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Educate Yourself For Elections

Well, for my United States counterparts this week is big for our country. Unfortunately for many it’s dreaded due to a heated and controversial presidential election. However, today my goal is not to get into the politics of which candidates to choose or how to vote. Rather today I’d like to focus on the importance of and ways to educate yourself for elections.

In fact, I firmly believe not only do you have a civic duty to educate yourself for elections, but a spiritual duty as well. How else can you rightly divide the truth and how you, your community, your country, and ultimately how the Kingdom of God will be impacted?

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” Colossians 2:8 (NLT)

After all, we WILL be held accountable to God for our actions. Part of those actions will include voting (or the lack of doing so). You cannot vote your convictions if you have not spent the time to educate yourself for elections taking place in your area.

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Romans 14:12 (NIV)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)

You cannot vote your convictions if you have not spent the time to educate yourself for elections taking place.

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The Christian duty to vote

“Choose some well-respected men from each tribe who are known for their wisdom and understanding, and I will appoint them as your leaders.” Deuteronomy 1:13 (NLT)

Part of the impact and influence Christians have in this world includes how we vote for the people and laws that lead and govern us.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (NIV)

“When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” Proverbs 29:2 (NLT)

I loved this quote… Continue reading →

God Is Our Rock

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God is our rock. Learn the characteristics of rocks that God displays and how they are helpful to us in times of need.

God Is Our Rock

“No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2 (NLT)

We are living in a time where so much is going on around us. It’s a world of change, unsettling events and circumstances, and things going awry all around. We face disturbing political conditions, natural disasters, crime, death, racial tensions, unstable economies, moral corruption and breakdown, and the list could go on and on. Quite honestly it’s pretty depressing. We need something steady and calm to ground us in times like these. We need a firm foundation in a shifty world.

Quite honestly the same could probably be said for many generations. I’m sure they felt much the same in biblical times as well. So, we can lean on the same principles that gave them rest and peace in unsettling times. One such principle is that God is our rock. He is strong, dependable, never shifting or changing, always there to protect and shield us from the storms of this world.

God is our rock–strong, dependable, never changing, protecting us from the storms of this world.

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Here are some of the characteristics of rocks that help us understand how God is our rock:

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Connect With God Through Nature

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Nature reveals so much about God. There's a lot to learn when we connect with God through nature. Here are some things to learn and some ways of connecting.

Connect With God Through Nature

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20 (NLT)

Any nature lovers out there? Picture me raising both hands. I absolutely LOVE being outside (weather permitting) and being around nature. There’s just something about seeing creation in all of its shapes and forms. As a result, I feel like I connect with God through nature.

Now, I know this is probably not the case for everyone. Hence, this is only one of many ways of connecting with God. There are loads of people I know who love and prefer their creature comforts…namely indoor air conditioning and heating! However, I still think even those who prefer to remain indoors have something to gain by trying to connect with God through nature.

Even Jesus liked to connect with God through nature

“Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake.” Matthew 13:1 (NLT)

This is a verse I found written in my journal on one of my quiet time notes. My own notes beside it included some of my thoughts as I read the verse. “I love this because I can relate. Even I love to go out and enjoy peace and nature—especially beside water (like a lake). I can just imagine him sitting there, enjoying the beauty, talking to God, and thinking. I love it!”

It was cool reading that Jesus did some of the very things that I also enjoy doing to connect with God through nature and the outdoors. In fact there are several other instances of Jesus doing just that…

“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” Luke 5:16 (NLT)

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone” Matthew 14:23 (NIV)

“Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.”” Matthew 26:36 (NLT)

Nature can reveal so much about God.

In her book, What’s Your God Language?: Connecting with God through Your Unique Spiritual Temperament, Myra Perrine says of people who connect with God through nature, Continue reading →

Obeying God Should Come With A Warning Label

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Obeying God Should Come With A Warning Label! Warning: Obeying God may cause serious side effects to occur. Some people have reported financial trouble, health problems, criticism, false accusations, betrayal, relational trouble, natural disasters, legal trouble, physical assault, and life threatening events. In some cases death has occurred. This is not a complete list of possible side effects.

Obeying God Should Come With A Warning Label

I’ve decided that obeying God should really come with a warning label. I mean really, people should be warned to expect opposition and attacks when they start obeying God. Quite honestly the devil doesn’t like our obedience. He knows the good that will come of it. He knows it’s dangerous for him. So, He’s going to fight back. People need to know to expect it.

Warning: Obeying God may cause serious side effects to occur. Some people have reported financial trouble, health problems, criticism, false accusations, betrayal, relational trouble, natural disasters, legal trouble, physical assault, property damage, life threatening events, and things just going wrong in general. In some cases death has occurred. This is not a complete list of possible side effects.

When we step out and start obeying God, we’re going to have some attacks from the devil. It’s inevitable. It doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll experience attack every time, but it is a definite possibility. The more we expect it, the better prepared we can be.

Somebody warned me about obeying God

One of the best things anybody did for me was give me similar advice. When I first started volunteer teaching at Glory House, the director, Susie, told me expect attacks and expect things to go wrong. It kind of actually took me by surprise. At the same time, however, I felt a bit relieved because I had already indeed started to experience exactly that!

I was sitting in her office during my interview Continue reading →

Merry Christmas! 2015

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Merry Christmas Ya Filthy Animal

Merry Christmas!

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10 (NIV)

Below is a video of the Story of Christmas, as told by Pastor Willie George and the Creative Team at Church on the Move in Tulsa, OK. This is one of the most amazing retellings of the Christmas story that I have ever heard. It has been an annual tradition at our church for the past several years. It gives me chills and brings me to tears every time.

Wishing you and your families great joy this Christmas! Merry Christmas and may God bless you as His Son, Jesus fills your lives!

I Just Turned 40! Find Out How I Felt So Loved by Gifts and Acts of Service

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I Just Turned 40! Find Out How I Felt So Loved by Gifts and Acts of Service

I celebrated my 40^th birthday this past weekend. Boy, turning 40 sure has been a trip! I’ve seen more changes at this age than at any other. My hormones are going bonkers. I’ve been dealing with crazy adult acne and melasma (discoloration of my skin) lately. My eyesight has changed significantly. I’m now finding myself having to pull things away from my face to see them better. I think bifocals or reading glasses may be in my near future! Apparently I’m now supposed to be getting mammograms every year. Yay. I’ve also experienced some other changes that would be inappropriate to discuss, so I’ll spare you the details! You’re welcome.

Truly though, I can say that I am very happy, healthy and prosperous at this age! God has really blessed me, and although my life is far from perfect, I am very content and pleased to be standing where I am today. I also know that God has much more in store for me. As far as I’m concerned, my life isn’t even half over yet! I’m excited and maybe a little apprehensive about what’s to come in the years ahead. Whatever happens though, I have the most amazing support system to tackle anything that life throws at me. I understand what Paul meant when he talked about being content:

“…for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content–whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13 (HCSB)

40th birthday painting party

I felt so very loved this past weekend as my family and friends celebrated with me. Some of them joined me for a fun painting party at a local DIY shop, Completely Random. Afterwards we had some friends and family over to the house for a Parisian-themed party. My house looked like we stepped right into Paris thanks to my sister-Shawna (I’ve written about her talents before), my mom-Jacki, my sister-Cora, and my sister-in-law-Keisha. There was so much time, money and effort spent on making my party fabulous and full of all things that I love.

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Category Archives: General

Educate Yourself For Elections