My Perfect Wife

My wife Kathy is not the perfect wife, but she is “my perfect wife”.  “Ahh, how cute”  you are thinking.  “He is such a sweet husband to say that.”  I don’t think you understand.  I do not mean that as something nice and cute to say about my wife.  It is not meant to be hyperbole, but a statement of fact.

How can someone be perfect?  It is impossible of course unless God is involved.  He can take an imperfect woman and make her my perfect wife.  Kathy still makes wrong decisions at times.  She does not love me in ways I want every single moment of the day.  She doesn’t peel my grapes as fast as I would like.  She is not the perfect wife but she is the greatest gift, outside of Jesus Christ Himself, that God has given me; my perfect wife.

My number one desire in life is to be like Jesus.  Everything else is secondary.  Kathy was given to me to help me become the man of God which I was designed to be.  Everything about her helps me to grow spiritually.  All of her positive, Godly traits; as well as her negative,ungodly traits.

Kathy is a great cook.  If you come to our house for dinner you would find a home cooked meal from scratch.  Many of the ingredients could be freshly picked from our garden.  It taste heavenly and there is always more then enough.  We do not eat frozen dinners in our house.  The microwave is only used to warm up leftovers.  Even popcorn is cooked on the stove in a sauce pan and real butter is poured on top.

She is such a great cook that I am now on a diet.  I have lost almost 20 lbs and hope to lose another 20.  I am learning about self control from my wife.  Thankfully she helps and doesn’t cook as much or as fattening foods as she se to.  Still great food which I could stuff myself so full of I would look like a candidate for “The Losers” TV reality show.

Her good traits help me learn godly traits.  I won’t speak of anything bad she does (very few to mention anyway) but let me just say she is not perfect.  Those negative traits are wonderful for me.  God gave her to me, negative traits and all, because everything about her helps me to grow.  God works miracles in my life using Kathy’s flaws.  I could get frustrated and mad at her but God uses all that to make me more like Him.

Yesterday was Kathy’s birthday which caused me to think about her and thank God for her.  She is perfect for me.  I would never want to marry anyone else.  I wouldn’t even want her as my wife without her imperfections.  It is her, as she is, that makes her my perfect wife.

My Refuge, My Fortress: My God.

“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” Psalm 91:2

For those who dwell in the secret place, (see previous post on Psalm 91:1) God is their refuge and fortress.  It is Him that they will go to in times of trouble.  When the world seems to be falling apart, they don’t go to God as a last resort but as their first and only solution.

I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease a little over a year ago.  I was rather stunned when the doctor told me the diagnosis.  I knew it was a possibility but I didn’t really think it would be PD.  The doctor told me it was the beginning stages and if it got worse we could see about medications to help me cope with the symptoms.

I left the room in a slight daze.  What could I do about this?  This was not a curable disease.  I was going to get worse and not better.  At this point my hands didn't greatly trembling like some with PD do, but would I get worse so that I couldn't do things myself?  Do I really want to tell others and have them feel sorry for me?  What would they think? I had all sorts of questions and fears.

As I walked to the car I mentally stopped and looked to the lord.  “Jesus, I don’t know what to do.”

I then realized that He was there with me.  He had always been there with me.  He was not surprised by the diagnosis like I had been.  He knew more about PD than the doctors did.  He also knew what my future held.  He held my future in His hands and I had nothing to fear.

By the time I got to my car, I knew I would be alright.  I didn’t care what the doctors said because God was my primary physician.  They might not be able to heal me but He can.  I would leave it all in his loving hands and not worry about it.

So what does my future hold? I don’t know but I am not worried about it.  I only want my lord to use me, PD and all, for His glory.  If God can use the Parkinson’s to make me more Christlike, then that is what I want.

God is my fortress and refuge.  I will trust Him in this situation and not medications, doctors or anything else.  It doesn’t matter if PD should eventually bring the worse into my life, I will still trust and praise Him.

Photo Credit: "Trust in the LORD..." ~ digital paint effect by Sharon

Finding the Secret Place

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1

I have always loved secrets.  Secrets inherently have a power for those who know them.  When I was a child I loved to hear peoples’ secrets.  When I grew up and was in the Navy, and later in the CIA, I enjoyed the fact that I was able to know things others could never know. 

The Bible speaks of different secret places but this one, found in Psalm 91:1, seems to hold the secret to a power we should all desire.  Where is this mysterious place located?  How do we find it?

The blessings spoken of in verse one, and the following verses, are not for all believers.  It is written to all believers, but not all believers will dwell in the secret place.  This is a blessing which depends upon the choices of the individual.  Do you really want the blessing?  Are you willing to dwell and not just visit the secret place of God?

The Temple in Jerusalem was for all who trusted God and worshipped Him.  That does not mean that everyone could go into the temple.  The gentiles worshipped far from the temple and the women’s court was still outside the walls where sacrifices where made.  Jewish men could enter closer, but only the Levites could actually enter the main temple and the Court of Priest.

Every day, one Levite man was chosen to go into the Holy Place, but he dared not enter the Holy of Holies where God dwelled.  That responsibility was only for the High Priest who could enter it once a year on Passover.

The secret place is the Holy of Holies.  It is where the presence of God resides.  This is where God’s power is found.  This is where God manifest Himself to the believer who dwells there with Him.

But the Temple was destroyed so how can we dwell there.  And even if it was around, there is no way we could all go there.  We would never be allowed even close to the Holy of Holies.

When Christ breathed his last breath, the curtain dividing the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place was torn from top to bottom.  No longer is God’s presence only for one man, once a year.  God is now calling upon all believers to come into His presence.  There is no more segregation of Jew and Gentile, man and woman.   We are all called into His presence.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

The secret place is available to all who know Jesus as Savior.  You are God’s temple so God’s presence is within you.  He is available to you at any time, in any place.  You just need to call upon Him.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19

The blessing is for all who dwell in His presence.  Those who spend time with God, and seek to know Him.  The believer whose heart is always in touch with God’s heart.  The person who sits in God’s presence and learns from His Spirit is the one who dwells in the secret place.

Does this sound difficult?  It can be very difficult.  But it is really very simple.  Place Jesus first in your life.  Sacrifice time to be with Him. Give God some of that TV time so you can dwell in His presence.  Desire God more then you desire comfort, entertainment and pleasure. What is God’s fellowship worth to you?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Photo Credit: The Ark of the Covenant by  Michael Li

MyT2Save

I believe the Christians living in my county are about to undertake the most powerful venture possible.  This is not just one church, but a coalition of churches and ministries who are bringing their resources together for serving God in the Cedar Rapids area. This group, called Serve the City, plans to pray for every person in Linn county by name, in one year.

This undertaking, called MyT2Save, will consist of 187 prayer partners who will pray out loud 5 minutes a day (one minute per name), 5 days a week, for 50 weeks a year. In one years time approximately 289,500 souls will be prayed for.  What will God do when His people gather to pray?

This is exciting.  God’s people uniting to pray as one for the salvation and growth of every soul in Linn county. Once we pray through the whole list, we do it again and again until Jesus comes.  I expect to see the Holy Spirit moving with a greater power then ever before.

Photo Credit: Day 250 - No More Sorrow... by Rachel Titiriga

Reasons to Rightly Rejoice

Wouldn’t it be thrilling to spend the night laying your hands on people and seeing them healed?  Would you be excited if a demon possessed person was freed when you ordered the demon to leave?  If you reached down to a dead man and pulled him to his feet, alive and well, wouldn’t you be telling everyone about it?

“Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”  Luke 10:20

You have every right to be joyful and excited when God uses you.  The problem occurs when we make these things our destination instead of merely a means to the end.  Our goal is not the spiritual gifts or being able to experience God working in our lives.  Our goals are to be found in eternal fruit.

If you were to be used to bring someone back to life, it would be absolutely awesome.  If that person was able to live another 30 years, but in all that time never accepted Jesus as their savior, what was gained? 

“…rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”  The only true eternal treasure in this world is a soul.  Experiencing God using you is thrilling, but it is hollow compared to a soul coming to know salvation through Jesus Christ.

Photo Credit: GBI Kenisah Praise and Worship part 2_08 by Antonius Prayudiaska

Will the Syrian Trouble Become the War of Gog and Magog?

The situation in Syria is in the news daily.  The world is worried that this could escalate into the war of Gog and Magog, or even Armageddon.  If you are part of those groups, let me just say, “God is in control.”

First off, it is way to early for Armageddon.  To many events have to occur before Armageddon happens.  The Bible has set out in order, events which will happen.  It is safe to say, Armageddon will be a no show for at least a few years yet.

Gog and Magog war is a possibility, but I doubt it.  The countries listed in Ezekiel  38 & 39 does NOT include Syria.  In fact it does not include any countries immediately surrounding Israel.  I would think that if this was the war with Gog and Magog the scripture would list the country that is initiating the trouble.

Another thing that needs to happen before the Gog and Magog war is that Israel has to be dwelling in safety. (Ezekiel 28: 25-26)  I think we can safely say that Israel is not dwelling in safety today.

So will something happen in Israel because of what is happening in Syria?  I think this will be one of the most significant times in the history of Israel.  Israel will have to dwell in safety in order for the Gog and Magog war, so perhaps this present situation will bring about a conflict which will end with Israel once again being the victor.  This time the victory will put an end to the surrounding nations threats and to Palestinian terrorism.  I even think this could make if possible for Israel to build the Third temple.

Does this sound like a far fetched idea?  I guess it is but only from our human stand point. I think many people who talk about fulfilling prophecies are usually deceived, but each day I come to believe more firmly that we are in the very last days.  The tribulation is in sight.  God is moving and it is a wonderful and terrifying sight to see.  I might not have the details all correct, but I think the signs and God’s word point in this direction.

I am writing this only to show you that no matter what happens, you must remember that,  “God is in control.”  This situation does not surprise Him.

Photo Credit: A Syrian man inspects the destruction in his house in the Bab Amro neighbourhood of Homs on May 2, 2012 by Freedom House

Bargaining with God 101

Bargaining with God.  I have tried it.  You have tried it.  Everyone at some time, in some way, has attempted to bargain with God.  We go before God offering, “If you do this for me, I will do that for you.”

Is this wrong?  What is wrong with giving God something we own if He gives us something in return?  Why shouldn’t we give to God some sort of payment for what He does for us?  How can giving God something of ourselves, showing God how desperate we  are for Him to answer our prayer, wrong?

We can even make our bargaining with God sound righteous and good.  “Father God, if you will heal me of this sickness I will go tell everyone of the miracle and how great and loving a God you are. I will say how you are the great physician who healed me of this.  I witness to the world so that they will know you.”

Is that really wrong?  Can bargaining with God truly be sinful?  All we are trying to do is persuade God how much we desire Him to step into our lives and help us.  We are reaching out to Him saying “I am willing to sacrifice this if you will simply answer my prayer.”  That can’t be sinful, can it?

There lived a man on the streets of a large city.  He had no home, but slept in a trash filled alleys.  His clothes were dirty and smelled of urine and cheap beer. All the possessions he owned were held in a three wheeled shopping cart which he pushed around all day.  His meals were half eaten bits of food found in dumpsters behind restaurants.  His body was covered in sores and his health was so bad that he was doomed to die soon.

One day a rich man saw him and felt great compassion on the homeless man.  Out of love for this man in rags, the rich man took him into his home.  The poor man was bathed and dressed in a fine suit.  He was given a suite of rooms to call his own.  He ate healthy meals and was given the medical care he needed.  He was given an allowance and charity work to do where he felt fulfilled and useful. There was no need which was not provided for by the rich man.

The rich man gave out of his love for the poor man.  There was nothing sexual between them.  There was only pure love for the man.  Everything that was given was out of that love and nothing was asked for in return.

One day the poor man went to the rich man and said, “If you would give me a car, I would be so grateful.  I will give you 10 percent of my allowance back to you and tell everyone how generous you are to provide me with a car.  I will even put in more hours of work if only you give me this.”

The rich man gave a heavy sigh.  “Is there anything you need which I have not provided? The clothes on your back, the home you live in, the work you do, the money you spend and even your own life is due to the love I have shown you.  Is there anything you have which is not from me?

“I only expect you to love me and others you meet in return.  There is nothing else you can give me because all you have is mine.  You can not buy my love.  To bargain with me is to say that my love is only worth this much.  Is my love for you only worth a few dollars or a few hours of work?”

How much is God’s love worth to you?  What are you offering Him so that He will show His love to you?

Photo Credit: Comfortable by juicyrai