Monday, October 20, 2014

I am staggering at times....................

I am staggering at times at the immaturity of man (men) in today's society so as to cast off, not only their "first Love", but also their second love which is the appreciation (by showing) of their "help meets", their wives.
There is much to say in Scripture about the importance of the "help meet" of our creation but at this time I would like to put it into my own words.
So many men today, and through all mankind have never embraced the depth of "completion" that can be experienced with our wives.
I speak of the completion of "oneness" between a man and a woman "as it was in the beginning." I adhere to no other application of marriage as being shown in the Scriptures.
But even in this God proven necessity, of a man and a woman clinging to one another, leaving their parents for that sole purpose, most the time selfishness is shown and to the greatest extent by the man, to cause "lack of real intimacy" in the union.
Scripture tells us to "Love our wives as ourselves" and that "no man hateth himself but feedeth and nurisheth his own body", such should he do for his wife.
Most problems arrive in the marriage when the husband can't seem to grasp how to treat his wife as he treats himself. There seems to be a dual expectation that lifts up the man and sets down the woman.
"If my wife wants to be with me she has to enjoy the things I do, because I am going to do them whether or not she likes it."
"House chores are her job, I provide for the family!"
"Football season is here.........what does she expect me to do...........the game is on."
"As a man thinks in his heart so is he."
So if "ANYTHING" is more important than your wife then your heart has been revealed and you fail "Marriage 101" according to Scripture.
"But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God."
First God gave us Jesus Christ to prove His Love for us and redeem us from the transgression of his creation. (Changing of His design for creation.) 
Then He gave us our "help meet" to pour into them that same Love that we experience from Him. "To esteem others better than ourselves" that we might have and transfer that legacy of Love to our future generations...........His heritage!
Because of this "creation design" we will never be complete without both Christ and woman. We cannot be complete with same sex marriages because we cannot embrace God opening the womb to continue (fill up the earth) procreation.
We cannot also satisfy "creation design" when the woman is looked at as a subordinate to the man.
Paul said, "As women was created from man ..........Man comes from woman." Oneness by necessity of procreation.
I believe that the roles of man and woman are different in application but equal in support.
By that I mean that man is the provider and protector, and woman the mother, wife, and help meet. Both completing the design of life and thereby "complimenting" one another with only "logistical" differences separating their performances.
So how does a man "think in his heart" the "right" things about his wife and then put them into practice? 
Here is some ideas: 
A true woman takes from her husband her completeness. Meaning that unless she gets that from him she will never be complete. Sorry that's not my idea it's Gods design. But at the same time man is complete by the becoming one with his wife. First physically, then spiritually and emotionally. The physical "makes them one" then the "Love of God shed abroad in our hearts" unites body, soul and spirit into complete "oneness."
I believe that the only way for a man to show his wife her value is to be a leader in the expression of Love and understanding in the relationship. Sure some of this will be backwards in many marriages but this is not the design of God.
Man will give account to God for all his wife's, and children's training.
He will lead them or he will destroy these precious gifts by his "godliness" or lack there of.
How does a man "inspire his wife?"
First: by "growing up." No explanation needed here. If one is than you are not ready for this preaching.
Two: By starting with his heart to put her equal with him in care and consideration.
How?
You can put your wife first not only in her presence (and whether you believe it or not, they notice who or what you put first) but in her absence.
Here is what I do as oft as I am going before to do:
Make a special breakfast (what she enjoys) on the weekends. Getting up earlier than her to make sure it is ready for when she wakes.
Turn down her side of the bed to show invitation.
Do the dishes without being told, the dry them and put them away.
Helping her with dusting or floors, without her asking, with a smile, willingly.
Making intimate times for her first not yourself. Your a man it takes her longer and she deserves that extra time and attention after a day of "pleasing everyone else" by being the Mom.
Finding arousal only in her because she is God's perfect gift for you.
Controlling wandering eyes and loose lips about how someone else is attractive to you. If you truly love your wife you will not be able to say that someone else has any attraction what so ever to you. Showing other wise demeans her and causes distrust in your love and motives.
Love everything about her.........every thing. Her eyes, her smile, the way she smells, laughs, feels, and responds. Know her better than you know yourself.
Constantly reaffirm to her your Love both verbally, physically, and with reaffirming actions meant just for her.
Tell her you Love her (from the heart) many times a day..........many!
Kiss her tenderly as oft as the opportunity presents itself........and that without always having expectation of "more". The more will never be a problem if the now is sincere and without expectation. Let her respond to the out pouring of love and expression in her own time. Who can say no to Unconditional Love?
Compliment her with out cause or end. Sincerely. Cover everything about her from her smile to the way she looks, whether in pajama's of going to a wedding. She should be the desire of your heart. Let here know, everyday.
Become the man she can "lean on" literally! She should be able to "rest in your", your love, your compassion, your commitment. She should feel that there is nothing that she can't talk to you about or express in your presence that you would react to. Even when that means expressing a different opinion. Right or not ill response is not way to show your wife she is precious, at any time.
She should always feel welcome and safe in your arms.
She should always want to "be there in them" resting, breathing, trusting and receiving.
This is just a start to what "being one" means and how to begin the journey to that command. There is so much more to add and instruct in this matter. If you let your heart lead and treat the way you want to be treated you will grow in grace and love for one another, both feeling satisfied in the balance thereof.
Love one another......as Christ Loved His church and gave His life for it. So you should love one another.
Remember that other eyes are on you for reason of practice whether good or evil being your example.
Love in Christ
J&E

Life is short but love is eterenal

Friends:
"The night is far spent and the day is dawning"........
Love one another.
Life is waning and time is passing.........
Love one another.
Tomorrow is promised to no one......
Love one another.
Embrace life with love..........
Love one another.
The only surety in life we have is to.........
Love one another.
Cast off the sin which so easily besets.........
Love one another.
Put to rest malice, condemnation, bitterness and...........
Love one another.
"He who loveth God loveth others!"
"He who loveth not his brothers loveth not God"
Love one another.
Love J&E in Tn

Saturday, October 18, 2014

I have lived long enough to:

I have lived long enough to:
Get past the living of life and on to the loving of life.
Embrace pain and sorrow to see the joy and love of what it brings.
Weep with those who are weeping and laugh with those who are laughing.
Know that we are not all alike but to embrace the person not the practice.
To forgive and to ask to be forgiven.
To apply passion in the right area's and control in the other area's.
Enjoy simplicity and marvel at the magnitude that it represents.
Have faith in God and His Word and practice what it preaches.
To realize that death comes to us all and not to be feared if the destination is clear.
That Wife, Children, Grandchildren, and Friends are blessings of a "good life."
Hope for 1 more day, every day, so that love and life might continue a little longer.
Love
J&E inTn

Monday, October 13, 2014

Fear Mongering vs Faith

I believe I know why the news is so full of "fear mongering" these days.
Man wants you to believe that we are on a hopeless landslide of disease, disaster, and dependency.
It all goes against what God has created us for which is: faith, family, and friends.
The winnowing fork is in the chaff separating out those who believe and perform and those who don't believe and protest.
Faith is supposed to be by design natural, fear (or the lack of faith and it's fruits) is unnatural.
To many for too long have bought into the old adage of "God doesn't care anymore." Just because you haven't seen Him working doesn't mean He is not there.
If you don't sense His presence then: "Who moved" you or Him?
We don't need all the answers, all we need is faith in Him who is the answer!
Love
J&E in Tn

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Just a little faith............

Just a short report on one of the latest miracles that God has manifested Himself in.
Back in May I was prepping for my wife's mothers memorial. Those preparations included making sure that the dress pants, shirt, and jacket would fit then getting a haircut.
I have been going to this barber for several years and immediately struck off on a conversation in the direction of Christ. He too identified himself as a Christian which to me was a sign to "throw open the doors" and preach God in all His glory.
As I am on this blog I am in life so there is no limit to the imagination of what was discussed as topics throughout our relationship thus far.
Faith, miracles, healing's, signs and wonders, preaching of meat and other sound doctrine that is seldom touched by preaching now a days. At first he was quiet and over the years only offered cursory remarks to the conversations. But "God be true and every man a liar" he could only admit to a rather limited experience to the performance of faith or actual validity of the Bible.
Sound familiar?
Most Christians practice the same doctrine: I haven't heard that, seen that, or experienced that, so it must of at sometime ended. Sad epitaph of preaching today.
Having vigorously over the past engaged him in most of what I have written here I was ready to "prove" his faith and the faithfulness of God when he announced last August that he was going in for some serious tests having to do with intestinal and esophagus cancer.
That day I sat in the "chair of cogitation" and engaged him in another conversation of healing having to do with a woman that used to be in our home church that had MS. How having been put in the hospital for treatment (wheel chair ridden) as that her legs were failing her and therapy was to be made. We were coming up to our old home state for a reason that I cannot remember now and on our leaving our home we decided to swing by her house and deliver some salami we had made specifically for her (lacking cures because it aggravated her MS). As we came close to her area I called her to see if she would be at home so that we could drop off the product of promise. She said that she was at the hospital and gave us the room number.
We arrived there shortly and engaged in a conversation at her behest about her condition and what might have caused the flair up, then continued into God's Word and healing. When Elise and I set out on this journey we had no "anointing" as to prayer or outcome for her. We just knew that if we were to know God's will in this it would be by "being obedient" to the command to "go out", pray in Jesus name, and preach the Truth and the Truth will set free.
As she talked I could see that she was beset by much confusion over the who, what, when, where and why of faith and healing. She had a pen and pad to write down what might be said so that she could "remember" it for later. After she had made her points and doubts we prayed then "opened our mouths wide that God would fill it with Words", and "thinking not what to say before times but letting the Holy Spirit instruct us in what to say."
As utterance was made to encourage her and build her faith I noticed that she would say: "I never seen that in this wise" and start to write it down. At this point I stopped her from writing down the words we were speaking and instead to listen with her heart not her mind, thus entrance would be made into her heart and she would be "reminded of all things that Jesus said" by the Holy Spirit.
Note: If all you know of Scripture is what you have assessed with your mind then you know nothing as it is to be know. God's Word is Spirit and must be taught by the Holy Spirit, better put in this wise: "I will take your heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh, where in I will write my Word with my finger." Not of the mind but of the "finger" of God, not by carnal knowledge but "by Revelation of Jesus Christ."
Once we cleared that hurdle she leaned forward in her wheel chair and listened with her heart, not struggling to "hold on to what was said" but treating it as "real meat to be eaten by the Spirit".
Most of the "walls" I have encountered in many Christians seem to be about the question: "what is the real Truth about Scripture" and "what should I really believe?" Negating the "power" of "promise and command" with "how do I feel about that?" and "if it were true, why haven't I or any of my fellow worshipers experienced this?" They become the judge of Truth instead of being obedient to the Truth!
As I have said in the past and repeat again: "Let God be True and every man a liar", what is written is Truth whether or not "you or I" have experienced it. If the promise of God for signs and wonders has met an end then so has salvation, because He cannot fail, and He cannot lie. As He has said in His word: "if you break the least of these commandments you have broken them all!" He is bound by His Word as "He swore and shall not rescind", and "because there was no greater to swear by He swore by himself " making the oath unbreakable and eternal. Enough said.
Back to the woman........
All hurdles being cleared for the promotion of faith, with no other leading but the "command to pray" we humbled ourselves before our God and prayed in the name of Jesus for healing.
Upon the end of prayer we gave thanks then blessed and left.
Elise and I hadn't traveled very far when a text came in that she was standing out of her wheel chair and ringing for the aid to witness that she was able to walk on her own. Praise God who is the Savior and provider for all our needs. He loves to show himself "mighty" on our behalf. Thereby validating her testimony that she had been speaking during her stay.
Back to the barber:
Having shown all this forward to the barber I asked if he would mind that prayer be made for him an another man there waiting who had cancer with no hope of intervention of man.
We formed a circle in the shop and prayed "in the spirit" not knowing God's will.
Yesterday I went back for another hair cut and he announced that he was healed of his infirmities. The other man hadn't been back yet. The barber now has greater faith and God is good.
Summary:
You won't always sense the "anointing" to do the will of God, but you will always have the "commands and promises" to be obedient to.
You won't always hear the voice of God to "speak what you hear Your Father in Heaven saying" but you will always have the "commands and promises" to be obedient to.
You won't always be going down a path well traveled by yourself or others, not to fear if "it is written" than you should apply it.
You won't always know the outcome of what you pray for, but you will know it after you pray remembering that "it's Gods will you are seeking, not your own!"
Remember that do "everything in Love" (capital L in love because God is Love) for everything done in Love is done in God.
Remember that "to learn in your heart" the Word of God is to give God's Word it's rightful place.
The carnal mind will forget but the spiritual heart will always have the Holy Spirit to "teach us and remind us of all things that He (Jesus) has said and done."
Have faith children. Seek real meat in His Word. Eat bread that "the others know not of."
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Love
J&E in Tn