the hand that feeds us

well the world pulled me in again. faith has to be nurtured. when you aren't studying the word, or applying it to your life then that almighty world just pulls you in. since this past friday i have slept so much my body has said "you're not tired anymore, wake up." i heard that voice saying it's time to come back to ME and renew. not that i lost HIM, i just wasn't paying much attention to HIM.

there is truth in being grounded in your faith; relying fully on GOD for the course. it's the balancing act of our faith that seems to get the best of us at times. one of the saddest acts of peer pressure seemed to be displayed by our president this past week and to be quite honest i'm at a loss of what he should have done about the libyan situation. what i'm not at a loss about is that once upon a time our presidents lead us in difficult times, but now we have a president that has to have the approval of the rest of the world to lead.

GOD created leaders for a reason; we need them. we need individuals that can handle difficult situations and pull us through. we need leaders that are grounded in faith, because they have GOD to rely on to make those tough decisions. we are in world war III in my opinion, not just the physical war of the middle east, but the war that is going on around the world with words and actions. the only set purpose seems to be how to make more money; how to keep from drowning in the mess we've created. the idea of one world unity is a myth. utopia does not exist.

i like a clear, set purpose. i like to know what the ultimate goal is and when a decision isn't made it creates a mess. the bible is not a self-help book, it is the book on how we are to live. society would like us to see the words of GOD through rose-colored glasses and that there are no consequence to our actions. just look at the world and some churches, or christians that manipulate the gospel to their own truths; there is no longer any accountability. we are playing GOD and we will lose.

financial guru, susie orman said that the "american dream" is dead. then i ask, ms. orman, "what in the world are we fighting for?" is she basing it on the financial aspect only to the american dream, or the entire american dream? i know a lot of individuals that are living the american dream; christ, family, friends, food on the table, shelter and clothing on their backs. i'm living the american dream along with my family.

CHRIST said HE would provide all those things for us; not the mercedes, or the $500,000 house. the american dream does not mean the internet in every home, or the 52 inch screen tv. those are wants, not needs. those are luxuries only. if you feel you need those things and are putting yourself into debt, but you can't afford to buy food for your family then you need a reality check. we are not entitled to those wants.

love is the ultimate commandment. we are to love HIM above all things. we are to love each other. we are to love our enemies. although, we only seem to see the "mushy" part of this love. leaders and individuals around the world use this against us when we do not conform to their way of thinking; a guilt trip, intimidation. we do not need the approval of the world or individuals on how we are to live. the ultimate approval is GOD's. if we are living to the best of our ability with a CHRIST FILLED LIFE then it doesn't matter what the world thinks of you. hard lesson to learn right there because we base our self worth on how others perceive us.

we are to love, but love is also holding each accountable to CHRIST. GOD's love is grace, that of a father to a child, discipline, accountability, hope and all those things that make life blessed. we are HIS creation, made in HIS image and i wonder if we took the time to return to that big book of life then we might actually get some things right. america's biggest downfall will not be that we financially fell, but that we have removed GOD from everything; the very HAND that feeds us.


"18For (AJ)the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who (AK)suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because (AL)that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For (AM)since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, (AN)being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21For even though they knew God, they did not [c]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became (AO)futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22(AP)Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and (AQ)exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and [d]crawling creatures. 24Therefore (AR)God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be (AS)dishonored among them. 25For they exchanged the truth of God for a (AT)lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, (AU)who is blessed forever. Amen.
26For this reason (AV)God gave them over to (AW)degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, (AX)men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, (AY)God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, 29being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are (AZ)gossips, 30slanderers, (BA)haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, (BB)disobedient to parents, 31without understanding, untrustworthy, (BC)unloving, unmerciful; 32and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of (BD)death, they not only do the same, but also (BE)give hearty approval to those who practice them." romans 1:18-32