Sometimes, Thinking Hurts!

Writing, as a process, is thinking.

Thinking, random thoughts or focused ones,

Sometimes leads to deeper thoughts.

When I think, I write.

When I write, I think.

Some days, my thoughts are clear.

Some days, my thoughts are cloudy.

I can look at the sky and think about God.

I can look at a newborn and think about God.

I can look at flowers and small creatures and think about God.

I can look at an ocean and think about God.

I can look at a mountain and think about God.

Then, I look at what our society is and think,

How did we ever get so far, from thinking about God?

Does God want us to kill and rob?

Does God want us to hate for no reason?

Does God want us to abuse children and the elderly?

Does God want us to sit back and do nothing–

Never speak of the evils of this world and who’s behind them?

When we speak, do we speak Truth as God sees Truth?

Or do we speak, a politically correct truth that has nothing to do with Godliness?

When we lie, do we not understand that lying is the influence from Satan?

When we kill and destroy people or property, do we not see Satan’s influence?

When we hate people–for no other reason than they are different,

Can we not see Satan’s influence?

If our relationship with God is right, we’ll think as He instructed,

And seek to help those in need and take care of families.

If our relationship with Satan is maintained,

We shall soon cease to exist, since his goal is to destroy mankind.

With all that is going on in the world,

With all the thoughts that bombard my mind,

Sometimes, thinking hurts.

But then, I write, and write, and write.

 

God help us to align our thinking with Yours that we might do what You would do in any situation, guided by love.

Advertisement

50 Questions for the Weekend

Morning Story and Dilbert

This post may take multiple cups of Coffee….

When you have a little spare time to think, review these interesting and thought provoking questions! Then if you still have a little more spare time, share  your thoughts, answers, and questions!

1. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
2. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
3. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
4. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
5. Does love equal sex?
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
9. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right…

View original post 483 more words

Know Who You Serve!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism” (Colossians 3:23-25).

There are times in this life that we forget who it is we really are called to serve.  Notwithstanding that when we work at a job, or for a career, we usually work to pacify “man” or the corporation for whom we work.  Even in that capacity, our approach to doing a job for pay should be done as “unto The Lord” so we can expect a reward and not just a paycheck.

Think about it!  How many times have people gone to work with a poor attitude and did their work halfheartedly?  How many times have people gone to work late and then get an attitude when they are admonished about their attendance?  How many people take far too much time for breaks and lunches and then get frustrated when they don’t complete their tasks for the day?  How many people “steal” from their employees and then attempt to justify the theft? How many people think they deserve a promotion and more pay when they have not been diligent or as productive as they need to be in the position they have and then get angry with a manager or supervisor because they are always overlooked?

Some people think they deserve positions and pay simply because they suffer from the delusion of entitlement.  Some think they deserve positions because they know somebody who knows somebody.  And some think they deserve positions because of family connections, even when they are not qualified to do a job.

On our jobs, within our families, in our communities and wherever else we may be; we must remember that whatever we do, we should do it as unto The Lord and do it to the very best of our ability.  Our rewards, ultimately–come from The Lord.  It is He who touches the heart of those supervising us. It is He who gives us favor with people we don’t even know.  And it is He who also sees everything we do and will allow the consequences of our actions to fall upon us–good or bad.

In order to make sure we always receive God’s best, we should always do our best in serving Him and others.  “Be not deceived!  God is not mocked.  He sees and knows all and when we think no one else is watching, He is!”  Serve The Lord with joy–smile, seek means to do extra to help someone else and watch Him work on your behalf. 

Father, help us to understand what true service is to You so we can be better at serving You through all we do.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen!

Battlerama–Super Tweens To The Rescue

The good news is–people are reading it and enjoying it!  Parents are saying–“excellent motivation”.  Kids are saying “fun, awesome.” What do you say?  If you haven’t read it, give it try and then share the good news with others.  http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M.-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ

Fun, Fantasy where all learn that love is the key to life!

He Will Do It!

“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19 NIV)

I’m beginning to think that the reason many people do not believe God or in His existence is because they tend to think of Him in “human” terms.  They try to bring God down to man’s level of thinking, giving Him some of man’s attributes, and then thinking God will respond to situations like man will. They do not understand that God is Spirit and therefore not subject to the limitations of man–physically, emotionally, or mentally. Hallelujah!  I’m so glad He is not like us!  We are so fickle-minded, we change what we do and think in a heartbeat.  We lie to one another, seldom keep promises; especially to children and then we wonder why our lives are such a mess.

God won’t lie to us because truth and integrity are part of His attributes.  He won’t change His mind because He has no need to do so.  He can see far beyond what we can even think and He has already determined how things should be and the consequences of our actions. What He does, is for our good.  Every good parent wants only the best for their children and they plan for their children’s future. God is my “Daddy” and I know that His plans for me are designed to prosper me and not to harm me that I have a future with hope and a promise fulfilled (Jeremiah 29:11 paraphrased).  What He says, He means–He will not change His mind about what He speaks.  What He promises, He will make sure it happens.  When we receive His promises is entirely up to us--when we obey!

God is love!  Love has no desire to harm or disappoint or discourage.  Love comforts, chastises, encourages, motivates, inspires, and holds onto us even when we don’t deserve it.  That’s love!

Hold onto His promises, obey His Word, and watch how He works.  Whatever He has promised, He will bring it pass.  He will do it!  Hallelujah!

 

Why We Have Laws!

“We know that the law is good if one uses it properly” (I Timothy 1:8 NIV-Read through v. 16).

In this letter (passage of scripture), Paul is mentoring Timothy to help him in his ministry. Apparently, Timothy has run into some people who want to hold him accountable to the letter of the law given before by Moses, but Paul has taught Timothy about grace–God’s unmerited, impossible to earn–favor.

Think back for a moment.  How many laws govern this land?  Why were the laws written?  It is important to note, that the laws governing most countries are written because of the things that people have done or could do that infringes about the rights of others. Remember the “wild, wild west” in the US?  Everyone had a gun and did exactly as they wanted to do.  Why did townspeople create positions for Marshalls, Sheriffs, Deputies?  Positions/roles of authority were created to control “the lawless” (those without morals or values or understanding or compassion). Are we regressing to the days of the wild, wild west? Lawlessness, where everyone thinks they have a right to do what they want to do, when they want to do it.  Are we yet without morals and values?  Are we yet without compassion and understanding?

As Paul reminds Timothy, laws or rules are good when they are used appropriately.  When laws are twisted to pacify every whim of whatever a person wants to do–creating mass confusion, allowing and promoting immorality, and totally ignoring values that were taught and promoted to maintain a civilized society–lawlessness prevails.  How do we return to a state of being where we can “love”, exercising the greatest commandment or law given so that there is no confusion?

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to recognize our role on an individual basis as a keeper of the law of love and corporately so we have no need to keep writing laws that get twisted and changed at the whim of man’s fickleness.  Help us to seek You so we might know how to live in this world, recognizing each and every person’s rights to live in harmony, without chaos, or fear of what someone might do.  Help us to see the need for love so we might live a peaceable life, having values and promoting morality for all to eradicate the immorality that abides in the hearts of many. Help us to understand and walk in Your favor! Help us to understand and to be grateful for Your mercy! Help us to understand that Your mercy and grace are not to be used as an excuse to be immoral or commit acts against mankind that are not of You! Amen!

Can We Talk?

When I think about all that is going on in our society (the violence, disrespect, fall of educations, parental apathy, general apathy, dispassionate natures of people, etc.) and how things are just not the way they used to be, my heart gets a little heavy. So, can we talk–honestly?

I know that there is no progress (forward movement) without change, but I am wise enough to know that all change does not lead to progress.  When I think about how the term “progressive” is used today in the political arena, I sometimes cringe.  I’ve always considered myself to be a Democrat because of the stance that had been taken to right wrongs and the fight for justice for all people.  But I tend to see myself on the side of some Republicans (not all–especially not those affiliated with the Tea Party and their lack of compassion for people who are not rich) regarding “some” of their Christian views (not the extremists). I cannot say that I am a true “progressive” because I can not support all the issues they promote.

I guess that is truly the problem–there are far too many issues that affect far too many people for me to see myself strictly on one side or another of the political chaos. Now, that I’m writing this, I can see that is the problem–the political chaos.  I know that God is not the author of confusion, so that only leaves one spirit that is.

I would encourage everyone reading today, to search deep within their hearts and to seek the mind of God to help us to determine which direction we should take.  I am concerned that the current trends to “change what God has said to pacify people” is going to have major implications in our society and not just on a political platform.  If we take a close look at the history of man, we will discover that whenever man has openly, rebelliously opposed God, that society or culture ceases to exist. Is this where we’re headed?

In light of all that I see and am bombarded with on a daily basis, I stand on my former premise that I would rather be Godly righteous, than politically correct.  After all, the politicians and the political arena only have confusion to offer and that is not of God.

May God continue to bless us with wisdom and knowledge and direction to avoid the pitfalls of trends and political correctness.

 

Joyful, Patient and Faithful!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

In Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he reminds them about their past and cautions them to care about their present and encourages them about their future. In verses 6-8, he discusses the different gifts that everyone has and encourages them to function in their gift. In this verse, he tells them to have hope with joy and to be faithful in praying for self and others and to be patient when we are afflicted.  Can we be happy while we wait with patience for the hope of our future; especially when we are afflicted by pain or betrayal?  Can we faithfully pray–on a consistent basis–be mindful of the needs of others and not just our own?

I am joyfully waiting with great expectation in the hope and confidence of seeing a prayer answered.  And I boast in the confidence I have in God, daily. Whenever I get a request for prayer from anyone, I immediately pray.  If it is someone on the phone, I pray right then.  If it is someone online, I type a prayer for them and let them know what I have prayed by sending it to them.  When my legs and ankles try to impede my walking, I remind them that they do determine what I do, I determine what they do.  And sometimes, I walk in pain, but I don’t let it stop me.  I know of some people who are in constant pain who refuse to give up on living or their faith in God.  Hallelujah!  I’m praying for them daily.

When we think about it, seriously, we can do all things that are required of us because He has equipped us to do all things well. Are we going to do it?

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for all who have yet come to terms with a decision for You.  I pray that in the light of hope, they will see a need to accept all You have to offer with joy in their hearts and will make a decision to live for you, no matter what.  I pray physical comfort for all those suffering in pain, but yet live for You.  Relieve the pain from nerve conditions, joint conditions, skin conditions, muscle aches and whatever else might assail those who love You. I declare it done for all who will receive the gift of healing right now.  Amen!

 

Battlerama is Live!

Battlerama Super Tweens To The Rescue is now live on http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M.-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ!  Read and Enjoy!  Don’t forget the review!

Become The Magnifier!

“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3).

Most of us (those over 60 years old) have had an opportunity to use a magnifying glass at one time or another.  In fact, if we wear bifocals or use reading glasses, their job is to magnify (help us see clearly) what we see when we read print that is too small for our “unaided” eyes to see.  Magnifying works!  We can see small print and continue to enjoy reading!

If magnifying the print works well for us to read, how much more would magnifying God help others to “see” Him for who He is?  Didn’t Paul say, “we are epistles read of men?” So, what are they reading when they see us? Are we magnifying the One we say we love or are we magnifying the one who hates God? Time to think!

When you finish thinking, “magnify The Lord with me” and let us together help others see, just how good God is, just how great a provider He is, just how awesome He is, just how merciful He is, just how wonderful a healer He is, just how forgiving He is, just how loving He is!  Magnify Him wherever you go, whenever you get a chance–let your lifestyle magnify The Lord on a consistent basis.