Spring

I love the smell of freshly turned earth. There's nothing like taking a deep breath near a recently plowed field during a spring rain. New life intrigues me. Whether it be little grass shoots after a hard winter or a newborn baby, I love new life. It's rejuvenating to watch goat kids tumble and romp across the yard playing. They do what they are made to do - enjoy just being alive. If only we would do that more often!

New physical life, from the reviving of plant life in spring to the birth of a new baby, is a wonderful picture of new spiritual life. As our Lord put it, "You must be born again." Unlike physical life, which dies, the second birth has eternal promises attached. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Rev.21:4). "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away" (Matt.24:35). Our Father in Heaven loves us and has given us such an awesome picture of what life in Him should look like. If we are not living life afresh and anew in Him, maybe we ought to stop and dig something up. "Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you" (Hosea 10:12). Take time to unearth God's promises; breathe deeply the refreshing fragrance. Ask Him to open your eyes that you might see wondrous things from His law. Discover His boundless love as if for the first time!

Permission to Take Off, --Wait, Let Me Check My Compass!

When I was young, my mom had me memorize Bible verses for school. I remember fidgeting at my desk and having Mom remind me, "Finish copying Psalm 23 and then you'll be done for today." I would copy assigned verses, word by word, day by day, and seem to get little out of it. What was the point of the exercise? Memory lasts. Learning Bible verses and catechisms as a young child, though I failed to understand much of it at the time, gave me a foundation. Now, when I struggle with questions like "Why am I here?" the basic truth contained in the first catechism pops into my head: "Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

Here at the end of high school, I look back over those hours I spent doing homework, and I praise the Lord for my Christian upbringing. I'm thankful for all the time and energy my parents put into homeschooling me and teaching me God's word. Now, I've finally reached the point where I must begin to fly on my own. The direction in which I fly will greatly effect the rest of my life. I want to choose God's best; but oh, how difficult it can be to surrender my desires for His!

I could easily become a modern career woman, but I don't believe that's what my Heavenly Father has in store. If He does want me to marry and have kids, my desire is to pass on to them the Foundation that will prepare them for perilous times(1Peter 5:8-10). This is an incredible feat that I know could never be accomplished by human strength alone. Praise God, He never gives us more than He will empower us to do! (2Corinthians 12:9) Because of this, I know I don't have to cringe at God's perfect will for my life - whatever it may be.

When Man Becomes Beast

Recently, while doing my regular chores at the dairy farm where I work, I was contemplating the differences and similarities between a farm and a socialist government. What struck me was the way socialism reduces people to the level of animals.

Let me explain by starting with some basics.

First, the land, equipment, and livestock that make up the farm are owned. Thus, all of these are subject to the decisions of the owner.

My second point is that the livestock(cattle, for example) are dependent. They depend on the farmer for protection and for food. In an effort to protect his cows, the farmer fences them in. The fence allows the beasts a certain amount of freedom to graze, exercise, and rest.

The cows are also entitled to food. I say "entitled" because since the farmer owns them, he is obligated to care for them - which entails feeding them.

Third, each animal is required to contribute something to the whole. The cows must reproduce to continue the herd; but their daily work is to produce milk to profit the farmer. If a certain cow fails to meet standard, it goes down the road, for it is unprofitable.

Now, how is dairy farming socialism? It isn't. God has commanded men to take dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28). The problem occurs when one man reduces another man to the level of the beasts of the field (Ps. 49:20).

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;

let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air,

and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that

creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image

of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed

them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it..."

(Gen. 1:26-28).

God created man - each and every person - in His own image. Socialism is a form of tyranny in which the agenda of a few wicked men becomes god. Human beings are viewed on differing levels of worth. Those at the top are gods of their own; and those at the bottom, the majority, are at their mercy(which, in the true sense of the word, does not exist). When the people's property becomes owned by one, the people also end up owned by that one. Before long, that one fences the people in, providing their food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, and other necessities.

The socialist government buys a nation bit by bit until one day the people finally realize that they are trapped - animals on one huge farm owned and operated by the government. Now they are required to fulfill a certain quota of work, allowed only a certain number of children, and rationed a certain amount of food. If a few begin overstepping the fence, not producing enough, or otherwise offending the regime, they may very well, "go down the road."

The government "redistributes the wealth" as it sees fit. In other words,the top dogs live luxuriously, devouring 90% of the peoples' profits, and leave the poverty-stricken masses groveling hopelessly in the dust. This utterly crushes individual initiative because no matter how a person strives, he is unable to escape the socialist grip.

The purpose of the government is to protect the people from foreign invasion and to enforce law and justice within. The leaders must spend responsibly. If the do not, the nation will go bankrupt and be overtaken by another. The government is to be a servant of the people and not a master. The socialist government overrides all of this by classing people according to their supposed worth. All men are created equal - not in ability or opportunity - but in standing before God.

"As I live, says the LORD,

Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God."

(Rom. 14:11,12).

So, are we going to allow our leaders to continue treating us like cattle(which is not leading at all)? Or, will we acknowledge the privilege of being created in God's image and stand up for what is right for the sake of our children?

Pride: the I, ME, MYSELF Attitude

*Pride = living as if you don't need God*

->Pride is why Christians refuse to submit to God's leading.

->Pride is why people don't forgive.

->Pride is why relationships fall apart.

->Pride is why families are ruined.

->Pride is why churches split.

->Pride is why our nation has strayed so far from God.

*Pride is when we think we can handle things on our own; we don't need anyone else's help or advice.*

God's word says:

The pride of your heart has deceived you,

You who dwell in the clefts of the rock,
Whose habitation is high;
You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’
Though you ascend as high as the eagle,
And though you set your nest among the stars,
From there I will bring you down,” says the LORD. (Obadiah 3,4)

God HATES pride.

But He LOVES humility.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Enough of a challenge for today?

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me."

~Philippians 3:12~

~ Welcome to my blog! ~