Dirty or Clean!

The world has a strange way of classifying each one of us. Sometimes the terms dirty and clean are used for this descriptive purpose. When someone declares another to be dirty they could be referring to many aspects of that person's life. Looking on the outside, they could determine that the person needs a bath because they are filthy physically. They could be speaking of one's language. Jesus said it is not what enters the mouth that defiles a man but the things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart and they defile a man (Mt. 15:17, 18). So one could be using offensive language that could be deemed dirty. God is very concerned about our outward appearance but not as much as He is concerned about our inward condition. We definitely need to be concerned about both ourselves, but without being judgmental of one another.

This brings us to a very pertinent question, “Are you dirty or are you clean when referring to your inward or spiritual side?” Why is it that so many people struggle with answering this question? Surely you know if what you are doing is pleasing or not pleasing to God.

Many folks today see themselves as being very clean in the eyes of God. Why do they feel this way? It could be due to the fact that they are comparing themselves with other human beings. If so, this makes it very easy for them to choose others who fall way short of the mark, in order to make themselves look much cleaner. Cleaner than others doesn't mean clean in the eyes of God.

God looks where? On the heart! We all fall very short when we start to compare ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He is perfection! Jesus knew the heart of Judas when He made this statement, “You are not all clean” (John 13:11). When He declared that one of them would betray Him, they started examining themselves wondering which one of them it could be. Peter had to ask, “who is it?” Just because we look clean on the outside does not mean that we are clean on the inside. We can be so defiled on the inside that we can never gain a spiritual cleansing. Have you been spiritually cleansed by the blood of the Lamb?

In Christian love,

Dancing with God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,

I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,

and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,

both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back

or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.

It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,

and attentiveness from one person

and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".

"God, "u" and "i" dance."

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust

that I would get guidance about my life..

Once again, I became willing to let God lead...

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings

and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.

May you abide in God, as God abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead

and to guide you through each season of your life.

And I Hope You Dance Through 2010

Unknown

In Christian love,

Eddie

Cultural Degeneration

What is happening to our cultures? Do you remember when folks used to be able to leave their house doors unlocked at night? Your windows could be opened wide knowing that your belongings were safe. You could even leave your keys in your car's ignition without fear of it being stolen. Remember when you didn't have to know where your children were at all times during the day. Some would say those were the good old days and most of us would solemnly agree, especially us baby boomers.

Our cultures have changed so drastically that we are even afraid to go outside after dark for fear of losing our lives. It is easy for us to blame our law enforcement by claiming they are not doing their jobs, but would that be entirely fair? The sad truth is that this might be just the beginning of our woes. In the past we had opportunities to speak up and we remained silent. Our silence has allowed prayer to be taken out of the schools and now taking “In God We Trust” off of our currency. What's next? Are we going to be branded with numbers on our foreheads or have detection devices implanted under our skin? When do we say, enough is enough? Sooner or later we are going to have to make a stand.

God will not allow nations to go unpunished who have turned their backs on Him. Rightly so! He is God Almighty and deserves to be worshipped by all of His creation. The Old Testament is full of examples where the Israelites forsook God and He brought them under submission by captivity or sometimes even death. We surely don't want either of those attention getters!

Any culture can be renewed but it will have to begin with outstanding leadership that has its focus entirely on God. People follow people and hopefully God's will, for the good of the people, will be accomplished at the polls so that we can get back on tract to being a godly nation once again. Amen? We must be willing to do our part as well in order to make the system successful. Are you willing to do your part? No matter how tough it gets? Cultural degeneration can easily be turned into cultural regeneration if we the people truly desire it.

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14

God's Blessings!
Eddie