Archive | February 2014

SMOKE and MIRRORs

Feb18

It seems to me that God is on a mission to improve me.  Me, Catherine. It’s true!  Because God created me, He loves me just the way I am. However, He loves me too much to leave me the way I am.  I’m a willing subject; I’m not going kicking and scratching (at least not yet).  I’m not even holding on tightly to my pan of Applesauce Bars, the likes of which I can devour in two days!  Or Christie’s Chocolate Sheet Cake that might last maybe three days.  I’ve even avoided the two delicious, glazed original Krispy Kreme™ donuts when the *hot* light is on.

He and I have begun some new and exciting challenges in the beginning of the year 2014. I’ve discovered that not only does He listen to my innermost thoughts and my vocal prayers, He acts on them, in His perfect time.

I’ve never made any New Year’s resolutions, at least none that I recall.  I never saw the point. In my experience, no one I knew kept them, so why bother lying to myself?  If you make New Year’s resolutions, that’s great!  However, I’ve found myself doing some things differently.

God has an almost ‘magical’  way of listening to my prayers, then acting on them and implementing His Plan oh-so-gently.  These changes are not about vanity; they are all for my good, and include better and healthier eating choices and habits, goal setting and better time management. No! that’s a stretch. Delete “better”.. and simply write, Time Management.

I mentioned vanity.  I don’t believe there is anything wrong with wanting to look good, feel good and be happy.  These are innate behaviors among human beings. But there comes a point when the ridiculous just takes over.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?” The Message™ Bible refers to vanity as “Smoke! All smoke”. Another calls it futility!

How about Smoke and Mirrors? Now there’s a mouthful! Deception? Fraudulent? Misrepresentation? Dishonesty? These may be strong words, but are they true?  Think about the ads you see on television for: wrinkle reducer, bust augmentation, hair color, lift up, push out, squish in, rearrange, shave this, cut that. Smoke and mirrors. Vanity of vanities .. all is Vanity.  Thus spoke Solomon and he was counted the wisest of all. 

I once knew a woman who got up early every morning before her husband to put on her makeup and fix her hair. He never ever saw her without her being perfectly groomed; she wouldn’t allow it.  I’ll be the first to acknowledge that I put my ‘best foot forward’ when meeting someone new or going out.  But, REALLY???  Not letting your husband see the real you? (No, the marriage didn’t last).

How does all of this relate in today’s world?  What can we do? I don’t think it’s all that difficult. Jesus taught, and we read in the book of Matthew 6:31-34  “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

 Paul spoke well of this, also, in Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Here is the reality of a life in Christ. When all is said and done, John said is all too well in Revelation 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Take out my name, Catherine, and replace it with yours.  Put YOUR name above in the scriptures and let God show you His perfect way. Please remember that His perfect way is from PURE love and NOT condemnation.  If you ever feel condemnation, run to the nearest exit! do not pass go! That is NOT the voice of God.

Smoke and Mirrors?  Or a life IN Christ? You decide.

 

© 2014 Cat Brennan

All scripture quoted is from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

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And the Angels Might Laugh

Feb11

Angels to the left of me, Angels to the right of me, into the Valley of … oh wait! That was “cannon to the left of them; cannon to the right of them, and into the Valley of death rode the 500!” AND, it’s already been written (Alfred, Lord Tennyson: Charge of the Light Brigade,” first published in 1854). Forgive me sir, I got carried away just thinking about angels.

I love all these little man-made angels that frolic throughout my home, including the magnetic ones on the fridge, made of seashells. I received some darling hand crafted angels from a friend for Christmas that I treasure.  I even have a “sewing angel” who flies above a spool of thread and buttons.   As I sit here at the keyboard, a clever angel flies on the wall above me. She’s made of raffia and perhaps some corn-husk with a fabric “dress” and in her arms is a ‘’bolt of fabric’’.  I think perhaps, my REAL angel looks a lot like that one. A little bit primitive and a whole lot country. Her raffia hair is ‘flying away and her arms tightly grasp that bolt.  

I love angels; the real ones that are one of God’s most wondrous creations and those trinkets mentioned above. We refer to toddlers as little angels; of course, everyone knows that when we hear a bell ring, an angel gets its wings (smile).  Amy Grant sang about “Angels watching over me, every move I make”, there’s angelic behavior and who can forget, Touched by an Angel and “You Are My Special Angel” ♪♪… and all the angels that top out a Christmas tree and others that become delightful decorations.

However, let us not get carried away or form an entire doctrine about angels.  As sweet as it may sound to some, people do not become angels when they pass away; no, not even babies.  Angels were never created for us to worship; as a matter of fact, Angels were designed first to serve and glorify God and to do His bidding.  Hebrews 1:3–6 (The Message)  After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule. Did God ever say to an angel, “You’re my Son; today I celebrate you” or “I’m his Father, he’s my Son”? When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, “All angels must worship him.”

When Jesus was born, the heavenly host rejoiced!  (KJV) Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

An angel spoke to Mary and to Joseph of their upcoming blessed event.

An angel told Abraham that he would be the father of Genesis 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? 

An angel told Sarah (who was older than dirt by the way), that she would have a baby, and Sarah laughed.   Genesis 18:12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, after I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

They both laughed!!! Genesis 17:19, And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

God’s sense of humor and how He delights in all He does shows up here; the name that God chose for Isaac means LAUGHTER!

Perhaps your angel “is missing a few feathers” from too many near-misses while driving, maybe he’s well educated and sophisticated, or maybe she’s like mine, and all kinds of country. Give all glory and honor to God that He has created these beings but please, give thanks to and worship The Creator, Himself, not what He created.

© 2014 Cat Brennan

Super Hero

Feb4

Super Heroes, Marvel Comics, Television and the Big Screen: Did you grow up with The Lone Ranger, Hop-along Cassidy, Gene Autry and my favorite, Roy Rogers?  These cowboys were my super heroes and they always got the bad guy! They always did the right thing at the right time for all of the right reasons. They were made-up heroes, but their values and codes of conducts were not fictitious.

Today, we have Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Ironman and all the guys from Star Wars and Star Trek, just to name a few. These characters take care of the world on-screen, always doing the right thing at the right time.

Did you ever wish for a Superhero in real life?  We do have just such a Super Hero; His name is above all names! His name is Jesus!

Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.

He is wonderful, counselor, mighty God!  And, His appearance was prophesied more than 500 years before He was actually born.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

 Are you afraid of the dark? He is the Light of the world!

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.                                                                                                                            

He can walk through buildings.  

 John 20: 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 

 And, he can walk on water!

 Matthew 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

He heals the sick.

Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

And raises the dead!

John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead … 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

And he’s rich too!

Psalm 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Some kind of hero, don’t you think?  He is all of this and so much more.  He is your Lord, your Father and your Savior. Go quickly, run now to your father; He’s waiting for you.  Call on Him, Abba Father (Daddy!).

All scriptures are taken from the King James Version © 2014 Cat Brennan

This entry was posted on February 4, 2014. 1 Comment