Faith is free and prayer should be, too

Did you ever notice that, when you pray for others, answers come quite quickly; but when you pray for your own needs, it's hard to see any answers? I guess that's why the Bible says, "Share one another's burdens". And so I have looked online for groups that have the same beliefs as me to share some of my innermost concerns--sorta like a world-wide Wednesday night prayer meeting. :)

Sadly, there's a very prominent paid ad on Facebook for prayer that comes up a lot. The same site is a paid ad in Google at the very top of the list when you search for christian prayer.

I looked at the site and was appalled. You fill in the boxes for your request and then they ask how important this request is to you. When you click a box for that, there appears another window that asks for money! I couldn't believe it! When you leave the page, they offer to pray for free, but that seems a bit sacrilegious to me.

I know it costs to have websites, but if the owners of the site believe God wants it up on the internet, then they should trust that God will certainly provide. I was reminded of Smith Wigglesworth, a great British evangelist, who made a deal with God when he became a full time preacher. He told God that he would preach as long as God provided. He would never ask for a penny and told God that, "if my suit ever gets shiny (old and worn) I will go back to plumbing." He never did go back. God is so good!

Times may have changed, but God hasn't. Faith is still simple and still free. And prayer is, too if you know where to look.

I suck at procrastination

I get livid with Hubby sometimes because he's a procrastinator. I don't say anything because it's not ever really important that he do those particular things right away. Nobody will die if he doesn't and we won't have to move or anything. It's just that I am the type to do things 'now' so you don't have to worry about them later. They will be be done and you don't have to think about them any more. I try to get this through to the kids, but they don't seem to be enthused about any sort of 'work'.

I just realized that my 'do it now' attitude might border on compulsion. Or might be a step across the line of being a compulsion. Here's the story, you decided.

I was putting away the dishes from the drainer when I notice that there were a few dirty dishes on the counter. Among them was a large cookie sheet that I had used to bake some potato wedges. I think to myself, 'Self, if you wash the cookie sheet, the counter will not look 'dirty' in the morning when you get up.' So I wash the cookie sheet.

Then I notice that both of the cups that Hubby uses for coffee were dirty. I think to myself, 'Self, if you wash one of them, Hubby will have a clean cup when he gets home from work in the morning. He would like that.' So I wash one of the cups.

Then I think to myself, 'Self, there are just a few dishes left, so you may as well wash them all and be done with it and the kitchen will be clean when  you come in for morning coffee.'

Yes, I did all the dishes. I suck at procrastination.

You never know...

I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven’s door--

not by the beauty of it all, nor the lights nor it’s décor,

But it was the folks in Heaven who made me sputter and gasp—

The thieves, the liars, the sinners, alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kids from seventh grade who swipe my

lunch money twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor who never said anything nice.

Bob, who I always thought was rotting away in hell,

was sitting pretty on cloud nine, looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, “What’s the deal? I’d love to hear Your take.

How ‘d all these sinners get in here? God must’ve made a mistake.

And why is everyone quiet, so somber? Give me a clue?”

“Hush, child,” He said, “They’re all in shock.

No one thought they’d be seeing you.”

The ultimate question

A man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, 'Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.'

Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.'

'You don't know? You're a Christian man and you don't know what's on the other side?'

The doctor was holding the handle of the door. On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, 'Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before.

He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here,

And when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. 

I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...

'I know my Master is there and that is enough.'

It's personal

I am, by nature, a very private person. I have lots of thoughts that I don't share with my bloggy friends--mostly, because I believe that everybody is entitled to their own opinion no matter how stupid it is and I don't feel the need to persuade them to my way of thinking if I don't agree.

That being said, I feel that I am a very spiritual person. In traditional ways, not the new age crap stuff that seems to be everywhere you turn these days. I believe the Bible. Literally. I have studied the Bible and I believe I have insights that I can share along the way when necessary.

The one thing that I feel moved to share at the moment is my opinion or interpretation or whatever you want to call it (to which I am entitled and will gladly discuss but not argue about) is about diseases. I don't think disease is a punishment for sins. I think it's a result of sin, but it's something that we are not left alone to deal with. Consider the following....

When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, there was no sin (fyi,they didn't eat meat, either, but that's another discussion) and their bodies were healthy. It wasn't until they got kicked out of the Garden that disease showed up. Therefore, it is my conclusion that disease is just something we have to deal with on this earth because of the sinful nature of all humanity.  But, wait. There's more.

I believe that, through Jesus, we can have the powers that He had over disease because the Bible says so (it's that literal thing). Now, I also believe that most of don't have enough faith to overcome disease and death, but I truly think it's possible. And I think some of us humans do take this power and use it against disease, if only on occasion.

When disease (or any emotional trauma) strikes us or our loved ones, we usually get focused on the negative and go through a whole spectrum of emotions. That's normal. That's human. But, it's sad how people waste so much time trying to blame God (or their version of the 'Higher Power') when they should be grateful for the good times that they had with the loved one. God can give grace and peace and the ability to not withdraw because of hurt. But we have to ask Him for help.

Bad stuff happens. But it's how we choose to deal with it that makes it harder or easier for the one that it has happened to.

A rant about people....

Sometimes, don't you just want to grab somebody by the shoulders, shake vigorously, and say, "What the **** were you thinking?"

If I could insert the following into their brains, I'd feel much better...

• You are the parent, quit letting 2-year olds make choices--that's why they HAVE parents
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• Life is full of choices--even choosing to trust or give the benefit of the doubt
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• If you are going to be a leader, be a leader by example, not just a title
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• Don't ask questions that you don't want an honest answer to
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• If you think your kid will hate you for a bit of discipline, take that chance, we, as a society, will appreciate that he didn't break into our house because of it

• Yes, you do have emotions but try to control them. We don't need or want to hear about every little thought that goes through your head
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• Even after many years of 'knowing' someone you can be wrong, so don't assume
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• Revenge, even on a small scale, is not a good thing. Not every actions needs an immediate reaction
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• If you don't know what your opinions are, take a bit of time to find out. Then stand by them. Don't flip-flop--it isn't pretty
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• If YOU teach your kids about acceptable behavior, it will be much easier on them than the bully in the school yard doing it
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• If you care, then care all the way, 24/7--not just when it's comfortable (because I guarantee there are times when they aren't comfortable with you, either)

• Sometimes, you should be content with the fact that you did the right thing without having to have it noticed
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• If you think about 'things' more often than people, you have some serious work to do on yourself

• Gossip does NOT make you look important, no matter how juicy it is or how many times you repeat it
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• Believe it or not, there are more numbers on the 'anger dial' than just zero and 10. Sometimes a simple touch or word can help you decide that there's no need to be angry at all.
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• Moms, you are the ONLY ones that care about your toddler being able to express himself in the grocery store--the rest of us aren't interested and, even behind the faux smiles, are thinking, "Shut your freakin' kid up!"

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• If you can look yourself in the mirror and like who looks back, it's all good.

/rant