"That's not fair!" Somebody, somewhere is probably crying these words right now. Somewhere in the soul of every man, woman and child is a deep longing for justice, but how do we satisfy our longing for justice in such a broken, often morally deplete world such as this? God is faithful to answer... I am enjoying a time of fasting prayer. The Lord is faithful to increase my awareness of His closeness in this season. In particular, the Lord gave me an important lesson, which came in the form of an image of the "scales of justice." It has to do with balancing truth (or "rightly handling the word of truth" ~ 2 Tim. 2:15 ) and grace ("...it is the gift of God...." ~ Eph. 2:8 ) . We have all likely heard the axiom, "Speak truth in love." After all, people do not care what you know, unless they know you care. The word of God (absolute truth) is a two-edged sword and it can hurt the Body if given without healing and saving grace (unlovingly). I aspire to make it a practice in my personal relationships to refrain from confronting anyone with their sin, unless and until I have gone to the Lord and laid my life down once again, repenting of my own sin, surrendering all malice, forgiving the other and humbly asking my Lord's permission and power to speak truth in love. Conversely, I would also be remiss to not do the same prior to offering someone charity and kindness , lest my impure motives spoil what could otherwise be a bountiful harvest. (See Hebrews 10:8-10 .) Imagine, if you will that Jesus sits at the fulcrum of the scales. He is solid, stable, immoveable, strong and secure in that place. The world is represented by the horizontal arms (lever) of the scales. We, as believers in the world, are free to move to, from and across the arms at will. Let's say, for the sake of this illustration that TRUTH resides in the pan suspended from the left arm of the scale and GRACE resides in the right-hand pan. As we move across in the world, seeking to share the truth and grace of God, some are inclined to walk out onto the arm of truth while others are more inclined to walk out onto the arm of grace. Truth-walkers value knowledge most, and grace-walkers value forgiveness more. I submit to you that the safest AND most effective place to "call home" is in the center with Jesus. Only He can keep the scales balanced. As He sends the grace-walker out, He will send a truth-walker out also, keeping the scales of the Kingdom perfectly balanced. In some instances, the grace-walker and truth-walker are one in the same person. Our Lord keeps the Church centered on Him and in balance for the most beneficial, effective and fruitful work of His ministry. He does this in the eternal, meaning He is not bound by time and space. The danger for individuals comes when one does not find center and rest in Him: learn His ways, move in His strength and wait for His timing. You see, I believe our relationship with God is moment-by-moment. Let us not get so caught up in our own interpretation of the vision that He has placed on our hearts and minds, so as to lose balance and fall right off, rendering ourselves ineffective for the sake of the Kingdom... ...But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. ~ Hebrews 10:39 Jesus, a pure and innocent man sent by His Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe, willingly took on our sins, suffered, died and was buried, receiving the punishment that we deserved, but could not bear. Three days later, He rose from the dead, overcoming sin and death for our sakes. That's grace! But He did not stop there. When Jesus left Earth to sit at the right hand of the Father, the Holy Spirit was sent to be our comfort and our counselor, guiding us into all truth and empowering us to love God with all our hearts, minds and souls and heal a lost and broken world. That's love!
Happy New Year to all the TFO Farm Journal Readers! For our new year post, I thought I'd do a year in review of 2020. It is a brief glimpse into our personal family life here on the farm. One of the big take-aways that I have experienced as I recalled the events & activities of 2020 is how many new family members (4-legged & two) The Lord has added to our "adoptive" family over the years and how active all these ones are in the ebb-n-flow of our daily lives here on the farm. What amazing blessings all these "Kingdom family members" are to us! (Rather than filling up this journal entry with tons of images and making you sift through all our personal family photos, I decided to just link the photos, so if a particular caption intrigues you, you can just click on the links to view the accompanying pictures.) Enjoy! JANUARY 2020 A new year to remember: 2020. https://photos.app.goo.gl/FgrASXoAJgDJe9uT9 A good one to memorize: https://photos.app.goo.gl/89E4iVAQqM94ipdt5 Thomas and the Birds! "Ack! He got it!!!" https://photos.app.goo.gl/ebzkHGpUpBsMJDWS7 Ahhhh, such great memories of Rosco! He was always up for some lovin' from Mike... https://photos.app.goo.gl/TpmPKo4QYvK8LFgYA The traditional “last day” for Christmas celebrations at TFO is January 7th (Russian Christmas). https://photos.app.goo.gl/4qpHy9CeXgAP7Cwd6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/Va3ZWQiyJqo4PoiE6 Always a good one to remember, especially when you feel like quitting. We have learned that quitting is not an option and Our Father makes sure we do not have to: https://photos.app.goo.gl/NQnGETmwzWPERQ2TA No matter what is going on in the world, we ALWAYS get to eat. Our Heavenly Father makes sure of it! This was one of our weekly Celebrate Recovery home-cooked meals “under construction” at TFO Farm. https://photos.app.goo.gl/kYRsNj1GxMcWWrp17 FEBRUARY 2020 Horse kisses make it all worthwhile. https://photos.app.goo.gl/H2UCXqz43PgTX64W8 Happy, curious sheep. https://photos.app.goo.gl/k76cFouowJFxM3aEA February 2020 was a cold one! https://photos.app.goo.gl/QQ8RURQcstoXoZgr8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/EFkfEcjN1ygoAxTu7 Bathroom demolition taking too long! https://photos.app.goo.gl/U5ArHwRNCmVFzeQz5 Encouragement for overcoming the “dead-of-winter” February blues... https://photos.app.goo.gl/feLFceKhiXQswUHe8 Bathroom demolition almost complete. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MUTUXjMwUVq1NDbJ9 Continuing my education with Greg Kersten of The OK Corral where I received a certification in EAL/EAP at Crossroads Corral in Sanford, Florida. https://photos.app.goo.gl/dfRmNjkMhXvWv6Rv9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/xj4fNc2FnoU22cUPA Instructor, Greg Kersten. https://photos.app.goo.gl/HQ1DwMR6wir3qXB37 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/ryG9ZSH981xt1xxJ6 Yep, there was A LOT of this in 2020: https://photos.app.goo.gl/54ApjnWm4xP36CZx7 Winter is a great time to invest in yourself! Always continuing education: https://photos.app.goo.gl/R1 qCKphXETE77g3r5 MARCH Receiving some love via USPS from the Seattle granddaughter, Addison! https://photos.app.goo.gl/ny3B8A2tu6VKkv7M9 Bandi found her forever home at TFO Farm. https://photos.app.goo.gl/MXG5oGNcCWKUhhMw8 The St. Louis grands arrive for their spring visit! https://photos.app.goo.gl/quUEbfQWeUXiApnJ8 Deb visits St. Louis! https://photos.app.goo.gl/bdUV551vW3xF6TwQA TFO bathroom renovation gets underway. https://photos.app.goo.gl/UZrnNPt93TLYhRYk8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/FFLZ3xVckN7PXBTp7 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/JidGEmv1igXdupcS9 CAUTION: Construction zone. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ppmQENrTzAC9e6k86 Keeping recovery and soul health on the top of our priority list... https://photos.app.goo.gl/vJi11dNqnVxpZfo88 APRIL 2020 This verse spoke to us in April! https://photos.app.goo.gl/K8vvMSF4rXL1atgZ8 God provided some much-needed beds, just in the nick of time! https://photos.app.goo.gl/1vtAWquoJwxd2Ngx8 New grands! Wow! A dream come true, but BETTER! https://photos.app.goo.gl/xoewzDyHWw2aw1o69 They lived with us for the entire month of April! https://photos.app.goo.gl/SGFpN7i433tdfvLi6 Getting our alone time and rest at Chapman Dam. https://photos.app.goo.gl/kTvj3o68gSpZxis68 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/eJzxtfwLY7it4Wnc6 , Mike can be so romantic! https://photos.app.goo.gl/9PFaYCgLfLh957uW6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/HqAm5MAtyMAaq6Dj , https://photos.app.goo.gl/oje5P8yMCY6x4roP8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/Be9qnMFMfK54CL2h6 Horsing Around. https://photos.app.goo.gl/YZs77VGtsknxWoyu5 It wasn't all fun & games; sometimes we hurt each other. God is faithful to remind us to be humble and LOVE ALWAYS WINS when we forgive! https://photos.app.goo.gl/dVxiR1knBCAomnAU6 (Puppy is not ours, but we continue to pray for one just like her to find her forever home with us at TFO Farm!) Easter at TFO Farm. https://photos.app.goo.gl/sqZKWpHo1vbekbgv9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/f3jsgk7kZxnAEQcr7 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/xKPiJ7P2pf65u8kL7 We became foster parents and adopted some more grandchildren! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Eet3XnQ2CFW4FA426 Junior is still my bestie beastie. https://photos.app.goo.gl/QPxBRmTgMWwByVXD9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/BWyaUU8P7doEnL7w5 MAY 2020 Our St. Louis family. https://photos.app.goo.gl/67UvxLNUc66tL7UB7 Our St. Louis girls. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Kzz9WErdZo4ugPvLA Our Seattle Chef Addision. https://photos.app.goo.gl/3tuMYFf59SCgJQFJ9 Open PA Rally in Meadville. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Xy4R53sK8mLckD437 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/tPLq7FaC54hV55ou6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/neibWkSWhNxTTsJv6 Just weird, but ok! (I think..?) https://photos.app.goo.gl/2TpUtDmGtvzSTxqN6 A sobering reminder... https://photos.app.goo.gl/at1KV4nZQcatd1xC8 Always, we prosper by inviting Him in... https://photos.app.goo.gl/eTdHNRvXYh9n2aF6A Our niece, Lucia graduated from Fairview High School in 2020! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Exfkb1jgJ4bx3mnCA Junior! https://photos.app.goo.gl/c1pJ72gJAoXEmrTZ8 Meet Bandit's Moonlight... https://photos.app.goo.gl/yNxsfYmpeV9qUpkL9 Bandi after 6 weeks at TFO Farm: https://photos.app.goo.gl/v4pbDbm4iC8T6XBK9 ALWAYS! https://photos.app.goo.gl/pZwhB34ApZ8BtZTV6 Open PA Rally in Harrisburg. https://photos.app.goo.gl/dam2AEYYYLY6zqHi6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/VVvxfQKpoBBC2yTA6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/d3b3c8gv2ePKSrMk8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Cvz6H9GcZgGwn2GA , https://photos.app.goo.gl/DNguyXgTajL5S5UP8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/w8c4A8rgUZpCnyxr6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/Dwd1BmchofB1JRSe9 God says... https://photos.app.goo.gl/rhvozHM2HhMjLriNA My daughter, Julia is severely tested in 2019-20 and love wins her battles for her. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DfYi78vcSgz8UaZR8 Deb's birthday gift from St. Louis fam! Wow!!! https://photos.app.goo.gl/ivn3XBjBwHWJDVgx5 Leek & fiddle-head hunting in May. https://photos.app.goo.gl/UXan7XuymW7Cust5A , https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVXaHEVNfmDbHktK9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/gQgdnJNsTsy3UGcu7 Covid-19 slaps us in the face. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9gcwiHovfVtemLh56 In 2020, we often struggled to even know the truth, BUT for the grace of God, His word never fails... https://photos.app.goo.gl/1VLVatdJfZwLPfzQ8 JUNE Clyde at work doing what he does with the kids. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jt2NtZPZLG4YLssz9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ye7WcJ8h7qVhybq96 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/yPuQZR8FeEpnGbCw9 This pretty much sums up 2020, so far, for us! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jgcv3mxUWRfPMyfi8 Mike survived a heart attack! Praise God!!! https://photos.app.goo.gl/EvC9QqJ6rum3HYDQ9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/cxXk6xMBWjxjHe6j7 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/yYGwvjzvH8yNsbex6 Finally, we can paint! https://photos.app.goo.gl/1Dy2SCDTD3Ap5ZNu7 With the purchase of our 2002 Tacoma, we can now take the canoe out. https://photos.app.goo.gl/4M9DNse81SVffc2ZA , On the Shenango River with friends, Ben/Lynn Z., Silvio M., Paul K., Brandi B. & others. Deb played a lot of early morning tic-tac-toe with her Chinese ESL students. https://photos.app.goo.gl/Cb4mYzrBzQtmhddR7 , I followed lesson plans too. https://photos.app.goo.gl/9xGoK6eWJpCCM39D6 JULY The SECOND baby Robin of the season that fell out of the nest right into Katelyn's hand! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zeu3bDa3ZoXkFJnj7 , Meadville Area Rec. Center fun... https://photos.app.goo.gl/qNS8UFkbzBX5BJz27 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/RaNVVgJ7pqSGokei6 ...with the Cornell's! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ud3XPZK9Kxo2Bzyw8 Rosco! We miss you! https://photos.app.goo.gl/nDD7uHKypYeRnUYM7 Barn cats, Merle & Festus. https://photos.app.goo.gl/cJrErcF4oM6hSkbs5 Clyde took one on the cheek from the big horses. Poor Clyde! The vet was called and 6 weeks later, he was good as new. https://photos.app.goo.gl/wqgavBGUCAQNZNZH6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/uKWjZiJFPdNBWzsr9 Visiting Edinboro Lake with the Missouri kinfolk. https://photos.app.goo.gl/NXAxA6XAERSe4D1v8 Remembering our Washington kinfolk visit from last summer (2019). https://photos.app.goo.gl/1Kt2fgXTRYYxTfJA8 Lucy's grad party. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ctVbij5UjNL1z7vTA Got 'im! These guys are hard to catch on camera. https://photos.app.goo.gl/3TSy9bRi69upSdX58 Visiting Gail & Leslie at Bear Creek, Ridgeway, PA. https://photos.app.goo.gl/pxieCrjkyqLziSbBA , https://photos.app.goo.gl/u614mFtsyFSQy4886 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/EpaBU99eZk9s9x788 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/gJBQ3ct1kewfoY4y8 Thomas. https://photos.app.goo.gl/NC1airunGLoASkyu5 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/iBu1ovsC4u5U3nCC9 Ah, summer at TFO Farm. https://photos.app.goo.gl/cYiQb4Yp9tmyQdt89 Celebrating our independence with fireflies, fireworks & funny sunglasses at New Beginnings Church, Mdvl. https://photos.app.goo.gl/36qvDbr8QUJ7vea67 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tm57CMmGeEWDrBcKA , https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pig7uyD6VSh4SrHX9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/d9TAAN93SqkaVyn68 Who turned 63 in 2020? https://photos.app.goo.gl/v6M5xHGU1QboWsaX7 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/eB6zr5KJ7Ds8wKwt5 AUGUST Another Recovery Connection event. https://photos.app.goo.gl/QiqaBPcUeyFY7LsP9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/qzwWMTKQUcM29XKH9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/Af1bQ145gcuPqmV1A Tried to launch the Foundations of Recovery. TWICE. (CCP effectively delayed our launch 2020, but we got a lot of work done and relationships built. WE WILL TRY AGAIN IN 2021.) https://photos.app.goo.gl/n6TSBD3UEMxZ1rsv7 Trying to eat healthier in 2020. Please pray for me! https://photos.app.goo.gl/JEkxNCYaLTyjBoqm9 The TFO herd, Clyde, Junior and Bandi. https://photos.app.goo.gl/EfuG1HLbvxyiUjx36 Foundation for Recovery at TFO Farm Volunteer Roundup. https://photos.app.goo.gl/HutR7pjPi9bh2w9w6 , The gang's all here... https://photos.app.goo.gl/mBuYi7bB7wgCHhuJ8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/hCcwMmtcQZd51moN9 Lynnie! https://photos.app.goo.gl/qpwuxPJR4jQBGvDV9 Canoeing the Shenango again at a Recovery Connection event... https://photos.app.goo.gl/Vdwc5fs5GKmwJcJF8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/LEjYJWteK67LRmZL8 ...with friends. https://photos.app.goo.gl/LUvDkHznXBEr9neZA , https://photos.app.goo.gl/7wU4mb1j2G6NYr4K6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/J1NhioppLnbiE1hF6 More S.U.D. Training. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ejYdrkixhLGDzoYW7 Canoeing on Sugar Lake with Rosco. https://photos.app.goo.gl/y2PSgWhVMTMQCrQP9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/cDLLBeHLwGRMUQJk9 Canoeing at Pymatuning Lake with my sister, Yvonne. https://photos.app.goo.gl/KCxo9XcvdWMqrAsc9 Dog days of summer on the TFO Farm deck. https://photos.app.goo.gl/SF6jvpoSH2wJ9aESA God always works it out for us – even when we doubt... https://photos.app.goo.gl/KJ3k9xGfqkWcXWUW6 Meeting up with daughter, Julia at the hotel for the grandkids' return trip home to Bridgeton, MO. https://photos.app.goo.gl/4oqp4L1BmyMxar5E8 Bison Park with the grands, Katelyn & Thomas. https://photos.app.goo.gl/jKz9A3HrXKhmkP7KA, https://photos.app.goo.gl/JjJxTqsSAvWY1gpo6 Creation Museum trip! https://photos.app.goo.gl/AZoixinBGnkCRyS88, https://photos.app.goo.gl/fKwL5361G24S9ddMA, https://photos.app.goo.gl/5Jqm17W4Qp5K4CCD7, https://photos.app.goo.gl/PJNQQc2ehXRnCZ9d8, https://photos.app.goo.gl/myb9V9r2U4LSqW7b6, https://photos.app.goo.gl/8XyMvREYvkL3pt689 SEPTEMBER Tragically, Rosco broke his jaw, probably chasing cars. He could not be saved. Here we are in the car on the way to the doggie ER. https://photos.app.goo.gl/xqqcca5v4epM4rwg8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/NnZHFfhERydfEkgLA God son, Toby turned two at TFO Farm. https://photos.app.goo.gl/KpaiZDsz97datswL7 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/eQDAcS9mg8iUcJP67 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/rcH9bwuGWdnHChSX7 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/zotYNuVhLXnSN4HLA , https://photos.app.goo.gl/n3t1NUHLQndssa9p8 Clyde... again. https://photos.app.goo.gl/pJ3BPokESKC4yYtK7 TFO Farm gets some press. https://photos.app.goo.gl/WA4mbZ2PHK6214mdA (This therapeutic horsemanship program did not happen in 2020 as planned due to Deb contracting Corona Virus Pneumonia the week prior to the proposed Foundations of Recovery Program launch.) Ashes to Beauty Conference in Lebonon, MO. https://photos.app.goo.gl/HHMwj6F9e2jiWaGo9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/KPfA249VX8XAAgog9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/8fG35WvJmf6RahY68 Canoeing French Creek. https://photos.app.goo.gl/fmbfbX7smdShR7DC9 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/bN3HTmkmhLruD8bF8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/D5Cf639u3G2pgZuY7 Recovery Connection. https://photos.app.goo.gl/y1adj4JvU9jR6g6p7 TFO Farm Campfire with friends. https://photos.app.goo.gl/pywqPbE8CEiLpo6C8 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/c9EiAg8Puhe33GyS9 https://photos.app.goo.gl/K2fuWDBTmnAkVgVz6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/kDCfyZT1pHa4GxhX7 Our “hipcamper” guests got engaged in our canoe on Sugar Lake! https://photos.app.goo.gl/f2MAyg3tavyAnTSA6 , https://www.hipcamp.com/pennsylvania/too-far-out-farm/too-far-out-farm We waded through a lot of fake news this year! https://photos.app.goo.gl/1DM6EjcM3H3FT6KM8 We celebrated recovery as a community online in 2020. https://photos.app.goo.gl/bhzY54pWjk5ZjZzn6 I participated from my pasture and was honored to be asked to open the celebration with prayer. https://photos.app.goo.gl/7GFH4UcqKDaVP7cA8 OCTOBER Dog sitting (Phoebe) for friends and babysitting our God son, Toby. https://photos.app.goo.gl/cVSBphj6nziu6zoT7 Me and my Missie doing what me and my Missie do when it is 60+ degrees in October! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Sg8S5Xy484haojb6A Another Recovery Connection event. Such fun folks! https://photos.app.goo.gl/NwtTThTJa5tW2FHR6 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/fuuH7b6tHCu7Qbmi6 Words to live by if you want a truly ABUNDANT LIFE. https://photos.app.goo.gl/RaPhVGU2vfNpby1y6 Merle the cat. https://photos.app.goo.gl/HgtY7JRcNLhNdGEu8 More birthdays in our forever family. Lily turned 9! https://photos.app.goo.gl/BxNaCFPZjYs8UChm8 , Sophie turned 13! https://photos.app.goo.gl/XdnZMdinXzFkG9hF8 Clyde again. https://photos.app.goo.gl/DeZDa4QzfiaLnT1i7 This..! https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jh6oGRzNCeY1AjPa9 Deb's sister, Sherry married the love of her life, Dan! https://photos.app.goo.gl/heyrZZ4GkACznLk87 Unfortunately, we could not attend in person, because we were quarantining. https://photos.app.goo.gl/aVxtUM3ECVHsTj7s8 Getting hospitalized for Corona Virus Pneumonia... https://photos.app.goo.gl/7mywt2XaAyhW5qAj9 ...gave Deb plenty of time to re-read a favorite book. https://photos.app.goo.gl/sN3fVSDKvEFEpQCZ7 Mike lived in the driveway while we isolated from one another during my recovery from the virus. https://photos.app.goo.gl/ycjULrd4H879Dcyz7 Here is a link to the book that I like so much, in case you want to buy it from our Affiliate PRODUCTS page: https://www.toofaroutfarm.org/products#RecommendedBooks02 NOVEMBER Nephew Zachary turned 30 on Thanksgiving Day. We wished him well from a distance, as he is one of the more vulnerable ones. https://photos.app.goo.gl/suioM4jHX5hJc9m77 Our Seattle granddaughter, Addison and granddog, Tillie. https://photos.app.goo.gl/YyZP7ryGo7RtsYoG9 ... and my son, Garrett, with his wife, Roxanne (and Addie & Tillie, of course). https://photos.app.goo.gl/cBj7YdQA7jzKqPo69 Our St. Louis family, Jim, Julia, Thomas & Katelyn. https://photos.app.goo.gl/mfdJRDKKWfa9wy9W8 The Christmas Cactus always signals the start of the holiday season. https://photos.app.goo.gl/TTsvDLqRm3hRatbJ7 DECEMBER 2020 A snowy December. https://photos.app.goo.gl/WPcj5SHsakqqc3UV7 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/oNy5FB6WwpmXhAk57 , https://photos.app.goo.gl/EPJ8tptowJgSas3b6 Mike gave me a lovely Christmas gift. https://photos.app.goo.gl/6fKrNxUQShFLAoZ16
Did you ever meet someone who reviles someone else so much that they will not even listen to a word that person says, much less give them thoughtful consideration? Or if the disdain is especially intense, the "reviler" only listens to soundbites or third-party snip-its of the other's words and draws conclusions filtered through their own ignorance of that person's "why" or "how" and becomes indifferent to their opponent and reacts to them with spiteful judgement and without regard for the other's perspective. That person has not love; only indifference. There are some who hold God in this regard. Gone unchecked, prejudice and bigotry begin with misunderstanding, regress to indifference and in some cases explode into violence. Nothing changes if nothing changes until one willing mind opens the way for truth and grace to flow. (See Romans 12:2) That kind of mind renewal requires a conscious decision to think differently. In every interaction we choose either love or indifference. And in the case of a toxic pattern developing in a relationship, we may need to choose self-love for the greater good of the relationship and to bring about much-needed change. That is what God does here: Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. ~Proverbs 1:28 Read that verse in context. Who are "they" and why won't God answer them? Seek to understand why God, who promises to never forsake you*, would say that ? Is God being ambivalent and random in His word? Read the entire first chapter of Proverbs and find out what in the world would cause a good God to essentially ignore ones who diligently seek Him. Go ahead. Read it. I'll wait... What did you learn? Put it in the comments. *Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~Hebrews 13:5
Am I righteous enough for God to answer my prayers? Yes... and no. Apart from Christ, no, but in Christ, YES! Let's assume ALL Christians talk to God. After all, it is one of the perks of being part of the family. Our Dad has an open-door policy and welcomes our daily communion and constant communication with Him. (See Luke 18:1 ) Even some non-Christians seek a divine, all-knowing power to whom they can make their requests known (See Isa. 45:20 ). It is all about the relationship, really! Talking to God is like talking to your spouse or child or parent or sister or friend. It is one of the things that make a relationship, a relationship. What would our relationships feel like if we never talked to one another? Pretty empty, lonely, even non-existent, right? So, we talk to God. We call that prayer. ...and God answers. The Bible says so, right? Well sort of. There is a qualifier - a condition. You will find it here: Ps. 4:3 , and here: James 5:16 , and here: Pro. 28:9 , Isa. 1:15-16 , Mt. 6:5 , and here too: Mark 11:24 . Did you catch that? What is the qualifier God sets for answering our prayers? We must be "godly" and "righteous." I think Matthew gives the best clue about effective praying in the 21st chapter and 22nd verse. Look it up and note what it says, "...if you have faith." The godly and righteous believe. Can we conclude that righteousness, obedience and faith are somehow linked and effectually synonymous or in the very least mutually dependent upon one another? It seems so. According to the writer of Hebrews 11:1, "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." What are those things not seen? In most cases, the "things not seen" are the very things we are praying for, right? We seek God for answers. We seek His voice, His input, His action. This morning I heard something interesting: "If you desire to hear the audible voice of God in your difficult situation (or anytime), try reading the Bible OUT LOUD." "Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (John 8:47) The problem is not that God doesn't speak or guide or light our way. The problem is that we do not often WANT to hear and obey certain things... things like ALL TEN of the commandments. Sure 5 through 9 may seem doable (sometimes, maybe...?), but what about 10 or 1? How about when God tells us that fornication and adultery (sex outside of marriage) are dishonoring to Him? ( 1 Cor. 7:2 ) or telling that white lie? ( 2 Peter 2:1 ) Is one sin any less heartbreaking to God than another? Do we even think about God's heart breaking as we act on some sort of deceit, laziness, lustful desire or greed? We say, "but I am just human." Then we further justify ourselves by saying, "I must protect my pride, satisfy my flesh or fatten my pocketbook dishonestly," BUT... Jesus raises the bar even higher. He says things like what He said in Mt. 5:28 . Go ahead and look it up. [or just click here.] I'll wait. Remember, praying is the divine interaction between man and God. What we often forget is that God gets to be God - ALWAYS. Our conversations with Him go two ways and yet, He is still God. He has our answer, whether we want to listen and take His advice (obey) or not. Did that pinch...? Just a little? Or a lot? There is good news! Jesus lived a perfect life in a human body. He is the only purely holy and wholly pure man to ever walk the earth. His assignment? Jesus, the totally innocent Son of God, WILLINGLY died a criminal's death. Yes, He was willing and He knew that THIS was His purpose on earth. His excruciating and sacrificial act removed from us the weight of sin, then as only God could do, He rose in power from the grave in three days and overcame the penalty for our sin, which is death. ( Romans 6 is a great read!) The good news doesn't end there. Jesus is still praying for those who draw near to God! See John 17:9 and Hebrews 7:25 . He still prays for you and me. He has His Father's ear. After all, He is seated at the right hand of the father in Heaven. Here is what Jesus has told His Dad about us: "The glory which you have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one. I in them and you in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that you sent Me, and loved them, even as you have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which you have given Me, for you loved Me before the foundation of the world” ( John 17:22-24 ). That's right. We are covered. By the Blood of the Lamb. By grace. By God. Simply BELIEVE. Tell me how your prayers have been answered in the comments below. The world needs to know the word of your testimony! "And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." ~ Rev. 12:11 ESV
A life surrendered to Christ means that we are open and obedient to divine course corrections, even when we don't understand.
