Thursday, May 17, 2007

Seeking the Lord vs. Hiding from the Lord

An email came in from a young lady who has had many problems in her life, and who has made many mistakes.... Now she is seeking the Lord's help in her life.

The key part of my response:



The Lord created you unique, He loves you, and He wants to help you.

Turn to the Lord, just as you are, and let Him take it from there.

For details, read on...

3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"
3:2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;
3:3 "but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' "
3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.
3:5 "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
3:8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
3:9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"
3:10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."

(from the Book of Genesis)


This is an interesting passage. Adam does something he knows he's not supposed to do, and then God walks through the garden, so Adam hides. Then God asks "Where are you?"

Wait a minute! Don't You know? Aren't You God?

Of course He knows where Adam is. He knows where Adam is and what Adam has done. The question was not for God's sake, but for Adam's sake, so Adam would admit what he had done. Once Adam acknowledges his mistake, God begins the healing process. But, the first step is that we need to admit that we have a problem. And, if we don't know that we have a problem, or don't want to admit it, God can help us there, too.

To not admit that there is a problem is to "stick your head in the sand", or to hide behind a tree from God, like Adam did. Adam's real problem wasn't that he had sinned; his real problem was that, by hiding himself from God, by distancing himself from his Creator, he was in real danger of getting into far more serious trouble. (Keep in mind, that serpent was still out there!)

Contrast that to Zacchaeus:

19:1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
19:2 Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich.
19:3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature.
19:4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.
19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house."
19:6 So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.
19:7 But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner."
19:8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold."
19:9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham;
19:10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

(from the Gospel according to Luke)


Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Tax collectors in those days in that part of the world were corrupt; they were extortioners. Yet, rather than hide his sinful self behind a tree as Adam had done (and as I always want to do), Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus. Of course, Jesus already knew all about Zacchaeus, including Zacchaeus' sinful life; but, because Zacchaeus did not hide from Him, but rather made himself very visible so Jesus could enter his life, salvation came to Zacchaeus' house that day.

And in the same way, by seeking God's help, salvation has come to your house today.

God is God --

Rev 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty."


There is nothing that He can't do!

Don't think for a moment that you have done something so bad, or that you are so far gone, or whatever, that your Creator can't save you -- after all, it was He Who created the Earth and everything on it, Who created the Heavens and everything in them, Who created the Sea and everything in it. There is nothing He can't do. The only danger is that you might try to hide yourself from Him, in which case you would be in danger, because that serpent is still out there. In admitting your problems and inviting Him into your life, you've already done the part that is hardest for you. Now He will take it from here -- just make sure that you keep inviting Him in, again and again, and thanking Him for everything.

Don't wait until you do this or achieve that -- don't put it off. Turn to Him now, just as you are. He does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you..."


There is nothing He can't fix, and Jesus, Who hung on that cross for you, will not abandon you now. He didn't abandon you then when He was being tortured and hung out to die, He will not abandon you now.

Just keep inviting Him in and thanking Him, and before you know it, your life will be a miracle.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Lady Mocha: Following Up

Posted over at Gangstyle.com, Lady Mocha has a follow-up to her story:


Hey ladies =D

For those of you who dont know me, HI! my names Shanna : )

I thought id share a little bit about my Gang Rape experience, feelings, thoughts and self worth in hope that it will speak of ECOURAGEMENT and HOPE to you all =D

2 months and 3 weeks before turning 13 i was gang raped. It was the last thing i ever expected to happen that evening on my way home...

The attack involved 12 strong, aggressive males violently throwing and pinning me to the ground... I was in so much shock and disbelief i started finding it hard to breathe... Everything was mute... A thousand thoughts running through my head... Numbed by what was taking place i layed there totally helpless and powerless and endured 4 hours of being violently raped.

After the attack I was no longer that confident happy go lucky chick... No longer cracking jokes and laughing with my friends and family... I secluded myself from everyone and everything... Fear, doubt and negativity flooded my mind, heart, soul and spirit...

Ladies, for 3 years, i suffered in silence and slowly, i found myself sinking further into that dark and lonely hole where nothing else exists except hurt, anger, fear, pain, loneliness and depression.

When i finally built up the courage to tell someone, and work with them in helping me move on and moving forward, you wont believe the amount of weight that was lifted off my shoulders... Ladies, i could breathe again... and it felt so good...

You have got so much to live for... so much to look forward too... Dont let Fear and Doubt stop you from living a good healthy happy and prosperous life =D

So here are my little words of enouragement and hope to you =D

My Dear Friend

Find the courage within yourself to reach out to someone for help... There are so many loving and patient caring people with open arms that are willing to help heal and mend your broken heart and your emotionally wounded soul... And as you take their hand, watch as your life starts to transform... Take shape...You have so much to live for =D Dont let fear and doubt rule your life... Step out in faith and believe with all your heart that your healing and miracle is just around the Corner... and Ladies?

"LET NO ONES THOUGHTS,WORDS OR JUDGEMENT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE!!!"

You are unique and special in your own way... there is only one of you... So show the world what you can do =D

i'd like to end my piece with the last four lines i want to quote from a poem i wrote about my gang rape experience... It Reads:

"the G members think
they stripped me of eveything
HUH,they only stripped me of my clothes
I STILL HAVE MY DIGNITY!!!"


I believe in you Ladies! God IS always with you...

Come on Ladies =D


~ YOU CAN DO IT ~ =D


God bless you, Shanna! I'm proud of you!


By the way -- it seems to me the original post that she left at Gangstyle.com on the message boards about two years ago had the title "My Gang Rape", and that's kind of how she's addressing it here, not as otherwise entitled, "My Date Rape".

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Adult Child Going Astray

Over at Gangstyle.com:

he is 23 doing everything I dont want him to be doing, he has disowned me, because I said it is not good, how do I handle it, how do parents handle it thank you Cathie


My thoughts:

Prayer.

Under those circumstances, you can sure understand what the Lord goes through. Starting in the Garden of Eden, and especially today, so many people have disowned Him and do everything the He knows is not good, everything that He knows leads only trouble, everything that He has warned us not to do.

He understands that there comes a time when the kids need to go make their own mistakes, so that the mess that they get themselves into humbles them a little, so that they are then open to hearing a little wisdom. Short of that, many kids think they know something about everything, and don't have time for learning from experiences of people who have made the mistakes already, or who know where some roads take a person. Often times, even making those mistakes themselves doesn't seem to do it for our kids.

In the following passage from Isaiah, we can easily envision an angry God striking at the inhabitants of the earth:


65:2 I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people,
Who walk in a way that is not good,
According to their own thoughts;
65:3 A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face;...

65:11 "But you are those who forsake the Lord,
Who forget My holy mountain,
Who prepare a table for Gad,
And who furnish a drink offering for Meni.
65:12 Therefore I will number you for the sword,
And you shall all bow down to the slaughter;
Because, when I called, you did not answer;
When I spoke, you did not hear,
But did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight."

Yet, the Lord is not about "getting" us for what we do. Quite the opposite, He does a great deal to show us the right way, and to convince us to be on it. But, ultimately, He will respect our choice. And our choices to walk in ways that are not good lead to consequences that are not good.

Put another way, the Lord doesn't have to take vengeance on us; we take vengeance on ourselves. He tries to convince us not to. But, it may only be when we goof things up enough that we finally make ourselves ready to listen to His wisdom.

Similarly, it may only be after your son has goofed some things up that he appreciates that his mom, while not perfect (no one is), does love him and does try her best to keep him from making mistakes which are obvious to her.

"he is 23" "he has disowned me"

He's an adult, and you need to face the possibility that there is nothing you can do, other than prayer. And, like the Lord, Who is there for us waiting for us to return, no matter how far astray we go, you can do your son a service by being there for him to take him back when he returns, no matter how far astray he goes.

"how do parents handle it"

That's my take on how our Father handles it, and a suggestion for you.



It's not easy.

Imagine how He felt, watching His Son on the cross.... And that was not His Son's doing, that was our doing!

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Interviewing to Join a Gang

Here's one. A wannabe is asking:

I need to know some of the qeastions to join a gang called folk. Can you give them to me?


Huh?

Here's my answer:

Yeah, I'm not sure about that particular gang. The questions I'm familiar with are these:

1) Do you have a good attorney? Because you'll need one to get you out of all the trouble the gang will get you into.

2) Do you have a nice suit to wear? Because you'll need one to attend the funerals of innocent family members and friends that get killed by members of rival gangs who are shooting at you, but are too doped up and scared to shoot or even see straight.

3) Do you have a good doctor that can treat you for everything from venereal disease to drug overdose to gunshot and knife wounds? Because you'll need one.

4) Do have a nice funeral for yourself planned out and paid for? Because you'll need one -- sooner than you think!

5) Do you have anyone to visit you in jail and prison? Maybe someone to bring you some books or something? Because you'll really be wanting someone to do that, and your homies from the "set" sure won't do it.

6) Are you ready to get gang-banged by the big, hairy felons that have been in prison for the past five or ten years, there 1) with no women, and 2) lifting weights? Because when they see you, they're going to think "fresh meat!" That's assuming you don't get killed on the streets, of course.

Don't worry about getting bummed out while being a gangmember. With all the pain and sorrow and suffering, it will seem like that lifestyle just lasts forever sometimes, but don't worry -- your gang life will actually be alot shorter than you think.

If there's anything more I can help you with, don't hesitate to contact me. If you can't get me, you can contact a Friend of mine, a Guy named Jesus. He's pretty reliable, and He's always alot closer than you think if you decide you need Him.



It's not a job interview you're going on. Think it through...


Mark aka Channelview

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Abortion by the Month (by Mal Herida)

Posted over at Gangstyle.com by Mal Herida:

ABORTION

Month one

MOMMY
I am only 4 inches long
but I have all my organs.
I love the sound of your voice.
The sound of your heart beat
is my favorite lullaby.


Month Two

Mommy
today I learned how to suck my thumb.
If you could see me
you could definitely tell that I am a baby.
I'm not big enough to survive outside my home though.
It is so nice and warm in here.


Month Three

You know what Mommy
I'm a boy!!
I hope that makes you happy.
I always want you to be happy.
I don't like it when you cry.
You sound so sad.
It makes me sad too
and I cry with you even though
you can't hear me.


Month Four

Mommy
my hair is starting to grow.
It is very short and fine
but I will have a lot of it.
I spend a lot of my time exercising.
I can turn my head and curl my fingers and toes
and stretch my arms and legs.
I am becoming quite good at it too.


Month Five

You went to the doctor today.
Mommy, he lied to you.
He said that I'm not a baby.
I am a baby Mommy, your baby.
I think and feel.
Mommy, what's abortion?


Month Six

I can hear that doctor again.
I don't like him.
He seems cold and heartless.
Something is intruding my home.
The doctor called it a needle.
Mommy what is it? It burns!
Please make him stop!
I can't get away from it!
Mommy! HELP me!


Month Seven

Mommy
I am okay.
I am in Jesus's arms.
He is holding me.
He told me about abortion.
Why didn't you want me Mommy?


Every Abortion Is Just . . .


One more heart that was stopped.
Two more eyes that will never see.
Two more hands that will never touch.
Two more legs that will never run.
One more mouth that will never speak.



If you're against abortion, show this to someone it will hep belive me so do it ...
I dont care how many friends i lose over this....the only way id be okay with someone having a abortion was if it was forced/rape.otherwise if u can lay there and spread ur legs then u can take responsblity for the actions too


I understand but disagree with the comment about abortion after sexual assault. Read "A 'Choice'" to get some idea why.

Good post, Mal Herida!