the attack against Israel. In the early 2000s Turkey's prominent political party was pro-Islamic. An Islamic president was selected in 2007. The same passage indicates that neither Jordan or Egypt would join the attack. Both have signed peace treaties with the nation Israel. The move toward a one world religion accelerates as diverse religious beliefs come together in a world wide bid for peace. Gather hands and sing Kumbaya
There is also a worldwide apostasy that seems to be growing daily. I Timothy 4:1 states that some will fall away from the faith giving heed to demonic doctrines. Here in America and elsewhere pseudo-Christianity flourishes. There are any number of errant doctrines perpetrated among the lands. Yet the Gospel is being preached to all nations. Bible societies has given out approximately 500 million portions or entire Scriptures a year. The Temple Institute in Israel have already created the furniture, vessels and priestly garments ready for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. Young men are being trained for the Levitical Priesthood
One last interesting fact is that Ancient Petra in Jordan would be a refuge for fleeing Jews during the end times. In 1994 Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty with each other. Petra may indeed be a haven for the Jews to hide from the coming Antichrist. I. know we must be careful to not be too specific about current events and how they might be prophetically linked. I also believe that God's Word is specific and just all the prophecies were literally fulfilled in Christ's First Coming; so may those be at His Return.
There is also a worldwide apostasy that seems to be growing daily. I Timothy 4:1 states that some will fall away from the faith giving heed to demonic doctrines. Here in America and elsewhere pseudo-Christianity flourishes. There are any number of errant doctrines perpetrated among the lands. Yet the Gospel is being preached to all nations. Bible societies has given out approximately 500 million portions or entire Scriptures a year. The Temple Institute in Israel have already created the furniture, vessels and priestly garments ready for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple. Young men are being trained for the Levitical Priesthood
One last interesting fact is that Ancient Petra in Jordan would be a refuge for fleeing Jews during the end times. In 1994 Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty with each other. Petra may indeed be a haven for the Jews to hide from the coming Antichrist. I. know we must be careful to not be too specific about current events and how they might be prophetically linked. I also believe that God's Word is specific and just all the prophecies were literally fulfilled in Christ's First Coming; so may those be at His Return.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
End Time Prophecy
It has been a while since I posted anything. I've been busy with three spiritual goals for myself. One of which is to love and serve others and another involves a lot of Scripture memorization. Today I was given a pamphlet by a friend called "101 Last Days Prophecies." It was a quick read and I found some things very interesting. There were also a few facts of which I was unaware. I know there are different end times belief systems. I am a Pre-tribulation, Pre-millennial rapture person. The promises to the nation Israel are literal as is the Book of Revelation. Dr. John MacArthur is perhaps the leading Bible Teacher who is of the same persuasion. The pamphlet data comes from eternal-productions.org.
One of the prophecies is worldwide anti-Semitism. (Deut. 28:37; Jeremiah 29:18, 44:8; Luke 21: 20-24 and Revelation 12). The Jews have been persecuted like no other. Hitler endeavored to wipe out the race of people. Before him were others including Haman in the Book of Esther. It is an interesting fact that 450 out of 700 of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions condemn the nation Israel. None have ever passed against an Arab country. Out of the 190 nations represented in the U.N. 60% of all G.A. resolutions attack one nation. It is Israel.
It is interesting also that the Eastern Gate on the Temple Mount remains closed Ezekiel 44: 1-3 indicates that Jesus Christ will enter at His Return the now sealed Eastern Gate. Revelation also indicates that the birds of prey will eat the dead flesh of their enemies at the end of the age. A little know fact is that Israel is the bird migration capital of the world. Some estimate that billions of birds fly over the nation during spring and fall migrations. I don't know who counted to billions but I tend to take their word. Another fact of note is that The Euphrates River would dry up at one point in The Great Tribulation. The Massive Atatruk Dam in Turkey (a nation that is increasingly anti-Israel) finished in 1990 can reduce this huge River to a mere trickle.
One of the prophecies is worldwide anti-Semitism. (Deut. 28:37; Jeremiah 29:18, 44:8; Luke 21: 20-24 and Revelation 12). The Jews have been persecuted like no other. Hitler endeavored to wipe out the race of people. Before him were others including Haman in the Book of Esther. It is an interesting fact that 450 out of 700 of the United Nations General Assembly resolutions condemn the nation Israel. None have ever passed against an Arab country. Out of the 190 nations represented in the U.N. 60% of all G.A. resolutions attack one nation. It is Israel.
It is interesting also that the Eastern Gate on the Temple Mount remains closed Ezekiel 44: 1-3 indicates that Jesus Christ will enter at His Return the now sealed Eastern Gate. Revelation also indicates that the birds of prey will eat the dead flesh of their enemies at the end of the age. A little know fact is that Israel is the bird migration capital of the world. Some estimate that billions of birds fly over the nation during spring and fall migrations. I don't know who counted to billions but I tend to take their word. Another fact of note is that The Euphrates River would dry up at one point in The Great Tribulation. The Massive Atatruk Dam in Turkey (a nation that is increasingly anti-Israel) finished in 1990 can reduce this huge River to a mere trickle.
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