I was having plenty of windshield time, and you know how that is. That is, after all, one of the benefits of this way of life. The ability to just shut everything else off, up, or out. Time to think. Time to reflect. Time to plan. Time to pray. Yeah, pray. Ya know, making sure that you and the Almighty are in good standing. I kinda need to do that on a constant basis or I go batty.
There is a song out there by an artist called Sara Groves. She had a song some years ago on her Conversations album called "How is it between us" That song still mess's with me. It's a reminder for me that I was created for something greater. For Someone greater. He just loves hearing from us, and I'm pretty convinced that He loves it when we can hear from Him too. So that's kinda where I was at the other day, Just asking Him, " so, how is it between us Lord?
Sometime I love the answer I get, other times, I wish I really had not asked the question. This was one of those days of not liking the answer I got. It wouldn't be so bad, but you know you don't have a leg to stand on when the King of the universe is calling you out. After all, He is the final Word. The most fair and just Judge ever, anywhere, anytime. So here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man, feeling like I'm about to get it. But ya know? That's the coolest thing. Father God points out, or address our sin, or shortcomings, or faults, whatever you want to call 'em, just so He can see us grow even stronger, fly higher, and run longer.
Hang on, gonna be a bumpy ride today.
We're in 1 Corinthians 6 this time and getting taught some valuable lessons.
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Right away I started to think of all those hypocrites I have seen and know about in church's and on the t.v. ministries and think, " man oh man you nailed them with that one God. Then I hear, " read it again.
(Just so you know, I don't read going down the road. I do have a road safe program to be able to listen to, and even repeat and move around in anything I am drawn to read about.)
So I read it again. Then I see what He is want to show me. Ouch!
" Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters." I can't say that I have knowingly ever cheated a brother or sister in Christ, but I do know I have wronged some. " But Lord, I was offended by that one." or " Lord, you don't understand, that one messed with me on purpose. Am I just supposed to sit there and take it? Well Lord? " So what do you think the answer was? Yep, your right. He didn't see things my way, but rather reminded me how my Jesus took every blow, every curse, every insult and said nothing. When He did speak up, all He said was, " forgive them Father, they don't know what their doing".
What can I say to that. Forgive me, Lord. That's all I could say. You see, right there in verse 9 I catch another warning, 9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? So if I'm getting this, Lord, You're saying if I wasn't to repent for the things I've done, I can't get into heaven? " That's right".
Do not be deceived: Make sure you don't miss this part. He says, "DON'T BE DECEIVED". Don't be lead astray by some gospel that says it's okay to do all the things you know you shouldn't and still think you'll be able to enter into the Kingdom of heaven. He continues;
Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
I could go over all this one by one, I think I'll let you read it a few time on your own. Instead, I want you to see this. Paul says to the Corinthian church, " 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
Wait a minute. Are you telling me that this church is made up of a bunch of wrongdoing, cheating, sexually immoral, adulterers, idol worshipers, homosexuals,thieves, greedy folks, drunks, slanderers, and swindlers?
Yep, that's what I'm saying. You wanna know the truth? So are most of the church's in America today!
But listen now. " That's what some of you were. " You see, so many of the church's out there today seem to forget one pretty important thing. They once were like this. There is this, " better than you", kind of mentality that can really stink up a church. Maybe that's why they call the big bench's, "pews". Ha! That was funny.
Anyway, " What some of you were". You aren't that way anymore. Stop trying to go back to that life you were rescued from! Once you realize what Jesus has done for you, He washed away all your sin and gave you a fresh start.
It doesn't end there, tho. Whatever we see Him do, that's what we're supposed to do, right? Well, then shouldn't we be humble enough to see that the guy on the street that looks like he really could use a hand up, is in fact, one step beyond where we were before Christ.
There will be plenty of time for us to judge this world. ( read verse 2-4 ) But not now! John 3:17 says " for God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him, the world may be saved." One day He will return to judge the living and the dead, The righteous and the wicked. But until He does, You need to be reading this instruction manual and do what it says to do. They used to say, " practice what it preaches", or something like that.
But most of all, when your looking at that long ribbon of highway in front of you, and lots of hours behind you. When you start to feel that prompting, after all your hours of "windshield time", to say, "Hey God, How are things between us"? Listen. Believe it or not, you really can hear it over the roar of that Detroit, Cat, or Cummins. The voice of God telling you how much He love's you. How much He love's it when you call out to Him. And sometimes, like this time for me, you might get a course correction. But trust me, the view is a lot better, and after you've followed His leading for a while, you'll come to realize you were directed away from a few washed out roads, torn down bridges, and some really nasty neighborhoods that he wanted to save you from.
It's a long trip. Are you gonna be ready for the long haul?
Be strong, be courageous,
"Shorthaul"
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Hammer Down! Just grab gears and gauge on it!
Am I the only one that notice's that this world is going nuts? I mean no mercy, no grace, and everybody is in a big hurry to go no where fast. Real fast. What happened to courtesy? To being ladies, and gentlemen? When being a real man meant you gave up you seat for a lady. Or you stood up for somebody that you didn't know just because it was the right thing to do. When being a lady meant you didn't try to out swear and scratch every man you've know. When a lady was soft spoken, soft featured, and soft to the touch. It sure seems more and more, that we're loosing a distinction. Men are either nothing more that boys that are trying to pick a fight by acting all aggressive and all, or they are becoming more and more feminized as time goes on. As men, we have stopped being leaders of our homes, and just passive bullies. Is there such a thing? I think so.
Take a look with me into the book of 2Timothy. I'm all over this today, but for right now we're focusing in on chapter 3.
What do you think? I didn't write this. This was St. Paul to "Pastor"Timothy. He was instructing him about the thing to watch for as he grows his church. This could be for any of us today! Don't you think?
Driver, Have you not seen this kind of stuff on the open road on any given day? Everybody is in a constant state of, "Hammer down!! Put it in the big hole and gauge on it!!" ( A reference to getting up enough speed as to be able to hit the last gear. Mostly referring to a 13 or 15 speed over the road tractor trailer). My last truck could hold out at around 112 or so. Okay,so enough bragging.
People have put so much on themselves, they have no time to think. Divorce is out of control. It no longer even matters if your a church going family. It's 50/50 either way. So broken families, broken husbands and wives, broken children, broken homes,broken lives, broken society.
"As a man goes, so goes his family". I just heard a dear friend of mine quoting that on a radio program the other day, and how true. As men abdicate more and more, women are left with no choice but to take over more and more. So if the dad is not around to BE the dad, the father and example, the mentor and teacher, Who will be?
Boys are becoming more and more frustrated with what society is telling them is normal. I could go on for way to long about this, but I'll get back to my original point. They don't know how to serve because nobody has shown them how to do it. So with nobody being shown, nobody does. We are a society of spoiled brat, punk kids that demand the we get to have it all. And the part that frosts me the most, is those that want what others have worked so hard for, with out doing anything to get it. It's just owed to them. Good grief!!
Re- read the verse with me again and see what I mean. This is what we are living in right now. You know it to be true. This is what happens when a society turns away from serving others, to only wanting to be severed themselves. We are in an "entitlement" era. Everyone thinks the world owes them everything because of this, that, or the other thing. I have so much I want to say about this passage and it's implication alone, but I'd rather just ask a question.
If you believe what I've put here today is true, then what are you going to do to make a difference?
As a driver, it's so easy for me to blow it with every soccer mom, tailgater, ninja bike, and nervous Nelly out there.People are so selfish. So into themselves.So impolite and rude. So, way so unforgiving with everyone but themselves. It is all about self pleasure, self this and that, and all but self control. That is no where to be found.
So again, What are you going to do?
Me? I'll keep trying to be Christ in the flesh to folks. If I see a pilgrim with a flat, I'll still pull over and see what I can do. I'll still hold chairs for my wife,and doors for the ladies. I'll take my hat off and cover my heart when the anthem is sung, or the pledge is given. I'll still stand up for the unborn, the single mom, the widow and anyone else that can't, right then, stand up for themselves. Because that's just what your supposed to do as a man. I'll do my best to raise my sons to do the same. it's called being a dad. Being a mentor. Being an example to others. But most of all, in all these things, I will acknowledge the God that saved me in all these circumstances.
With every chance I get, I'll tell people about His saving mercy and grace. How He did not come to earth to rule over us, but to save us. I'll do that by braggin on my Jesus as I do what He has asked, no, commanded me to do. To seek and save the lost. To pray for the sick. To be the light in a dark world, and the salt on the table of life. To love those that are so unlovable, because I am too. Unlovable, I mean. I'd say ask my wife, but I'm afraid she would tell ya straight out. Ya see, I don't always get it right, but I refuse to stop trying.
2 Timothy 2:12-13 say's;
"If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us.
If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, since He cannot deny Himself"
When I blow it, I get right with Him and then get about His business.
Keep on trucking. The road is long and winding, and hopefully you've got your G.P.S.( God's Plan of Salvation), all plugged in and ready to show all those you come in contact with. Lord know they need it. Remember, they're scoping you out to see if you really are who you say you are. How ya doin with that one?
God Bless.
Be strong, Be courageous
"Shorthaul"
Take a look with me into the book of 2Timothy. I'm all over this today, but for right now we're focusing in on chapter 3.
| << 2 Timothy 3 >> New Living Translation |
The Dangers of the Last Days
1You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence ofa vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7(Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.)What do you think? I didn't write this. This was St. Paul to "Pastor"Timothy. He was instructing him about the thing to watch for as he grows his church. This could be for any of us today! Don't you think?
Driver, Have you not seen this kind of stuff on the open road on any given day? Everybody is in a constant state of, "Hammer down!! Put it in the big hole and gauge on it!!" ( A reference to getting up enough speed as to be able to hit the last gear. Mostly referring to a 13 or 15 speed over the road tractor trailer). My last truck could hold out at around 112 or so. Okay,so enough bragging.
People have put so much on themselves, they have no time to think. Divorce is out of control. It no longer even matters if your a church going family. It's 50/50 either way. So broken families, broken husbands and wives, broken children, broken homes,broken lives, broken society.
"As a man goes, so goes his family". I just heard a dear friend of mine quoting that on a radio program the other day, and how true. As men abdicate more and more, women are left with no choice but to take over more and more. So if the dad is not around to BE the dad, the father and example, the mentor and teacher, Who will be?
Boys are becoming more and more frustrated with what society is telling them is normal. I could go on for way to long about this, but I'll get back to my original point. They don't know how to serve because nobody has shown them how to do it. So with nobody being shown, nobody does. We are a society of spoiled brat, punk kids that demand the we get to have it all. And the part that frosts me the most, is those that want what others have worked so hard for, with out doing anything to get it. It's just owed to them. Good grief!!
Re- read the verse with me again and see what I mean. This is what we are living in right now. You know it to be true. This is what happens when a society turns away from serving others, to only wanting to be severed themselves. We are in an "entitlement" era. Everyone thinks the world owes them everything because of this, that, or the other thing. I have so much I want to say about this passage and it's implication alone, but I'd rather just ask a question.
If you believe what I've put here today is true, then what are you going to do to make a difference?
As a driver, it's so easy for me to blow it with every soccer mom, tailgater, ninja bike, and nervous Nelly out there.People are so selfish. So into themselves.So impolite and rude. So, way so unforgiving with everyone but themselves. It is all about self pleasure, self this and that, and all but self control. That is no where to be found.
So again, What are you going to do?
Me? I'll keep trying to be Christ in the flesh to folks. If I see a pilgrim with a flat, I'll still pull over and see what I can do. I'll still hold chairs for my wife,and doors for the ladies. I'll take my hat off and cover my heart when the anthem is sung, or the pledge is given. I'll still stand up for the unborn, the single mom, the widow and anyone else that can't, right then, stand up for themselves. Because that's just what your supposed to do as a man. I'll do my best to raise my sons to do the same. it's called being a dad. Being a mentor. Being an example to others. But most of all, in all these things, I will acknowledge the God that saved me in all these circumstances.
With every chance I get, I'll tell people about His saving mercy and grace. How He did not come to earth to rule over us, but to save us. I'll do that by braggin on my Jesus as I do what He has asked, no, commanded me to do. To seek and save the lost. To pray for the sick. To be the light in a dark world, and the salt on the table of life. To love those that are so unlovable, because I am too. Unlovable, I mean. I'd say ask my wife, but I'm afraid she would tell ya straight out. Ya see, I don't always get it right, but I refuse to stop trying.
2 Timothy 2:12-13 say's;
"If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us.
If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, since He cannot deny Himself"
When I blow it, I get right with Him and then get about His business.
Keep on trucking. The road is long and winding, and hopefully you've got your G.P.S.( God's Plan of Salvation), all plugged in and ready to show all those you come in contact with. Lord know they need it. Remember, they're scoping you out to see if you really are who you say you are. How ya doin with that one?
God Bless.
Be strong, Be courageous
"Shorthaul"
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Compassion? What's that?
I received an email from an old friend the other day. Her daughters husband had a stroke. I know, we all know someone who has had some kind of major medical thing happen over the years. You just don't expect it will be someone you either know, or hold in such high esteem. Why is it that things like this almost always seem to take us by surprise? I think it's because we just get so into what we're doing, or the love that we share with others, that we just know things will be the way they are forever, right?
Well, I think that's how it is with me. I know, I can't speak for you, just saying.
I'd like to tell you a little about my friend and her family.
It's been so long since I've seen her, but the memories of her wonderful family will echo in my spirit forever. There might be one or two I'd would like to forget, but I wasn't following my Lord yet. And from what I know about life and cooking now, even tho all the stuff in the pot doesn't smell to good on it's own, somehow after they simmer altogether for awhile, it all starts to be pretty good. That's just how life goes, huh?
Anyway, a great memory I have of this precious lady's daughter is how she was when she got introduced to the King of Kings. You see, I was a no account, know it all, 20 something,( if that ), she was so excited to tell not just the whole family, but everyone she met about this Jesus. Wow. What a freak! I thought. I can't remember how many times she must have heard that. Or did we just say that behind her back? Don't know.
Her brother was a school chum of mine, and I would hang with the family often. What a family. I learned a lot there. Guess that's how I got to be privileged to see what I saw. How the seeds of the Gospel got planted in me with every smile and testimony we had to listen to from either her or her friend. I even remember his name, wow.
There was this one time, talk about crazy, her brother got hit by a car out on the road in front of their house. Bad, bad break. a compound fracture, I think they call it. The bone was broken right through the skin, as I remember it. We all go running down there and here she goes, she just laid her hands on him and began to pray out for a healing. right in the middle of the highway. Normal folks just don't do that, do they? Yeah they do. Well that sure left an impression, I tell you. She knows about the love of the Father, and the compassion He has for His little ones. She knows.
I'm hanging out in Psalms 103 lately. and boy howdy, is there a whole bunch of love and compassion about our Father in here.
1 Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Here David is, what some might say, talking to himself. You know what I mean. You've been at it for days. Lots of windshield time and you've had enough of the c.b., the traffic, the problems from home that you just can't do anything about from 1000 miles away, you know, stuff. He is encouraging himself in the knowledge that he has about the Father. Listen as the sheep tender turn king, speaks out loud, to and from his spirit, right to the Spirit and ear of God. Read it again. The Psalm, I mean. Cool huh? Wait till you see this.
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.,
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
I could put the whole Psalm here, but I would encourage you to read it all for yourself. Just Google Psalm 103 and you can read it right off the net.
The bottom line is, no matter what your going through, no matter how bad you think it is, you have One that is closer than a brother. He so loves you and feels your pain. he understands you like nobody else and is always there when you turn towards Him.
The seeds this young one from the Jesus movement threw at me by her total abandoning love for Jesus then, I believe, was the same field that God would tear up once in a while to bring me closer to Him, until I finally got it. See for me there are other verses in here that move me. Things like;
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
For me, if anyone deserved Gods wrath, it was me. If He was to treat me as my sins deserved, Oh God, I don't even want to dwell on that. Thank you Jesus! This is the God I serve and have come to know over the last few years. I blow it on a daily basis. But regardless how bad, "He has compassion on those who fear Him".
My friend is going through some "stuff" right now. I've been through "stuff". You either have been, or you may even be going through it right now. He is right beside you. Call upon His name and feel His compassionate love for you. You see, if I know anything, I know that as a believer in Jesus Christ, I want to be praying for others and doing all I can to serve them, ( Hope my dispatcher doesn't read that ), so that even if those around me are so not ready to come to Jesus, they might start remembering a few years from now. The goofy sayings. The smile. The laughter. The very fragrance of God that they encountered from time to time. If your a believer, are you leaving that kind of an impression? If your a brother trucker or pilgrim just out here trying to make ends meet and don't hardly know up from down. Know this, I am praying for you. I really have been there, done that and I really am praying for you. And He really does love you more than you'll ever know.
Be strong, Be courageous,
"Shorthaul"
Well, I think that's how it is with me. I know, I can't speak for you, just saying.
I'd like to tell you a little about my friend and her family.
It's been so long since I've seen her, but the memories of her wonderful family will echo in my spirit forever. There might be one or two I'd would like to forget, but I wasn't following my Lord yet. And from what I know about life and cooking now, even tho all the stuff in the pot doesn't smell to good on it's own, somehow after they simmer altogether for awhile, it all starts to be pretty good. That's just how life goes, huh?
Anyway, a great memory I have of this precious lady's daughter is how she was when she got introduced to the King of Kings. You see, I was a no account, know it all, 20 something,( if that ), she was so excited to tell not just the whole family, but everyone she met about this Jesus. Wow. What a freak! I thought. I can't remember how many times she must have heard that. Or did we just say that behind her back? Don't know.
Her brother was a school chum of mine, and I would hang with the family often. What a family. I learned a lot there. Guess that's how I got to be privileged to see what I saw. How the seeds of the Gospel got planted in me with every smile and testimony we had to listen to from either her or her friend. I even remember his name, wow.
There was this one time, talk about crazy, her brother got hit by a car out on the road in front of their house. Bad, bad break. a compound fracture, I think they call it. The bone was broken right through the skin, as I remember it. We all go running down there and here she goes, she just laid her hands on him and began to pray out for a healing. right in the middle of the highway. Normal folks just don't do that, do they? Yeah they do. Well that sure left an impression, I tell you. She knows about the love of the Father, and the compassion He has for His little ones. She knows.
I'm hanging out in Psalms 103 lately. and boy howdy, is there a whole bunch of love and compassion about our Father in here.
1 Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Here David is, what some might say, talking to himself. You know what I mean. You've been at it for days. Lots of windshield time and you've had enough of the c.b., the traffic, the problems from home that you just can't do anything about from 1000 miles away, you know, stuff. He is encouraging himself in the knowledge that he has about the Father. Listen as the sheep tender turn king, speaks out loud, to and from his spirit, right to the Spirit and ear of God. Read it again. The Psalm, I mean. Cool huh? Wait till you see this.
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.,
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
I could put the whole Psalm here, but I would encourage you to read it all for yourself. Just Google Psalm 103 and you can read it right off the net.
The bottom line is, no matter what your going through, no matter how bad you think it is, you have One that is closer than a brother. He so loves you and feels your pain. he understands you like nobody else and is always there when you turn towards Him.
The seeds this young one from the Jesus movement threw at me by her total abandoning love for Jesus then, I believe, was the same field that God would tear up once in a while to bring me closer to Him, until I finally got it. See for me there are other verses in here that move me. Things like;
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
For me, if anyone deserved Gods wrath, it was me. If He was to treat me as my sins deserved, Oh God, I don't even want to dwell on that. Thank you Jesus! This is the God I serve and have come to know over the last few years. I blow it on a daily basis. But regardless how bad, "He has compassion on those who fear Him".
My friend is going through some "stuff" right now. I've been through "stuff". You either have been, or you may even be going through it right now. He is right beside you. Call upon His name and feel His compassionate love for you. You see, if I know anything, I know that as a believer in Jesus Christ, I want to be praying for others and doing all I can to serve them, ( Hope my dispatcher doesn't read that ), so that even if those around me are so not ready to come to Jesus, they might start remembering a few years from now. The goofy sayings. The smile. The laughter. The very fragrance of God that they encountered from time to time. If your a believer, are you leaving that kind of an impression? If your a brother trucker or pilgrim just out here trying to make ends meet and don't hardly know up from down. Know this, I am praying for you. I really have been there, done that and I really am praying for you. And He really does love you more than you'll ever know.
Be strong, Be courageous,
"Shorthaul"
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