Search Me Lord

WHO - WHERE - WHEN - WHAT

2012-01-20T23:18:00.000-05:00

2 Samuel 11 - 1 In the spring, when the kings normally went out to war,

David sent out Joab, his servants, and all the Israelites. They destroyed the Ammonites and attacked the city of Rabbah.

But David stayed in Jerusalem.

2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof

3 So David sent his servants to find out who she was. A servant answered, “That woman is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam. She is the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”

4 So David sent messengers to bring Bathsheba to him. When she came to him, he had sexual relations with her. (Now Bathsheba had purified herself from her monthly period.) Then she went back to her house.

5 But Bathsheba became pregnant and sent word to David, saying,

“I am pregnant.”

Later David tried to get her husband drunk and send him home to have sex with his wife. This would of course cause the husband to think the baby was his. Unfortunately for David her husband did not go home but in an act of dedication, he slept outside David’s castle with the other officers. In desperation, David had her husband killed and eventually married the woman. This act turned David’s life upside down for an extended period of time.While thinking about this situation I thought about some basic questions that I should ask of myself and of others on a regular basis. Here are the questions and David’s answers.

QUESTION	DAVID’S ANSWER	YOUR ANSWER
WHO AM I	King David
WHERE AM I	At Home
WHERE SHOULD I BE	“*when the kings normally went out to war*”
WHEN SHOULD I BE THERE	Now
WHAT ARE YOU DOING	Abusing my authority

While there are more questions that can be raised from this particular portion of scripture, the answers to these questions can go a long way in determining what the answers will be when you answer them again in six months. If the answer to where are you and where should you be are not the same now, then without an acceleration plan being implemented now, those answers will not be the same in six months.Anyway I hope to spend a lot more time sharing via this blog this year in an effort to reconcile the difference between where I am, and where I should be. Join me.SLC

WE DON'T DIE - WE MULTIPLY!

2011-11-11T13:15:00.001-05:00

IF ITS TRUE FOR BE BE'S KIDS........

Have you ever found yourself in a miserable job situation?Have you ever said to yourself, “It wasn’t always like this”? Have you everfound yourself dealing with people that seemed determined to kill you? I don’tmean physically kill you. I mean the people Jesus spoke of when he said, “be afraid of the One who can destroy bothsoul and body in hell”. (Matthew 10:28). That is the type of situation the Israelites foundthemselves in Exodus chapter 1.

At the end of the book of Genesis they came into town on thecoattails of Joseph’s favor and everything was fine; for a season. But oversome years the Joseph’s generation and the king with whom they had favor weregone. The new man in charge was intimidated by the growth of the Israelites.Yep. Some people in your life will be uncomfortable with your growth. They’llactually be intimidated by it. Pharaoh was so afraid he decided to do somethingabout it.

9And he said to his people, See, the people of Israel are greater in number andin power than we are: 10 Let us take care for fear that their numbers maybecome even greater, and if there is a war, they may be joined with those whoare against us, and make an attack on us, and go up out of the land. 11 So theyput overseers of forced work over them, in order to make their strength less bythe weight of their work. And they made store-towns for Pharaoh, Pithom andRaamses. Exodus1:9-11

The King James says that he put taskmasters over them toafflict them. Afflict meant to put down, brow beat, mishandle, or humiliate.All because of their growth. While the growth in these verses may be numerical,the same thing happens when some people are intimidated by your Spiritualgrowth. They try to humiliate, embarrass, or brow beat you. They try to stuntyour growth. They also try to bring death to your dreams and the call of Godfor your life. They try to kill your soul.

For a bit of encouragement all you have to do is check outverse 12. It doesn’t say that the affliction does not come. In fact it doescome and increasingly so. But check out your I mean the Israelite's response.

12 But the more theyafflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved becauseof the children of Israel. Exodus 1:12

That’s right. They didn’t die, they multiplied. Not only didthey multiply, but they grew as well. Sometimes you can’t do anything about thehaters and brow beaters in your life, but you can let the hate, motivate. Letit inspire you to grow in your relationship with God and multiply your Godly influenceover those that realize that fighting against you is a losing battle. As Josephsaid to his brothers, what they meant for evil, God meant for good. So the sameaffliction designed to take you out will take you up, cause we don’t die, weMULTIPLY.

Learning To Commend - My Easter Lesson

2011-04-25T11:09:00.002-04:00

The last expressions of Jesus Christ are commonly preached at good Friday services around the world. I have heard many of these messages, but I can’t remember any of them. Probably because I could not relate. Well that has changed for me. While there is still no sermon I can related to, there is a condition I can vaguely relate too. That condition is the condition of individual helplessness. I am at a point in a particular battle, where I am totally self helpless and powerless. I believe that is the condition Jesus was in when he spoke these words;

“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit:

and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Luke 23:46b” KJV

"Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands! And with those words he breathed his last.” NLT

"Father, I place my life in your hands!" Then he breathed his last. The Message

Jesus fully understood what he was called to do but in the Garden of Gethsemane he prayed that this cup, this calling could pass from him. Somehow he summoned the strength he needed and said never the less, not my will, but yours be done. As I struggled with certain issues I got to a point where I wanted to negatively quit. There is indeed a proper way to quit, but I wanted to quit on some aspects of my calling. I literally wanted to throw up my hands and say I can’t do this anymore. I wanted to say, to hell with all of this, but that is like saying instead of fighting for Heavenly results, I’ll give in to the enemy and hellish results. That’s the wrong way to quit.

The right way is to finally realize that you have exhausted all of your earthly options, and you need to quit trying to be the superhero. There are some situations (battles), the effects of which you see with your natural eye, that are not natural they are spiritual. For me it took a while (and I’m still not sure I’m completely there) to quit my self-influenced efforts, and quit, by commending my situation to God. The word commend means to deposit, as you would money into a savings account. In the best scenarios, interest causes an increase of your original investment. Jesus invested his Spirit to God, and was not disappointed for God Raised Him from the dead. The souls that have been added to the Church since then are the interest on that initial investment.

My situation requires a resurrection but nothing nearly as complex as rolling away a multi-ton stone. Pray for me, and join me in commending situations to the care of God. I promise you will receive an awesome return on that investment.

Love y‘all

SLC

Learning To Wait.......Again.

2011-03-12T22:06:00.001-05:00

Isaiah 40:30-31 () 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint. #Bible http://j.mp/fAhj6B

Peace Peace

2011-02-10T13:20:00.003-05:00

In preparing for last nights Bible Study, while also dealing with my own spiritual battles, I decided that the topic would be peace. You know that priceless entity that you can’t buy, drink, or sex into existence. I know. I’ve tried. I’ve failed. After receiving the topic, I received this scripture.

Isaiah 26:3 (King James Version)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.

After that I decided that I wanted to get a little deep and find the definition for the words perfect and peace. I mean, I already knew that usually the word perfect in the Bible means complete, but I was curious so I opened E-sword and then went to the Bible with numerical references to the original Hebrew. Yeah y’all SLC was trying to get super deep for this study. Well what a surprise when I found that the words in Hebrew were the same. They both meant completeness, soundness, welfare, and safety. It was originally written "keep in peace peace". I was stumped. But then I thought about the hell I’ve been through and realized that although as a Christian I have peace all the time, God loves me, Jesus loves me, I’m going to Heaven, I love the Lawd He heard my cry, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on,.........

All that religion isn’t enough. I’ve been looking for more than that common peace, but I been looking for the type of peace that enables me to stop feeling anxiety about the things I cannot control. I’ve been looking for that type of peace that confuses people that think I should be crazier than I am. I’ve been looking for that protective force field of peace that refuses to let any thoughts permeate my mind that are not related to the goal of………..peace.

I’m going to have peace. Well actually, I’m going to have peace peace. A double scoop of peace. I’m going to focus on what God can do, not on what I can’t do. I’m going to focus on the most stable Being I have ever had the pleasure of being in a relationship with.

Lin, if you’re reading this, I’m going to have that peace peace that enables me to fight off my anxiety attacks that you wrote about so well I though you had peeked into my mind.

Miz, I’m looking for the type of peace peace that……..Does The Body Good.

Pray for me.
Pray for Peace.

Peace Peace

SLC

Peace

2010-10-18T15:25:00.001-04:00

Answers to last weeks question and, the Sunday Musings of Miz, bought to my remembrance the following:

Peace I leave with you,

My peace I give unto you:

Not as the world giveth,

give I unto you. John 14:27a

Moan and Keith mentioned a peace that can not be purchased, a peace that comforts you in spite of what’s happening in your life, while Miz’s Sunday Musings painted a picture of a scene that only God could create in Georgia, Carolina, Maryland, California, Philly, and New York, all on the same day. Peace is a place of escape that I find hard to describe. Try as I might I can’t really define it, but when I’m there in that place. I know it and never want to leave.

Well meaning people may try to offer peace but they often end up doing more to pull you from peace; like the woman who approached a widow at the funeral of her husband that said, “Don’t worry chil’, God’s gonna send you another husband”. She should have held her piece. People are often astonished at ones ability to have peace during the most trying circumstances, not understanding that at that time you not only have Peace, but more importantly Peace (God) has you.

Thanks for the boost family.

QUESTION

2010-10-13T11:53:00.000-04:00

I know it's been a long time since I've posted, and I miss y'all terribly although I continue to lurk around your blogs. I have come out of hiding to ask you question that was asked of me earlier.

Is it wrong to pray for someone's healing, but prepare yourself for their possible demise. My friend was wondering if they were insulting God by asking him to heal their 80 plus year old relative while also trying to not be blindsided if they pass. The person was asking about their father.

I told them to always ask for what they want. And when they wake up the next morning, tell God thanks whether they received what they asked for or not. I said a few more things also, but I want to hear from my blog family.

So please, give me your answer.

Thanks,
SLC

With You Always

2010-04-24T17:01:00.002-04:00

On the same day I submitted the previous post, I found myself surrounded but astoundingly alone. I was stranded on an island of depression and as much as I thought I had in common with those around me, they were powerless to reach me, since they were powerless to understand. The next morning while driving to work, I was playing through songs on my phone and came across this blessing that I hope to minister tomorrow. It was a timely blessing (and reminder) for me and I hope it is for you as well.

I Love Y'all
SLC

With You Always

Lead Me From Me To You

2010-04-21T16:20:00.002-04:00

I was making the mistake last night of having a conversation with myself. While that may not be bad all the time, last night it was. I was thinking about the lease on a building, my classes, the increased workload on my job, the roof, the oil change, Elijah’s graduation, my class reunion, and my desire to relocate to Georgia. SLC and I were talking about some of these things; primarily those that need to be taken care of this week. I told myself, “You can handle it. You’re just overwhelmed.” I immediately heard Psalm 61:2; the second part that says, “When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

Just between you and I, I’m a pretty smart guy. I am very resourceful. Need something fixed? I can do it, even if I have never done it before. I’m a man’s man. I don’t like taking about what’s broke, I like fixing it. This smartadicity (new word I just made up) is my biggest problem, and it was my biggest problem last night.

I mean if I am overwhelmed obviously all my intelligence and resourcefulness is not enough to get me the peace I need. Telling me I can handle it was a somewhat delusional statement when made without acknowledging my dependence on God. In fact I am now convinced God allows some ~~crap to take place~~ things not too work out as planned when my smart self plans without praying and acknowledging him.

So as I hear this familiar scripture again, for the first time, I think I understand it a little bit better.

It starts, “From the end of the earth I will cry to You”, meaning know matter where I go, or how high I get I will always acknowledge your role in getting me there and keeping me there.

Next it says, “When my heart is overwhelmed”. Heart actually means and includes mind, so as smart as I think I am, I will reach a point of mental futility equivalent to brain freeze, which can lead to mental and physical exhaustion.

Finally, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I”. Jesus said to Simon, “thou art Peter”. Peter means small stone. Thou art ___________, a small stone. Then Jesus said, “Upon this Rock I will build my church.” This rock is not a small stone, but a Bedrock or a large foundational stone that you can build on.

So when my small stone of a mind has exhausted all of its resources, remind and lead me to the ultimate source of all peace; the foundation upon which my faith, hope and life is built.

Now I know what they meant when I was a child when they said, “You know Too Much”.

Thank God now I know Him.

See y’all real soon.

PRESS!

2010-04-15T14:09:00.001-04:00

I love blogging, sharing, and the Word of God; in reverse order. But as anyone reading this can tell, the blogging aspect of my sharing has been woefully neglected. There’s a reason for that, but there are no excuses. I am married……with four kids……active in ministry…..trying to resurrect or pursue a more active role in music……and I am trying to complete a degree in information technology with a concentration in database administration. Oh yeah, I work for Pfizer Consumer Healthcare. These are what occupy major chunks of my 25 hour days. But still, I have know excuses.

When I started blogging with Perspective, it was a way to get a vent while doing something I enjoy, writing, and interacting with people beyond facebook shenanigans. Eventually I started this blog and somehow, whenever people went to my profile, Search Me Lord (SML) is what was listed first. I could blame that on blogger’s tendency to do the unexplainable, but I prefer to blame God.

While perspective is just that, my perspective on current events, Search Me Lord is GOD’s perspective often times of me and by extension others that can identify with some of what I may …… excuse me…. what God may be dealing with me about. This blog is an extension of a call on my life, not a habit. It is a part of who I am based on the will of God not me. When I think of all the things I know I should be doing, I think of Myles Munroe's trip past a cemetery. He was driving and God said, "most of them never became who I called them to be". Ouch!

So there should be a minimum of two relevant posts per month on SML. No junk postings, just so I can say I posted something. Posts like the one I never wrote for Easter titled “Don’t waste it. Celebrating the resurrection but living an un-resurrected life.” Or the post that I never wrote titled, “SHUT UP. Learning How to Argue From Jesus’ Example” (I choose to hear nothing, and I make no reply. For I am waiting for you, O LORD. You must answer for me, O Lord my God. Psalms 38:14-15). I have a blogger friend (not you) that really needs to stop validating haters with her constant rebuttals. (But Jesus held his peace Matthew 26:63a)

This is a calling I can no longer neglect, so it’s time for me to press through all of my (in)valid reasons for complacency. See y’all real soon.

SLC

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

WHAT WILL YOUR PRISON PRODUCE?

2010-03-09T16:51:00.000-05:00

Some of the best advice I have ever received came from an inmate. I don’t know about you, but I have known some people to go into prison a hell raise and come out a priest, a preacher, the Dalai Lama, monks. Although I have never spent any time behind bars, I know there have been times, and there are times where I feel like a prisoner. A prisoner of circumstance. On these occasions, I turn to the writings of my favorite inmate Paul.

He tells me stuff like;

Romans 8:31......... "If God be for us, who can be against us?

Colossians 3:2............ "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:23.......... "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,...

Romans 8:18............ "...consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Romans 8:37............ "Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Philippians 4:13................"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Ironically Paul wrote many of his letters from prison, producing the majority of the New Testament in less than ideal conditions. He allowed his ministry and his growth to prosper in spite of where he was.

Hopefully, the next time I find myself feeling imprisoned by circumstances and the things I have to do now, to pave the way for the things I want to do now, I’m going to take some cues from Paul and make sure my prison produces something that’ll prayerfully bless someone else as Paul has blessed me.

Waiting for parole,

SLC

Keep Reading

2010-02-26T12:28:00.001-05:00

When I received this email today I read the first line and thought, "I don't want to hear this". Then I heard it's exactly what you need to hear. Have you ever had that experience before? I knew I had to keep reading even if only because I wanted to stay in my mood. The last thing I need to do is hold on tighter to my funk than to my faith. Y'all pray for me.

Love y'all

SLC

SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- February 26, 2010

Beloved, refuse to allow discontentment to encroach on your thoughts, for it most certainly has its roots in bitterness of soul and will make a place for the enemy to work against you. Contentment comes from a position of faith and trusting that I am for you and not against you; that I care for you. Take comfort in knowing that I am with you. Set your sights higher than the

temporary things of the earth. Look heavenly, and renew yourself in the hope of my promises, says the Lord.

2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Edify

2009-11-22T01:28:00.010-05:00

Thursday night I went to Lowes for some vertical blinds. It was one of the most valuable trips I had taken in a long time. With the start of the school year and the day-to-day drama of raising four boys (ages 12, 11, and 4) and one 9 year old woman, life has been good. But life, even when good can be a little draining. My trip to Lowes resulted in me being edified. I checked the dictionary but I think my definition is good enough.

Edify – build up

That’s it. The whole thing. When I get a few 100 more words I’ll publish the SLC Dictionary but for now this one word is it. My edification had been coming through blogs like yours, but sometimes that life thing doesn’t give me the time to stop and check in with my blog family. But Thursday night at Lowes I ran into Eric and his wife of 22 years. I met Eric 20 years ago when I though he was radical, crazy, and to be avoided. When I saw him I was hesitant to speak since I wasn’t sure if he was still the combustible individual I once knew. Much to my surprise he had changed. Much to my benefit he was full of Godly wisdom and without me complaining about any of the trivial issues that had drained me, his conversation edified me. It strengthened me and pulled me out of a three day funk; much to the delight of my immediate family. I can say I should not have needed that encounter but then I would have to ask the question, why am I in the Body of Christ? If a part of my body aches, another part of my body, usually my hand takes care of it. In the same way, when I am down, another member of the Body edifies me.

So with that, I’d like to say thanks to Eric, and thanks to whoever is reading this. Something you have posted on your blog, or some comment you have made here has had a greater impact on my world then you will ever know. I pray that I can fight a little harder next time, but if not God will send someone to Lowes, or send to one of your blogs to get the edification I need. And prayerfully, I’ll be able to do the same for some of you.

Thanks for edifying me.

SLC (Inspired by Feels like home…) Thank Sis. I needed that…..

Can You Hear Me Now

2009-08-26T14:03:00.005-04:00

I recently read something about the noise involved in writing. Specifically anything that interfered with the receiver clearly hearing and understanding what was written. I immediately thought about my relationship with God and the noises that life can throw at you. I also thought of the cell phone commercial where the guy did everything he could do to try and get a clear signal, while he kept asking, "can you hear me now?"

When life gets hectic there is nothing like being able to hide away with God in prayer. Especially the kind of prayer in which I keep my mouth shut for most of it.

My example:

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark,
Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a
solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

A little voluntary solitary confinement does a person good.

Love y'all.
SLC

ONCE AND FOR ALL - JESUS

2009-07-28T09:38:00.008-04:00

The death he died, he died to sin ONCE AND FOR ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God. - Romans 6:10

Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins ONCE AND FOR ALL when he offered himself. - Hebrews 7:27

He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place ONCE AND FOR ALL by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. - Hebrews 9:12

Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared ONCE AND FOR ALL at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. - Hebrews 9:26

Christ's Sacrifice ONCE AND FOR ALL The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. - Hebrews 10:1

If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed ONCE AND FOR ALL, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. - Hebrews 10:2

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE AND FOR ALL. - Hebrews 10:10

For Christ died for sins ONCE AND FOR ALL, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, - 1 Peter 3:18

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was ONCE AND FOR ALL entrusted to the saints. - Jude 1:3

Reconciling......................Me

2009-05-28T23:02:00.004-04:00

The last two or three posts have been about some sort of reconciliation. Reconciliation is properly defined as an exchange; or restoration to divine favor when used in relationship to the reconciling of souls. I have been blessed recently by posts shared by Mizrepresent and Blu Jewel; both of whom shared deeply and eloquently about processes of self discovery (my words) they've been through. Those posts reawakened with new insight a thought about a familiar passage of scripture regarding the prodigal son. Of the entire story the verse that stands out the most for me right now is;

And when he came to himself,
he said,
How many hired servants of my father's
have bread enough and to spare,
and I perish with hunger! Luke 15:17 KJV

The prodigal son is described as having wasted his substance with riotous living (he went buck wild). Maybe, just maybe this made it easier for him to "come to himself". But for many people and to some extent myself, life is ok, I'm living Holy, and my wife and kids are happy, but I recently realized that in the midst of taking care of everything else, somewhere along this journey I got a little lost. To put it a little clearer, I almost lost.....ME. And I'm now reconciling myself.

I can relate a little to the prodigal son. When he came to himself, he was able to evaluate the difference between where he was and where he should have been. Once he saw the difference he could effectively pursue reconciling that difference. Life at times can be so fast paced that you wake up one day step into the bathroom prepare to brush your teeth, comb your hair, or shave, and you look at the person in the mirror and you utter those famous words, " I don't know who you are anymore". Well I'm glad to say that after a rather tense 2008 and a 2009 filled with change, I'm getting reaquainted with SLC. And it all starts and end with God's Word.

Love y'all

Reconciliation - Greek - katallagē - exchange (figuratively adjustment), that is, restoration to (the divine) favor: - atonement, reconciliation (-ing).

Reconciling - Greek - katallassō - to change mutually, that is, (figuratively) to compound a difference

Reconciling Peace : After The Due Order

2009-05-20T12:30:00.006-04:00

For because ye did it not at the first,
the LORD our God made a breach upon us,
for that we sought him not after the due order.
1 Chronicles 15:13

Another awesome thing about God is His tendency to allow do overs. These are opportunities I've taken advantage of numerous times in my life.

2 Samuel chapter 6 records the story of the Israel's and David's attempted to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the City Of David. David brought "all" the people with him, although the scriptures specifically stated that the Levites were responsible for the care and transportation of the Ark. So many times well meaning people are included on journeys and in undertaking various duties God has ordained for someone(s) specific to handle. The more the merrier some may say, but God has never been one to rely on numbers for success.

The next error was when they placed the Ark on a new cart. While it may sound complimentary to be placed on a new cart, it was actually an act of disobedience, possibly caused by what they saw other non Israelites get away with. When the Philistines wanted to remove the wrath of God from their land, they also placed the ark on a new car and had it pulled by cows, but the Phillistines didn't know better and they were not in a covenant relationship with God. To better explain this Israel's error imagine this. You've just received an expensive gift from a loved one, but you're not happy with the gift because you specifically asked for something else; a request you made from your heart. The expense of the doesn't compensate for your disappointment. A new cart could impress people, but it could not remove the fact that they were in disobedience. Per God's word the Ark was always to be carried by Levites. (Nothing Between my soul and my Savior). Oxen and a new cart could not substitute for the touch and the relationship.

"When they arrived at Nakhon's threshing-floor, the oxen stumbled; and 'Uzah put out his hand to steady the Ark of God. But ADONAI's anger blazed up against 'Uzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his offense, so that he died there by the Ark of God.(2 Samuel 6:6-7 CJ)"
Needless to say the journey was not completed that day. Instead the Ark was taken to the house of Obededom and stayed for three months.

This temporary failure is referenced by David in 1 Chronicles 15:13 where he says, "For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order." There is indeed an order in which God likes things to be done and his Word will not change so neither will his order. Fortunately our God is a God of new opportunities. The remainder of 2 Samuel records how David and the Israelites took advantage of the opportunity afforded and ended the journey with David dancing his way out of his religous garb, and into a greater relationship with and appreciation for God. Because they sought him after the due order.

I've got another opportunity to go after what God has always wanted me to have, and to do what God has called me to do. This time I'll seek Him, after the due order.

Pray for me.
Praying for y'all
SLC

Impacting Your Season Part II

2009-04-30T13:21:00.005-04:00

Often times in the Bible references are made to due season. Many of these references are to the Lord providing rain or meat in it's due season. Those seasons, especially rain are somewhat predictable. We expect rain in April, snow in winter, and heat in summer. If we don't get them we speak of droughts and unseasonable temperatures. But when it comes to our individual walk with God and the rain or meat we desire that pertains only to us I believe due season is a gray area term that can only be brought into fruition by Faith Fueled Action.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

What a lovely scripture. What an often quoted scripture. What an often misused cop-out scripture. "I'm just waiting on the Lord. Wait on the Lord and be of good courage" Sounds good, but if a person isn't careful they'll die waiting. I've known so many people to use a scripture as a reason to do nothing, but I'm crazy enough to believe you can influence and actually accelerate
your due season.

I've known people interested in getting a degree who have enrolled in accelerated courses and invested more time and effort in the short run so they woudldnt have to wait in the long run for due season to arrive. Yeah they could have waded through traditional semesters and delayed
their due season but they took the initiative and accelerated it instead.

I've known people who have not grown weary in attending Church and did not faint, but regularly asked God for what they wanted, but they were passive in aggressively pursuing, or sowing for what they said they wanted, and never picked up the answer. Some business establishments like cleaners and repair shops have what they call unclaimed merchandise. I believe their are a lot of unclaimed answered prayers. (Off on a tangent here)

OK I'm back. The next time someone gets deep with you about what they're believing God for, ask them what they're doing to show they believe. Ask them what are they doing to accelerate their due season.

Impacting your season Part I

2009-03-23T14:52:00.004-04:00

Your condition does not determine your position- the devil attacks you at the position he knows you are going to be not the condition you see yourself in .

Your Assignment has been revealed, but the manifestation of the assignment is on hold because he is working on your character. He is trying to change that ungodly character to a character that is representative of your calling.

The enemy’s job is to hold up your assignment so that frustration will set in, you'll quit, and fulfillment never occurs, therefor you should question the Lord - How can I affect my wilderness season? Understand that seasons are merely points of testing, character building , refining and pouring clouds. Always remember that the key is what you do during the season.

For example:
Hezekiah impacted his season by his petition before the Lord
2Kings 20:2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

Jonah impacted his season by making a decision to obey the Lord
Jonah prayed to the LORD his God He said: "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. Jonah 2:1-2

Deborah impacted her season by consulting the Lord and following his directions against the naysayers.
Jacob impacted his season by refusing to let go of his blessing until he had it.
Elijah impacted the season of the little boy by praying faith’s prayer and speaking life.

What are you doing to impact your season?

The above represents notes from a portion of a message delivered by Mrs. SLC.
I pray you find some encouragement through this post and the ones to follow.
Remember you can impact your season.

SLC

Consolation From Above

2009-03-18T14:42:00.003-04:00

The scripture reads, “The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, God, took hold and held me fast. Psalms 94:18 (Message Translation)”. But for me it could have read more like, “They gon make me lose my mind”, or “I’m about to go off up in here”. It’s just another day at the office, and another trick of the enemy, people with mouths going 75, and brains still in neutral. Sometimes the people that need your ministry the most, are the people that vex you the most. Once Job asked his well meaning friends, “How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?” The funny thing is the trigger seemed to be the inspiration I received from this post. Whatever the case, I learned a valuable lesson from Paul. When the messenger of Satan buffeted Paul, he resorted to prayer, and he received an answer. The answer wasn’t a promise to take away the annoyance, but a guarantee of abundant grace to see him through.

Right now, I thank God for his grace and an opportunity to vent.

Stopped By Words

2009-01-23T14:31:00.005-05:00

Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 1 Kings 19:2-4 KJV

Elijah was on a roll! He prophesied a drought and a drought happened. Ravens fed him for months. Afterwards a widowed single parent with one meal left for her and her son miraculously fed all three of them for months. While there the widow’s son became sick and died, but Elijah prayed and God heard him and revived the boy. Then Elijah battled Jezebels prophets and fire came down from heaven and consumed the offering. Then Elijah led the people in killing the false prophets. Then he heard the sound of the abundance of rain. Afterwards he outran the King’s chariot and horses to the city of Jezreel. Homeboy was on a roll! He had MOMENTUM!

Then Jezabel sent a messenger to threaten him that she would kill him tomorrow. He was so afraid of the threat he didn’t realize that she wasn’t serious. Why send a messenger on Monday to say you’ll be sending the soldiers on Tuesday? Just send the soldiers. Elijah did exactly what she wanted him to do. He got out of the place where God wanted him to be.

So where are you supposed to be today? Are you in the place God called you to? Did someone say you were too old to start a new career; too old to complete that degree or start a degree program? Did someone say don’t say anything, it’ll only make things worse. Well don’t let people’s words stop you momentum. Feel free to tell (not ask) them to keep their opinion too themselves, then tell yourself what you need to hear to get you momentum kicking again.

The Blessing of Being Overlooked

2008-12-16T11:37:00.007-05:00

Have you ever spent a considerable amount of time in one place; doing a good job, being faithful, working as unto the Lord, and feeling overlooked. Have you ever felt like a spectator, not fully participating in the game of life, just standing on the sidelines watching as cliques segue into networking, and networking into opportunities that constantly pass you by? Have you ever gone through all this, feeling overlooked ending each day knowing that God has gifted you for something and this aint it. Have you ever asked, when God when? Why them and not me? Why I am I constantly being overlooked? You have?!?!?! Good.

This is a scenario that plays itself out in families, corporations, and churches every day. As miserable as it can feel, there's a blessing in being overlooked. One fella I know of had a job that was apparently beneath his older brothers, so he did the job by himself. Even his earthly father overlooked him. Huh? Yes I'm talking about David. When Samuel arrived to anoint the new King of Israel he invited Jesse "and his sons" to a sacrifice, but Jesse didn't bother to send for David. He overlooked him.

Maybe he didn't know that David had killed a Lion because he overlooked him. Maybe he didn't know how David killed a bear because he overlooked him. Maybe he didn't realize how good a shepherd David was because many times, when you're good at something, no one notices how good you are until you mess-up are leave. You're good, but overlooked.

While David was keeping the sheep God was keeping him. When David the shepherd wondered if anyone cared about him, the Lord spoke up and said I am your shepherd, you shall not want. When David felt like everyone else was prospering and even asked, "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me", God spoke to him and inspired him to WRITE, "thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head", and then he WROTE, "the LORD sustained me", and then he WROTE "I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people". He was even inspired to WRITE to his enemies, "know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him."

David was called in from the field and anointed in front of his father, brothers, and anyone else that overlooked him, then ended up right back in the field with the sheep, possibly wondering what the anointing was for if he was going to be hanging out with sheep. But, when the appointed time came, God overlooked everyone that had overlooked David and plucked him out of the fields because he knew him. All that time being overlooked was time spent drawing closer to God. So close that he would be called a man after God's own heart.

Obviously the gift and the anointing were (are) not enough. Humility that only comes from an intimate relationship with God, that's strengthened by relying on him, in Faith, through unpleasant and seemingly unfair circumstances, must first be developed. This type of relationship can't be developed in cliques, but in fact can only be developed when you dare to do you. No matter how un-cool, no matter how lonely, no matter how long the odds of success, no matter who misunderstands, and no matter how overlooked. It's a blessing to be overlooked by man. It means God has you right where he needs you......for now.

"There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests - look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
Luke 6:26 (The Message Bible)

I Know Some Happily Married Single Women

2008-10-31T00:35:00.000-04:00

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.(Proverbs 18:22 NIV)

Have you ever been walking along, minding your own business, and looked down and found a quarter, nickel, dime, or a dollar? Was it your touch that made it whatever it was you found or was it that before you even arrived on the scene? So maybe, just maybe, fellas looking for a good wife should try to find a woman that’s already in a marital relationship. No not polygamy. Try to find a woman that loves God and shows it. She flatters him with praise. She lets her hair down in worship. She’s open and honest with him about her expectations of him. She’s so faithful to Him, that she won’t show even her love for you in a way that would bring him pain, but insists upon you sharing in the love she has for him. She’s not conceited, but she is, “confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in her will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6). She is virtuous, which in Hebrew means she has the strength of an army (yet cloaked in femininity).

Lastly, she wants a man that’s not intimidated by all that her first TRUE love (God is Love) has endowed her with, but understands and embraces the package of gifts she is because of Her God.

The Second Time Around

2008-10-22T12:44:00.004-04:00

They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the hillside home of Abinadab. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab's sons, were guiding the cart. David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments – lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the Ark of God. Then the LORD's anger blazed out against Uzzah for doing this, and God struck him dead beside the Ark of God.

II Samuel 6:3,5-7

"After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the Tent of Meeting. Numbers 4:15

In this story David is returning the Ark of the covenant to the land of Gods people, and he’s doing so with a great deal of fanfare; after all this is no doubt what God wants, but as the ark is being pulled on a new cart made for the occasion the Ark gets unsteady because of the oxen and Uzzah reaches out to catch it. He’s struck down and the trip is delayed for 3 months while David was angry.

The problem in this case wasn’t what they were doing, but in how it was being done. God wanted the Ark (his presence) to be carried by men not animals and a cart. The strange thing is that after Uzzah died, they CARRIED THE ARK to another person’s house where it sat for three months. Now how frustrating yet humbling is that? YOU have to give YOUR blessing to someone else in the same way YOU were supposed to secure it. The good thing is that God’s will never changed and what He has for you is still for you. Ooops! I mean what he had for David was still for David. After a short delay David and the Israelites took advantage of an opportunity to get it right.

So if you know anybody who’s been mourning the apparent loss of what they Know is from God, let them know all hope is not lost. It’s still theirs....They’ll get it…the next time......His way.

Accountability Quotes

2008-10-18T16:39:00.005-04:00

"Accountability breeds response-ability."

Stephen R. Covey

"It is not only what we do,

but also what we do not do,

for which we are accountable."

Moliere

"Life is not accountable to us.

We are accountable to life."

Denis Waitley

"I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself."

Walter Anderson

"I am not bound to win

but I am bound to be true;

I am not bound to succeed

but am bound to live up

to what light I have."

Abraham Lincoln

“A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for injury.”

John Stuart Mill

Be A Reconciler

2008-10-04T06:20:00.011-04:00