IN GOD ALONE

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We, the people, have been bombarded with an urgent desire to depose a sitting president.  This has been going on for the entire presidency of Donald Trump.  I have stated on my blog recently, that I’m trying to avoid the news because of all this nonsense, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.  The only true way to avoid all the buzz is to leave this planet and find a place in the universe that is not exposed to the news of the earth.  You can unplug – not read the newspaper – try to bypass your home page on the computer – hide under a rock or go into a coma until the next election is decided.  None of those options seem likely.

It’s in our face from the time we wake in the morning until we lay our weary heads on the pillow at night.  It seems to me that an era of hatred and dismay has hit the core of our country.  Everyone seems to have one small ounce of anger in their bodies, which is spreading like a cancer throughout our land.  We sit in judgment of each other.  We look for things that will hurt another’s reputation, his self-worth, we bully, we torment, we try to make ourselves look better than others.  How are any of those things going to be of benefit to anyone?

With the numbers of those who are no longer attending churches on the rise, we have to ask ourselves why.  Why – when we rely on our own agenda, things don’t go as planned.  When God is no longer present in our daily lives, why are we surprised when evil takes over?  When we focus so much on negative thoughts about each other, is there any wonder that hatred is on the upswing?  Why is there a rise in drug usage – murder – sex trafficking – abuse – unnecessary rage?  Why, why, why?

The number one reason (in my opinion) is that we’ve become a society of people who have lost contact with God.  We’ve turned our backs on the greatest asset we have as a nation.  Some would laugh at that opinion, but if we look back within the pages of God’s own words, we will see that every time the nation of Israel turned away from God, they were left on their own until they returned to Him again.  Our God is not just the God of Israel.  He is the God of heaven and earth and everything in it.

Maybe it’s time for us to return to our Creator and ask for forgiveness for our foolish behavior and plead His intervention.  Those who call on His name will not go unnoticed. In Him alone our future will be determined.  In fact He’s already laid out the final plan.

 

 

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WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

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I am not a marriage expert, nor could I possibly have all the secrets to a happy marriage, but there is a wonderful book which carries some extremely good advice on how to live together as husband and wife and how to have your life together blessed in countless ways. The book is God’s own message to us in the Bible, which He breathed into the pens of men many years ago. The Bible, though ancient in its conception, is still pertinent today in all areas of our lives.

Here are ten references to specific elements of a great marriage:

  • 1 John 4:7 Refers to placing God at the head of your house. Having Him as your chief advisor makes some of the tough decisions easier and He also promises to bless those who trust in Him.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:11 & Genesis 2:24 talks about a total commitment to each other – becoming one flesh. This is difficult to understand in a time when we are taught to live our own lives and do our own thing.
  • Hebrews 13:4 proclaims that we should trust one another. Any great relationship has to be built on trust or the foundation will not stand up under the storms of life.
  • Ephesians 5:25- We should love each other as we love ourselves. Isn’t it true that we often put ourselves first. When you marry, you have another part to honor – Your better half.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14 Tells us to be joined in faith. When you have a common faith you can move mountains with God’s help.
  • Ezekiel 3:14-21 reminds us to honor the vows we said before God – to love, honor and obey until death. This is one contract that should never be entered into lightly.
  • Hebrews 13:1-25 is a great section on being encouragers of one another.
  • Psalm 85:10 tells us to be hold tightly to our love for each other.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 refers to being respectful of one another.
  • John 15:13 talks about the greatest love of all being the willingness to give your life for another. John 3:16 tells us God’s perfect love for us.

God wants us to be happy in all areas of life. When He created man, He saw the need for Adam to have a companion – a helper; so He created woman. He blessed that partnership and continues to lavish us with His love when we remember Him first in our marriages.

Thank you, dear Lord, for blessing mine.

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FINAL BLOOMS

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When bruised and injured we do fall, before our Father’s throne
Looking on the lamb once slain for all sins to atone,
Our pain is nothing next to His, our wounds are all but naught.
The blood He shed, His torturous death were all with insult fraught,
But still the Son of God went forth in dignity and strength,
He took our place and bore the cross until His dying breath,
Three days went by. He shunned the grave and rose to life again.
He did this so I too could claim a life in heaven with Him.
Sweet Jesus you have walked the road that I deserved to go.
You did this without one complaint, you knew just what to do,
So when I’m feeling battered and pulled in many ways,
Remind me of the walk you took and please accept the praise.

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THANK GOD FOR GOOD NEWS!

maxresdefaultIn this year before the next presidential election, we’ve been bombarded with all kinds of yucky news.  I for one am sick of it and have decided to disconnect when it’s time for the news shows.  It has become nothing more than tabloid news anyway, which I can read for free at the check out stand at my grocery store.  We should not have to be subject to all this nonsense for more than a year before the event occurs.

On the other hand, when something good happens, we need to take time to thank God for it.  Thus, I am doing so today.  When you get to be my age, any little thing makes you think you have cancer or some deadly disease. Each new ache and pain is a good indicator that you aren’t long for this world.  Paul and I are now 77.  We were married when we were 22 which is 55 years ago (almost.)

So we both had our annual physicals about a week apart this year, so the nail biting and negative thinking had already begun to creep in as we waited for results.  It was suggest that Paul have a PET scan, because it was some time since he had been treated for prostate cancer and his numbers were elevated.  The final result (drum roll please!) no cancer indicated.  Praise God.  All his other tests were fine too.

I went in with a variety of issues including a sprained knee, a UTI and lots of questions.  I was sure I had early signs of Alzheimer’s.  I was convinced that I had bladder cancer or kidney stones.  My allergies were acting up and I was expecting the worse.  I actually suggested that my doc come home with me, so that when I have these feelings of anxiety over aging, she could reassure me on a daily basis.

All of my blood work came back fine except for the UTI, which is treatable.  My knee is now in a brace to keep it stabilized.  The only problem is, it keeps falling down half way through the day.  I wonder if they have suspenders for knee braces.  My lungs were clear and I was just experiencing the bad air that everyone else had been.

So it looks like the two of us are good for another six months.  I guess God isn’t ready for us yet.

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AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

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ART & POETRY BY PAUL T. & KATHY BOECHER©

Bathed in a buttery softness of golden light,

Touched ever so lightly with God’s own breath,

A powerful creature pads across the horizon,

Burnished antlers glistening,

Exhalation visible in the early morning mist,

Soon his body will call out for ravenous scavenging to sustain,

Through the coming cold and icy winter,

But today,

He roams,

He lolls,

He rests,

He lifts his majestic head to heaven,

And basks in the autumn sun,

Enjoying every last second.

 

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PURE LOVE

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This is the week of my 55th wedding anniversary, so I’m devoting at least one post each day to the complex subject of love.

The purest of love comes from our Creator, God.  He created one man and one woman to join them as husband and wife and made them equal partners on this planet.  His wisdom set in motion a natural order of things which should still live today.  God is the head of all things.  Jesus is the mediator between God and man.  The first man was made from the earth, by the Creator.  He molded Adam from the ground, but created a perfect body, with all the intricate workings designed to carry man through his daily living – not a robot or a puppet, but a living, breathing, functioning human being.  The man was knit together before he came to be, by God Himself. When God saw that it was not good for him to be alone, He created the first woman by taking a bone from Adam’s ribs and fashioning her into the perfect mate.  That divine union would populate the earth.

Together Adam and Eve fell from God’s grace because of disobedience, but even then, God made a covenant with them which could only come from the purest kind of love. He promised them a Savior and He carried through on that promise.

As His children, we should follow His lead and love without condition. When we give something of ourselves to benefit others, God tells us to do it with a loving heart. If there is any malice in the doing or giving, we aren’t doing it His way. His love is an example for us, but we can never really love the way He does.

When a couple marries they are faced with a whole myriad of issues. There can be personality clashes, differences in how to do things, high expectations and low results, and so much more. These are merely tools the devil uses to turn us away from God to the tainted and perverted love he offers. The prince of lies has a way of making us feel bruised, used and abused.

When a man and woman join their lives in marriage, they’re making a huge commitment to one another.  Their lives are no longer their own.  The bond they have needs nurturing, patience, charity, faith, understanding and a willingness to compromise.  That’s a tall order for most of us.  Especially in a world that says we should only look out for ourselves.  By adding the third cord – the One that strengthens – you can withstand many of the problems that arise.

Marriage requires a great amount of work, but the results are definitely worth it. I can’t thank God enough for the gift He has given me through my husband and the love He has blessed us with for so long.

 Thank you, God, for your gift of marriage.  You planned mine down to the last detail.  You knew precisely what I needed and gave me so much more than I ever expected.  Continue to bless our lives together with the pure love only you have.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen! 

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HAPPY SATURDAY

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WHAT IS IT ENQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW?

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We seem to be overrun with fake news these days, but it’s really nothing new.  Anything that isn’t true is fake news, right?  Some might refer to it as stretching the truth with innuendo or rhetoric.  Some may perceive it as all out lies and deception.  With the introduction of the Internet, most people have become used to seeing instant news and believing whatever they read without checking out the resources.  In fact, the old time reporting of Walter Cronkite and David Brinkley was assumed to be accurate.  Was it?

When I graduated from high school, my hope was to go to college to learn how to be a journalist.  It was a time when things were changing radically.  The magazines and newspapers were revered because of their investigative reporting.  They dug deeply for the facts and most likely they were accurate.  With the speed of passing that news through the airwaves and into peoples’ homes via television, we thought we were being fed a diet of truth when we watched the news each day.

So is “Fake News” something that just got started in the last several years?  Actually The National Enquirer was founded way back in 1926 as a proving ground for new ideas.  It made its way into grocery stores as a tabloid magazine and has tickled the curiosity of shoppers for a long time.

Thinking back in history when there wasn’t mass media, there was still word of mouth and, like the old game of telephone tag, the original message often got lost in translation.

Going way back to a short time after God created he world, it didn’t take long for mankind to falsify information for their own benefit.  Take Adam & Eve for example.  They were told not to do something and they did it anyway.  One blamed the other and both eventually blamed the Father of Lies himself – the devil.

As long as humans inhabit the earth there will be deception.  We need to do our own research. Relying on fact checking on the internet is almost like reading more of the same.  It has come to a point in our history, that we cannot rely on the Internet to give us the truth.  Everything we read or hear needs to be checked out for the truth.  Maybe I’ll finally become the journalist I once dreamed of being.  In the meantime we are bound to be lambasted with fake news, because the devil is still alive and active.  We are the ones who need to question everything and see if it adds up.

There is only one resource that is blameless and that’s God’s Word.  We can count on every word being true because God inspired each one of them. It can help us to be discerning, wise, faithful and perceptive.  It will also show us the way to perfection.

 

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WALLY’S FRYDADDY FRIDAY FUNNY

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

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BAD HAIRCUT & DYE JOB

 

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ENDING IT ALL

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It seems that many young people today are turning their thoughts to suicide as an option for a solution to their problems. Maybe at some time in our own lives, we have all thought the world would be a better place without us in it.

What drives us to think that way? Maybe we just can’t cope with the thoughtless words of peers. We may not be able bear the burden of debt. We might be facing a difficult disease and the thought of putting family through such hardship is  too much for us to handle.

Whatever the reason, it is definitely not part of God’s plan for us. Each of us is special to Him. He created us. He knew us before we were even conceived. He loves us with a love that exceeds our understanding.  In Psalm 139 we learn that God knit us together while in our mother’s womb.  His involvement in our creation is important for us to know, because it seals the fact that we are worth something to Him.  Our value to Him is so immeasurable that He took our sins to the cross so we could spend eternity with Him.

If you are experiences thoughts of suicide or you know of someone who is, talk to someone about it.  There are resources available which I’ve listed below.  Another great source of comfort is the Bible with its many words of encouragement for our lives.  There is nothing so insurmountable that can’t be solved by God.

September is Suicide Awareness Month.  When things begin to spiral out of control, let’s look to His word for answers instead of to ourselves and don’t be fooled by what the devil is trying to convince us of. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God has the future mapped out for us and because of that, we should revere Him by living it.

Informational Resources
Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide
Being Prepared for a Crisis
Need more information, referrals or support? Contact the NAMI HelpLine.
Crisis Resources
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.
If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.

 

 

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EERY MORNING RANDOM THOUGHTS

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This image reflects what I’m seeing from my window this morning.  It’s already 8 AM and a thick haze of fog envelopes my view.  The wind is slightly tickling the branches on the trees so you might think it was cooling, but when I went to move my car I was faced with a giant slap of unbreathable air.  Since I have Asthma I began to cough and sputter. Add to that, I am currently stage managing a musical version of “Sleepy Hollow,” and I live in the small town of Anoka, MN – “the Halloween capitol of the world,” you might believe my thinking is a little cloudy this morning.

Well, I guess it has been for the past few months.  As the years pass, God has given me a good life.  I know that my future is guaranteed both here and in eternity, but lately have been wondering what He wants me to do with the rest of my time here.  I am convinced that work is still in the cards.  Ask most retirees how they manage to live on Social Security and they’ll tell you they continue to work.  So what happens when age begins to catch up with you?

Your memory fails at times – you can’t voice the right words when necessary – your body aches – you take more time to think things through – you can’t keep up the stamina of youth, but you feel you need to contribute to the earning.

Fortunately, as I was looking out at the mire and fog, I came across this Bible passage.

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”                       1 Corinthians 13:9-12

This is the “Love” chapter which is usually referenced at weddings, but it can really apply to all times in a persons life.    We might face moments that are cloudy – whether they’re shrouded by indecision or confusion or mixed with unsureness about the future and what is in God’s plan.  We don’t know what lies ahead, but God has promised us, that if we depend on Him, we can be certain it will be excellent.

When clouds cover your future – when you don’t know which way to turn – when you find yourself at a crossroads, remember that God is in control and His promise for your future is certain.

 

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FOLLOWING THE SWEET AROMA

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Oneta Hayes at Sweet Aroma posted a series of questions that might reveal something  about some of you in the blogosphere.  Might take a little time, but should be interesting and maybe even funny.

QUESTIONS

1. Do you make your bed every morning?  I sleep on the couch because I can’t climb the stairs so the answer is yes.  
2. What was your first car?  A 1964 Ford Fairlane which had over two hundred thousand miles on it.  When we finally got rid of it we were given $50 and they had to tow it out of our driveway.
3. What two grocery items do you never run out of?  I shop weekly so I usually need to resupply almost everything.
4. At what age did you start doing your laundry?  When I realized I didn’t have anything clean to wear..  
5. If you could, would you go back to high school?   Never.  I don’t want to go through puberty again.  I didn’t like pimples or cramps.  I think those are the most stressful years until menopause.

6. Can you parallel park in under three moves?  Not sure.  I haven’t had  to for about 20 years.

7. A job you had which people would be shocked to know you once had?  I worked as a vocal coach for Cirque Du Soliel.  My student was to be a ringer from the audience with a typical Minnesotan accent, but he had a heavy Spanish accent mixed with French Canadian.  I discovered part of the problem was the fact that he was wearing a clown nose causing him to have a nasally sound.
8. Do you think aliens are real?  I don’t discount the possibility.  God created the world and all the planets.  If we were to find life on other planets it would be cool.  They might have an answer for world peace.
9. Can you drive a stick shift?  Yes and I still own and drive a car with a stick shift.  It’s an adventure and keeps my knees strong.

10. Guilty TV pleasure?  Tom Sellick  westerns.
11. Tattoos?  None.  I’ve always had visions of an aging, sagging body and that was enough to snuff that idea out quickly.
12. If the world ends do you want to be one of survivors?  I will be a survivo, but not here.
13. Sweet or salty?  Are we talking about men here or food?  
14. Do you enjoy soaking in a nice hot bath?  Yes indeed.  It’s the getting out of the tub that creates problems.
15. Do you consider yourself a strong person?  Physically, no, but spiritually and emotionally I’d say I’m one tough cookie.
16. Something people do that drives you nuts?  Crack their knuckles or don’t look you in the eye when they talk to you.
17. Do you have any birthmarks?  That’s none of your business, but yes.
18. Favorite childhood game?  I liked Hide & Seek, but most of the time I preferred putting on shows in the backyard with kids I’d drag by the shirt collar to perform.  
19. Do you talk to yourself?  No but I hum a lot.
20. Do you like doing jigsaw puzzles? I like doing the corners.
21. Tea or coffee?  No thank you.
22. First thing you remember wanting to be when you grew up?  First it was a brain surgeon, then a writer, now I cut away at my writing.
23. Favorite game now? Jeopardy

Now it’s your turn.  Use the list, copy and paste and fill in your answers.

1. Do you make your bed every morning?

2. What was your first car?
3. What two grocery items do you never run out of?
4. At what age did you start doing your laundry?
5. If you could, would you go back to high school?
6. Can you parallel park in under three moves?
7. A job you had which people would be shocked to know you once had?
8. Do you think aliens are real?
9. Can you drive a stick shift?
10. Guilty TV pleasure?
11. Tattoos?
12. If the world ends do you want to be one of survivors?
13. Sweet or salty?
14. Do you enjoy soaking in a nice hot bath?
15. Do you consider yourself a strong person?
16. Something people do that drives you nuts?
17. Do you have any birthmarks?
18. Favorite childhood game?
19. Do you talk to yourself?
20. Do you like doing jigsaw puzzles?
21. Tea or coffee?
22. First thing you remember wanting to be when you grew up?
23. Favorite game now?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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WHEN IS TOO MUCH, TOO MUCH?

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When we lived in the heart of Minneapolis, I had a membership at Costco.  I’d drive a long way, spent more than I should’ve on things I normally wouldn’t buy, bought my prescriptions, had photos developed, got ink for my printer, could buy a car if I wanted to and thought it was the ideal place to save money.  My yearly membership fee reminded me of that.

When we moved to small town, Minnesota I discovered there was a Costco only two miles from our house.  I could go there for a free lunch if I wanted by tasting all the samples.  That first year I managed to stock up on things that I still have three years later.  Since we downsized I no longer have room for all the accumulated “good” deals, so I reluctantly failed to renew my membership.  It’s been a couple years now and I feel I’m finally cured of wholesale shopping mania.  It can become an addiction of sorts.

I still have two large jars of coconut oil, just finished off the final can of a giant, economy sized Pam and really miss going through the store and testing all the nifty food choices.  I’m over it though – really.

When you retire there isn’t a huge need for a lot of anything, except perhaps toilet paper.  First you’re purchasing a membership, which puts a strain on your fixed income.  You don’t need as much as you once did since you rarely entertain.  Two elderly people can only consume so much fruit in a week.  The cheesecake which serves at least 40 people would instantly go to my hips, not to mention the gigantic muffins and oversized pies.  Did I mention the baked gods were amazing?

I recently watched an episode of “The Golden Girls,” where the matriarch, Sophia bought a warehouse membership and went berserk buying cases of items she wouldn’t be able to use in two lifetimes.  The episode ended with her making dinner one night.  It was a sardine casserole covered with crunched up oatmeal cookies – a lot of it.

I have a theory that our society is headed for cocooning in the future.  We’re almost there in fact.  We work at home.  We shop and order meals to have them delivered to us.  Our prescriptions can be mailed to us. If you have a warehouse shopping card, you only have to shop once every three years.  You can get an education online as well as go to church.  You can even study the Bible on your phone – there’s an app for that. You won’t have to interact with anyone face to face except for those who deliver things to you.  Praise God I won’t live to see that day.

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WHY GO TO CHURCH?

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We sometimes form our ideas about attending church out of habit, need or willingness.  When we gather or assemble we are doing more than that.  We have been invited to confess our sins, to receive absolution and forgiveness, to give thanks for our blessings and our trials and to praise God for His bounty – even when we are blind to those things.

A church is not merely a building.  The Bible tells us that where two or more are gathered in one place, God is in the midst of them.  What a thought!  To have God right in the middle of the gathering place, sharing His love, forgiveness and peace.  A church is not just a place to go and show others how obedient you are.  It’s a place where you can bring your prayers, worship, praise and thanks to the God of all creation, who knows your heart and loves you.

When we spend the rest of the week in a sin filled world, it’s like a breath of fresh air to step inside God’s house.  You can take an hour or more sharing time with Him first and foremost.  You can hear the truth and gain peace from His Word.  You can share your thoughts with like minded people.  We are not going to a house of worship because we’re so much better than anyone else but because we are in need of a remedy.  Sin is very real and we need to be treated for it on a regular basis.

Jesus is the remedy.  He took on all the sins of the world so that we could have eternal life.  His love is unconditional and requires nothing from us in payment.  He did it all and we come together to give Him the honor He is due.

Going to church will also give you an opportunity to meet others who share your beliefs and those who need encouragement.  As a corporate group we pray for each other, we lift each other up and we see where we are part of something where we are needed.  There is a place for everyone at church.  Come and see!

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COVET?

The word covet isn’t used much today.  Instead we talk about greed, desire, longing, craving, lust or wanting what someone else has that we don’t.  Both the 8th & 9th Commandments are similar because they talk about how our passions get in the way of common sense.  They both refer to coveting.

The ninth refers to a neighbor’s home – his shelter – his inheritance.  Instead of looking at his home as the grass always being greener on the other side of the fence, we should be willing to help him, work beside him, make sacrifices so that he will be able to keep it for his own protection and good.

The tenth goes a little further by including his wife and family, all his worldly goods and anything that he owns.  Our neighbor is not just the guy who lives next door.  He is anyone we do business with, our friends, our co-workers, our leaders, our teachers, everyone we come into contact with on a daily basis.  As followers of God, it’s our responsibility to love everyone even when we don’t agree with them or think we deserve what they possess more than they do.

These ten commandments were establish by God as the Israelites passed through 40 years of traveling through the wilderness and soon forgetting what God had done for them during their deliverance from bondage.   We often act the same way.  As soon as we’re left to our own devices, we’re bound to fail.  God presented theses commandments, carved in stone tablets by His own hand, through His servant Moses.  They aren’t complicated to understand.  Some seem archaic today, because of the circumstances of time has almost obliterated them.  Still for those who love God and depend on His intervention, they are not just guidelines, but LAW.

We’ve seen an increase in crime and blatant misuse of the law of our land.  We’ve also seen the laws of God stomped upon and crushed as they were when Moses came down that mountain.  Each law we have in place in our country was designed for the protection and safety of its citizens. Each of God’s Commands were written to give us the truth of how God wants us to live.  In my book, He certainly deserves our obedience more than anyone.

The words are simple.  We aren’t talking about complicated legal language.  God’s word is written for all of us – not just the rich, the poor, the harassed or broken – everyone – in words that stand the test of time.

In concluding this series on the Ten Commandments, we’re reminded that God is jealous.  He demands our obedience, but He shows mercy to those who love Him and follow His law.  That should send fear into our souls and minds.  Our humanity and original sin will separate us until we die.  Since our God is also loving and full of grace, He has provided a way for us to keep these laws.  Through His Son, Jesus, we’re guaranteed eternal life. Through His Spirit’s work within our hearts and minds, we believe and trust God completely.  The Spirit instills in us the faith necessary to follow Him.

THE NINTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.


 

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WALLY’S FRIDAY FRIDADDY FUNNY

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JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

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JUDGE NOT, LEST YE BE JUDGED

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When we bear false witness, lie or spread rumors, alter another person’s reputation with misinformation, bully, cut down or humiliate another human being, we are in fact disobeying the Eighth Commandment.  It also goes against Jesus’ teaching to treat others as we want to be treated.

A young girl is accused of being sexually promiscuous.  There is nothing to back it up, but word spreads like wildfire and soon she is known as the town slut.  Because of careless words and thoughtlessness, she now carries an undeserved label, which will stick to her for years.

A man is about to be voted onto the largest court in the land is accused of sexual harassment.  A Senate Judiciary Committee drags his name through the mud along with that of his accusers.  We sat watching the drama unfold on our TV sets. These people’s reputation will be in question from now on.

A simple lie can mushroom into a giant explosion.  One falsehood can start wars, destroy lives, cause depression, anger and shame.  We see falsehoods spread at lightening speed with the tools of social media.  Are we so bent on making ourselves look better by making others look bad?  Do we accomplish that by creating untrue stories?  What has happened to our core beliefs?

The Commandments from God have been corrupted over time and the simplicity of their meaning has been uprooted.  The Eighth Commandment is expounded on in the book of James in the New Testament.  A whole section is devoted to the evils of the human tongue.

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.”  James 3:6 ESV

We’re held accountable to God for the way we treat Him, ourselves and those we interact with.  He’s the only One who can judge what’s in the heart.  We are also to make a point of being of assistance to others and support their good name.

We won’t be completely free of our original sin until after our death.  While we’re part of the world we’re not immune to temptation.  Through the promise of God and the death of His beloved sin, the ransom has been paid, and because of that gift we can ask God to help us to live according to His law and His will.

Maybe it’s time to carve these laws in stone again and place them on display for all the world to see.  They are designed to bring order to our lives.

The Eighth Commandment
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.

 

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“I’M NOT A CROOK!”

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The word STEAL has many meanings.  The obvious one is to take something from another person which you have no right to.  Over time it has been associated with  thievery, identity theft, stealing a kiss, a base, a scene, an idea or something of value.  We revered a thief named Robin Hood, because he stole from the rich and gave to the poor.  Even the stagecoach and bank robbers of the old west have been immortalized. The movies make it look easy.  Our culture seems to accept it.  Stealing can be motivated by need, greed or a desire to succeed.

When I was a child of seven, I pocketed an item in an antique store.  I don’t recall what it was or why I stole it, but I managed to get outside of the store, walk home and make my way to my room without being caught.  Somehow my father discovered the trinket and knew that I’d stolen it.  He marched me back to the store and made me return the item and apologize for stealing it.  I did.

That event played heavily on my conscience for a long time.  How did I think I could get away with breaking God’s law?  How could I bear the weight of being a thief?  My apology was enough to get me off the hook, but I still carried the guilt.  Every time I heard the Seventh Commandment I was convinced that I was condemned to a life in hell.

An incident like that may seem like a childish prank and a life lesson from my dad, but for many this could be the first step to a life of crime.  I thought about my dad and the truth he was trying to give me and I wondered if he had ever stolen anything.  After all, he grew up without a father.  He was the responsible child, because he had suddenly become the head of the house.  In the early 1900s, a woman raising four children by herself would find it more than difficult to provide for her family.  Could desperation lead to stealing a loaf of bread?

In our world today, we hear evidence of corporate theft, where ideas are stolen from other companies to further their own success.  There are those who steal written material from other writers and we call them plagiarists.  There are those in the workplace who steal from their employers and we call them embezzlers. There are those who steal because they feel a certain rush by getting away with it.  They justify their crime and continue doing it.  We call them, addicted to crime.

As with all of our sins against God’s Commandments, this one is designed for us to lead a Godly life and treat others as we would want to be treated.  We also fall short on every one of the laws of God.  Being given too much change by a cashier and not saying anything – taking office supplies from the workplace and using them as your own – taking money out of your child’s piggy bank to pay a bill are all examples of stealing.  Even the very thought of committing such a crime convicts us.

The lesson I learned from my dad that day, was to admit what I had done and ask for forgiveness.  That’s what repentance and restoration are all about.  Then, if we follow God’s will for our lives, with His help, we will be forgiven.  Jesus bought us with His life.  We owe Him so much.  Knowing that He loves us unconditionally is reason enough to follow Him.  He will return again soon to judge the world.

Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor’s money or goods, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and business.

Luther’s Small Catechism

 

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