February 23 2016

February 25 2016 Greetings My Friend The part of Chronicles I am going through talks about how the Kings come to power, rule with wickedness and seek to control their people with brutality. Some kill of their brothers so none can have a chance to overtake him and become the next ruler. Many times as the slaughter is going a family member will snatch a young male relative and hide him until he is older. More often than not the child is hidden in the Temple and at the right time the child is then marched out with a lot of pomp. The community is making this child king. This child is the proper king that was to succeed the throne. As this child takes over the throne he will start off having a heart for God’s laws and following them. He may tear down all the other religions idles and destroy them He will lead the nation for a while at least with some their whole lives under God’s authority. As the king build’s power and riches he will often fall into man’s idea of authority. He becomes enamored with his riches, the number of weapons and men to fight his battles. One day at a time he walks away from God. Many in the world today follow the same path of believing in God, following God and then they walk away one day at a time until their faith looks pretty but has no substance. They know the right religious jargon and sound rather impressive. Next they fall into the trap of making God to fit their comfortable thoughts. They don’t read their Bible, pray or walk in God’s ways at all. Many other people don’t want to leave their comfortable ways of living either and it is not all about riches and glory. Sometimes people choose to worship God in their own way, not the way God wants them to worship, to serve or to give. Some fall into addictions and enjoy this lifestyle. Others fall into a lifestyle and after a time are disenchanted with it but can’t get away either. As a young person I remember thinking following the Bible was a lot of hard work, no one to guide me and fun was frowned upon. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about with those things that could destroy me. Fortunately I grew tired of this lifestyle early and began a journey of seeking God. I went back to church seeking to find a social network of friends who were not wanting to live on the wild side. My thinking was at least they had a desire to live more wholesome lives overall. It was a way to network and open the door for a job, a chance to build skills and walk away from the party lifestyle. It was also a good place to me to involve my children in activities in the hopes of keeping them from running the streets and getting into too much trouble. This lifestyle worked for a while but something still was not right. I wanted to follow a god of my own creation and it was starting to take shape in my life. At church married people seemed like they “knew” how to be happy, to be a couple and I was full of doubt. As a teen advisor I saw many teens who were troubled. I also noticed that the perfect marriages I thought were all around were less than stable and wonderful. I kept wishing I had a place to find what being a loving wife meant. I wanted something more. After my divorce I found myself in a church that was not afraid to admit that the leaders were searching. I learned how to study my Bible more fully looking to God to teach me about all those questions I had. They even had ministries for marriages, both first marriages and later for those who were divorced. They had retreats that matched the Bible on marriage. They even taught that men are made differently than women and their roles came together uniquely. My faith journey continues to evolve and I am still growing. The biggest lesson I learn is following God takes time and work. The more I saturate myself in God’s love, Word and prayer the more my life grows into love. I keep learning that the money I have is temporary so don’t rely completely on it. I learn if I trust, obey and go forth in the name of Jesus I will find strength and courage to face all of life and I will always have what I need to live life fully. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet