Psalm 36:1
"Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all."
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A Time to Think
"Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are your own fears."
-Rudyard Kipling |
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To Act
When fear comes, counter it with an affirmation of faith. |
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To Pray
Dear God, help me always to see beyond my fears to the beauty of Your creation. |
~Daily Thoughts from Guideposts
Isaiah 66:4
"I will send them great trouble—all the things they feared.
For when I called, they did not answer. When I spoke, they did not listen.
They deliberately sinned before my very eyes and chose to do what they know I despise.”
When one 'steps out' for beliefs, over-riding fear, that is the bravest thing of all. As Christians now, it's common place to be a butt of jokes and ridicule. We have become a comic relief for the extreme liberal population as they declare the 'Tea Parties' a silly coming together for the non-educated. Our rights are being taken away one by one in the name of Political
Correctness. I ask, "Why are WE not allowed to peacefully voice our beliefs, and have the respect for which this country stands?" Our Founding Fathers stood for a strong need for God in this new land. They fought against the tyranny of a too powerful authority, dictating lives. "I am more convinced than ever before that the method of nonviolent resistance is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for justice and human dignity" could have been said by any of them. However, it is a direct quote of Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968). Dr. King was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement. His main legacy was to secure progress on civil rights in the United States.
"Civil Rights" does not just indicate one's color of skin or nationality. It's the freedom to voice our opposition to government taking over our very lives without 'justice' for our 'human dignity'. I refuse to be fearful to stand up for the rights we were given in the founding of this country, and especially my right to voice and practice my Christianity without receiving critical flogging for it, and without the government slowly taking those rights away. Every major person in this country's history believed in God, and practiced that belief without fear of persecution. So where, when, and how did this turn around?
Psalm 64:4
"They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly."
Monday, January 18th, is Martin Luther King, Jr. day, and I cannot help but wonder where
Dr. King would stand today? In 1957 he was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the ideals for this organization having been taken from Christianity. Whether or not one agrees with everything for which Dr. King stood is not the question here. The question I'm posing is whether or not we Christians are too afraid to continue to stand for our beliefs, even in the face of opposition?
Proverbs 29:25
"Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety."
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline."
Sending you my hopes that your day will be filled with power and conviction, thus peace and joy in the Lord. Maggie
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My minister-father was a storyteller, and the best part of Sunday was listening to his stories from the pulpit. One of my favorites was about an exceptional contractor who built beautiful homes. There was always a long waiting list of customers.
One day the contractor told his foreman, “I need to go East for a few months, and while I’m gone I want you to build this house for me.” He showed the foreman the plans. “I want this to be the best house you’ve ever built for me. Spare no expense. I want it done right.”
When his boss left, the foreman got to thinking, This is a big project. I could make some extra money on it by substituting grade-B materials where they won’t show. I could pocket the difference. When the boss returned, he was impressed. “The house is beautiful!” He put his arm around the foreman’s shoulders. “The reason I wanted you to make this house special is that I want you to have it as an expression of my gratitude for your years of service to me.”
The foreman’s face fell, knowing that he had cheated only himself.
I cringed every time I heard that story. It made me determined to do good work when I grew up, knowing that I am the one who has to live in the house I build.
Lord, help me to do my best work so that I have no regrets. |
| ~ By Daniel Schantz |
"When fear comes, counter it with an affirmation of faith."
What an inspiring quote! Comes in handy when you're racked by self-doubt.
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I don't want to copy this website, but I actually like the theme. May you comment on which template you are using or is this customized for this website?
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Twelve years ago my son did the 'template' for me.
I suppose you call it 'customized' for my website.
Thank you for being a 'reader' of it. Maggie
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