Forbid them not! A Father's love.

Children are so precious to God.

And all throughout history we see a theme of child abuse and murder.

Long ago, children-sacrifices was very common. They were offered to appease certain gods.

But the True Living God is not pleased. He loves children.

Several times He mentions this in various ways.

“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 18:10 NKJV

He even says, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” Matthew 18:3-5 NKJV

Since when did it become ok for us to determine that it is ok to break God’s standard and abuse the children He loves?

We think we have rights to do this. But God doesn’t say that. Man says that. The World preaches that.

This little blessing in my womb is so small and grows every day. I feel her move. I’ve felt her kick. I can feel her heartbeat when I put my hand on my belly.

I could feel her heartbeat when someone said I was only 5 weeks. I was probably a little further along.

Regardless, I am a mom. The moment this baby was conceived I became a mom.

I love this baby. But my love isn’t even an ounce in comparison to the love that God has for this precious little girl.

Do we think that God as a the Father will not defend His precious babes?

Do we think because we are older that we are more important or something?

How do the decisions we are making today here going to show the love of God to children?

And God loves everyone. Lord Jesus died for the sins  of the whole world. But darkness loves sin and hates the light.

Come into the light! Don’t stand in darkness.

From a Mother to the rest of the world, this is Food for Thought.

“But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 NKJV

"Cut if off!"- Say What???

CUT IT OFF!!!


Have you ever read or heard of the story in the Book of Matthew 18 where Jesus is speaking to His disciples and tells them, "So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away." ?

Whoa! What does that mean? Was Jesus being literal? Some may have thought so.

At one point, as recorded in the Book of John, Jesus says that it is necessary to eat His flesh and drink His blood!

This was a hard saying that caused many to turn back from following Him.

But what else does Jesus say about cutting something off?

Matthew 18:7-9

"What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.

So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, CUT IT OFF AND THROW IT AWAY.

It is better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet.

And if your eye causes you to sin, GOUGE IT OUT AND THROW IT AWAY. It's better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell."

(NLT, Caps for emphasis)


WHOA! Sounds kind of harsh? But was Jesus being literal?

Now before you get any ideas and start doing something you shouldn't take some time to understand something.

God hates sin!

God loves people.

It is not His intent that we start chopping off body parts and gouging out eyeballs.

But take a moment and think about what Jesus is saying.

If I used my hand to do something against what God intended, thus disobeying God, aka sinning against God, and my hand was cut off, could I use that hand to do that same action again?

No! I wouldn't have a hand to do so.

In the same way, if a man lusted after a woman with his eyes and thought, "Man, she's hott. I just have to have her." In the same way, if he lost his eyes and couldn't see anymore, he wouldn't be able to look at a woman and do what he just did.


When Jesus says to "CUT IT OFF", He's calling everyone to repent, to turn away from their disobedience toward God and do what is right. And to do so with a sincere heart change so that it is like as if your hand, foot, eye, whatever, was literally gone! If it's gone, it makes it harder for you to fall back into that particular sin.

So, yes, cut it off and gouge it out. But not literally. Jesus is speaking spiritually. A heart change.

Otherwise, we'd be mute, blind, and have many missing body parts.

"For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard." Romans 3:23 NLT

"If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:8-9 NLT

"Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live." Ezekiel 18:23 NLT

Thorns

Lukewarm.

It's a word many if not most of us have heard at one point or another.

It's an adjective that describes the character of a person.

It has negative connotation.

And it has gotten to the point in which the adjective has so overtaken the noun (its subject) that it is literally chocking all faith from that individual.

The sad thing is that many are lukewarm, but don't know it.

Perhaps deep down they do.

Or perhaps they don't know what that word really even means?

A person can go to church, read the bible, pray occasionally, do good works and be Lukewarm.

Strange right?



In the Parable of the Sower that Jesus taught, he mentioned four kinds of soil. In this case I am addressing two: the thorny ground and the good soil.

But the difference between soil with weeds and soil that has no weeds is the heart of that soil, the heart of that individual.

If you had to lay everything down and walk away from it forever, would you?

What matters most to you? Who or what do you love most and can't live without? Where do you find your happiness, value, security, joy, hope?

The simple answer that every Christian (well, every person who calls themselves that) knows is Jesus.

But is Jesus your answer? Really and truly?

If your bank account was depleted and you didn't have a job anymore, would you still have peace? Joy? Faith? Hope?

Is your phone everything to you? Coffee? Friends? Family? Facebook? The internet? Sports? Movies? Celebrities? Politics? Career? School? Dreams of the future? That past hurt you can't let go of? Are any of those everything to you? What about your boyfriend? Girlfriend? Spouse? Child?

Are you everything to you? Looks? Food? Lust? Music? Your reputation? What you consider is your right to control?

If Jesus came to you and said you have to make a choice between all of that, your bubble, the world you've made around you, or HIM, who would you choose?

Who is your everything? Who is your smile? Who is your hope?

A Christian by definition is a Follower of Jesus Christ.

It is someone who has a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.

Jesus said,  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another." (John 15:12-17 ESV)



Indeed, faith is more than believing. It has life in it. At least it should if it is genuine.

But a plant being chocked by weeds struggles to live.

It can't do what it was meant to do.

It needs to be free to grow and bear fruit, produce, become more.



Lukewarm. A term that is heard of, but not always understood.

I was Lukewarm once. Then Jesus came with Authority, Love, Gentleness, Truth.

Who do you love? Who do you choose? Who do you love more, Jesus or everything else?

"For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeits his soul?" -Lord Jesus    Mark 8:36 ESV

Has the World gone mad? What's in my food?

Doughnuts, Potato Chips, French Fries, Fried anything, Fish, Organic, Non Organic, Reese's Peanut butter Cups, etc.

FOOD! FOOD! FOOD!

Is it safe? What are we putting into our bodies? And what's the deal America?

Chemicals are everywhere, and not just under our bathroom sinks next to the toilet paper. How can we escape them?

Hydrogenated Oils

Food Coloring

Antifreeze in Bread?

Fake Sugar (I'm talking to you Stevia, Sucralose, Asparteme, etc.)

And a bunch of stuff we read on labels (if we read labels): TBHQ (antioxidant? preservative? poison?), (GMO) corn syrup, BPA, Calcium Sodium EDTA?

What are we eating? And why?

I only recently came across how huge this all really is in investigating a fast food chain that is super popular and super questionable.

Suffice it to say I will leave them anonymous for now. Do your research on fast food though and you'll quickly see there are many culprits out there.

Who doesn't like a burger and fries? Or some chicken all nicely prepared and fried?

But is there more to this than just food?

Dimethylpolysiloxane 

(ps-Formaldehyde is in that!)

What is that crazy huge, hard to pronounce word? Dimethylpolysiloxane.

It's an anti-foaming agent put in lot of products including, make up, food, silly putty, some sealants, etc. 

Sure the percentage of it allowed in food by the FDA is very limited.

But what happens when we slowly put something that doesn't belong in our bodies over a stretch of years? 

I'll tell you one thing: It cannot be good!

Before you grab that snack off the shelf, do some research on those hard to pronounce ingredients, or really long ones that were condensed into smaller letters like TBHQ. You'll be shocked!

But don't do what I did. Don't panic!

In this day and age and where we live, its hard not to eat something that wasn't sprayed with a chemical at one point or another. But take heart. Healthy choices are still out there. Portion control and knowing what to completely avoid (soda has no benefits at all and are reeking with GMO corn syrup), that's what counts.

So, enjoy that doughnut on Sunday. Just don't go home and eat a whole box of them. 

You'll do fine.

From one mom to another, this is Food for Thought.

Back to it

Never quit.

I must admit that it has been a long time since I was here. The reason being is that someone said something that discouraged me to return. But we can't let discouragement and fear keep us from using the talents that God has given us. People spend years trying to find out what they are good at, what their potential is, what they want to do. I thought I knew what I wanted to do. But I never knew what it all meant until 2012 when I was brought back home. Like a lamb that had gone astray, the Good Shepherd came calling. I had a lot to learn.

They say, "Don't kill the messenger." But that doesn't help the messenger feel all that better I think. Still a message is something that needs to be said, especially if the messenger has been sent by a King! And truly I have been sent. I have been running a long time much like the story of Jonah who ran away. Not because I didn't want someone to be saved from God's wrath. No, but out of fear of not being heard. But when God sends us out, we are to go. Lord Jesus is the King of Kings and I follow Him. I'm a writer and I have a message. There is hope. Christ is that hope.

In a short hour it will be Easter Sunday. And soon the sun will come back up to start the day once more. Kids will be looking for signs that the Easter Bunny had come. Some will be getting ready for church in their Sunday Best. Breakfast will be served. Family has arrived already or is on the way. And the message of the Resurrection will be told once more. But life isn't just at Easter. Hope isn't just at Easter. It continues.

Every day is a day to celebrate life. That is if you have it! It's in Christ Jesus! He is Risen from the Dead! And for those who believe with a faith that is alive, know that Hope and have that Life. It is a free gift that cost a great deal. Blood was shed. Innocent blood. Lord Jesus, God in Flesh, died and became a curse to set the captives free. He became a curse so we could receive the greatest blessing of all: Him! Life, Redemption, Forgiveness, Peace with God, Hope!


Happy Easter!

"But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. 

He was whipped so we could be healed." Isaiah 53:5 NLT

After Christmas Special: Part One

After a long season of varies activities and much excitement an interviewer for a local newspaper came brewing into town looking for what would be another story. Not having much of a scoop to go on, he somehow felt this was the place to be; he was drawn on a hunch to drive outside of the hustle and bustle of the nearby city and into the suburbs. It was there where he met an interesting character and thus the interview began.

Interviewer: Hello, I noticed that you have some interesting items here with you. I'm part   of the local paper. May I ask what these items are for?

Anonymous: Hello and Howdy-do ya!

Interviewer: (I noticed this particular person had an excitable nature which made           everything all the more curious.)

Interviewer: So what are you up to today, if you don't mind my asking? My name is           Paul, by the way, Paul Peterson.

Anonymous: Hello Paul. It sure is a nice day today, isn't it? It's...It's fantabulously beautiful. I'm here on a mission, Paul. You see Christmas is over. All the trees have gone to the fire. Tinsel is stuffed in garbage bags along with old ripped up pieces of wrapping paper. But the spirit of Christmas isn't dead, Paul. And I'm going to make sure people know about it.

Interviewer: How do you plan on spreading Christmas cheer? I mean it's almost Valentine's day. Isn't it time to just move on to the holiday of hearts and romance?

Anonymous: There you go, Paul. You're right on the money there. It is the season of love, my friend. But it began long before Feburary. That's why Christmas and the message of it needs to be declared all the more. Don't need a whole lot of distractions, Paul. That's what happens. We get sucked into an idea of what love should be and lose sight of the reality of the desperation of it and free gift too.

Interviewer: Free gift?

Anonymous: Yes, the Free Gift. Love is much more than romance novels and chocolate candy. It is deeper and brighter than candlelight. And it is for everyone. Not just couples. And that's why we are here, Paul.

Interviewer: What do you mean by, "Why WE are here?"

Anonymous: That's right, Paul. Not just us. Everyone. If there was no love then no one would have hope. Yep. And Christmas is a huge start of really seeing that love in the deepest way. And it goes further still.

Interviewer: Am I right to assume you are a religious man?

Anonymous: Religious? Well, that depends on your viewpoint. I'm not some religious person bent on following a rule book in order to please some God. I can't do that even if I tried. And that's what is so cool, Paul. Love so rich established it, made a bridge to the greatest relationship and love that ever was, is, and will be. Are you excited Paul? I know I am!

Interviewer: I can't say I'm fully following you I'm afraid. What does this all have to do with what you are carrying in your arms?

Anonymous; Well, I'll tell you, Paul. What I have in my hands is the message of Love. It is what I plan on sharing with people wherever I go. If I had the money I'd plaster it on a big billboard on the I-90. You know, the really busy one always in heavy traffic. That way tons of people would see it and have time to see it and then, perhaps, they too will receive the message of LOVE.

Interviewer: So, where are you headed then? Obviously you have a plan for all these...tools?

Anonymous: Tools? I guess you could call them that. But come this way, friend. This is all getting heavy with us standing here. Besides I'm on a mission, friend. If you'd really like to see what is up, come with me.

Interviewer: I had no reason not to follow the man. But part of me could hear bells of warning going off that I was entering into a "mission" with a nut-job.

Interviewer: Alright. Let's go.

Anonymous: That's it, Paul. Be open-minded. You may find yourself quite happy to see what I'm up to. Let's go. This way.

Interviewer: As I followed him we left the park and there by the road was an old beat up truck with, believe it or not, a wheel barrel, and an old fashioned lawn mower. To this he added the following implements that he had been carrying: a flashlight, a massive bundle of lights all strung together, a couple of trash bags, some kind of paint, a bible, work gloves, and a trowel. What in the world does this guy have planned? And is it even legal???

To be continued....

Opinion of Opinions

Everyone has an opinion about something it seems.

When something is wrong I dare say there are those who are ready, willing, and perhaps eager to "raise their hands high in the air waiting to be called on." I used to be like that. Perhaps I still am. But just because we have opinions or you might say pieces of wisdom probably based on experience via self or someone else, or based possibly on book (or these days internet) knowledge, just because we have these words, that we are so quick to pass on to someone else who looks helpless and in need of such grace, this doesn't mean we are correct in doing so.

What's wrong with having an opinion?

Nothing.

What's wrong with assumption?

Many things.

If we begin with assumption before passing on "our great knowledge" we may only cause harm rather than good.

Opinions are not bad. But they are not always correct. And just because you have experienced something that seems so similar to this person who is "in dire need", this does not automatically mean that your said advice pertains to this individual. I have been on both sides of this equation.

No, opinions are not bad. But it is this opinion that one should not be so quick to assume that "said advice" is truly the wisest kind. Going to other people for wisdom, for opinions, for advice, is not in itself wrong. But be careful. Don't be so quick to jump into the boat. People aren't perfect. God is.

It seems silly to bother with speaking on the problems of sharing opinions too quickly, especially since doing so is just another opinion. Who's to say this opinion is not also jaded? To this I say, before going to other people, or "sources" of this kind, go to the Wisest of All, Lord Jesus. He is the One who Understands. He has the wisdom you seek.


-Food for Thought MLC

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." Proverbs 9:10 ESV