Friday, February 8, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
It Takes a Child - Author Unknown
We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, “Hi there.” He pounded his fat baby hands on the high–chair tray. His eyes were wide with excitement and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin. He then, wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man with a tattered rag of a coat; dirty, greasy and worn. His pants were baggy with a zipper at half–mast and his toes poked out of would–be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.
We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. “Hi there, babyŸ hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,” the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, “What do we do?”
Erik continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, hi there.” Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby.
Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, “Do ya know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek–a–boo.” Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid–row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. “Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,” I prayed.
As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to side-step him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's “pick–me–up” position.
Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man's.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor – – gently, so gently, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back.
No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.
I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms for a moment, and then his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, "You take care of this baby."
Somehow I managed, "I will," from a throat that contained a stone.
He pried Erik from his chest -- unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, "God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift."
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me."
I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking -- "Are you willing to share your son for a moment?" -- when He shared His for all eternity.
The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, "To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children."
Monday, January 14, 2013
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of the law. Psalms 119:18
For the Christian, there is nothing more pressing than seeing reality 
God's way. Seeing life God's way is not an option that we consider for our own benefit; but to the glory of God, even if we don't understand in the given moment.
God's way. Seeing life God's way is not an option that we consider for our own benefit; but to the glory of God, even if we don't understand in the given moment.
God's perspective on life is the driving instinct of the Believer and will always stimulate affection for an unswerving love for the Word of God. Only Christians who acknowledge their life is Jesus Christ will fervently and faithfully abide as committed doers of the Word and cannot be displaced by another kind of usefulness.
A growing believer understands the importance of a biblical perception of God's will. They find themselves disciplined enough to strip themselves of all that their imagination avails them. We yield to the essential discipline of the Christian life of saying YES to the influence of the Holy Spirit. The alternative is very unfortunate. It is not unusual for Christians to habitat in darkness (a self-willed motive)... Yet, a Believer yielded to the Holy Spirit cares only to glorify God. Daniel's consecration stood out distinctly like a towering mountain peak. Why is this? How did he ascend to these heights? What brought him so near to God? What made him so Christ-like? The answer is easy: Daniel believed God... he saw life as God demonstrated it. Thus, he prayed much, he prayed strong. He asked, he sought, and he knocked and there was God. The Lord swayed Daniel's intellect, enriched his emotions and filled and enlarged his heart. And all this was so because Daniel was preeminently a man with an eternal vision.
Seeing reality God's way takes a tremendous amount of discipline. It is the sense of worth that we gain from doing so that compels us to a habit of obedience regardless of what we see or don't see with our naked eye. We perceive that there is one reality that changes not: The Word of God.
Seeing reality God's way takes a tremendous amount of discipline. It is the sense of worth that we gain from doing so that compels us to a habit of obedience regardless of what we see or don't see with our naked eye. We perceive that there is one reality that changes not: The Word of God.
Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger
Monday, December 17, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus... Romans 8:1
One of the most difficult Christian's for God to influence is the one
who will not forgive themselves. They remain intimidated by a past-experience and enslaved to the post-experience of guilt. The Gospel of Jesus Christ demands that we beware of any enslaving thought that would provoke a continued indulgence of self-condemnation after one has repented of their sin (Romans 8:1). For one To forgive themselves, they must bring every condemning and condescending thought into captivity to Christ Jesus and begin to think scripturally about the death of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5). The only reason why God is justified to forgive sin is the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.
who will not forgive themselves. They remain intimidated by a past-experience and enslaved to the post-experience of guilt. The Gospel of Jesus Christ demands that we beware of any enslaving thought that would provoke a continued indulgence of self-condemnation after one has repented of their sin (Romans 8:1). For one To forgive themselves, they must bring every condemning and condescending thought into captivity to Christ Jesus and begin to think scripturally about the death of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5). The only reason why God is justified to forgive sin is the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.
The death of Jesus Christ for our sins was necessary. For we cannot secure the blessing of salvation by virtue of our own righteousness. Either we receive the GIFT of salvation FREELY, or do without it. God's forgiveness is not hindered in the least for all who are in Christ Jesus (1 John 2:1,2). No matter how you feel, no matter what accusations you may wrestle with from within or from without, Jesus Christ will never condemn those He purchased with His blood (period).
Knowing the fact that Jesus Christ is our Savior and friend, will keep us from over-reacting to over-whelming thoughts of guilt. The world's answer to guilt, pressure and suffering is to look for someone to blame, develop a deep desire to escape, deny the problem, or fall into depression. These are not habits we can afford to live with. Outlandish odds will press against you.
No matter what is happening in your life, Christ is eager to forgive and restore. Know that there is certain entrance to a renewed fellowship with your heavenly Father. Your relationship to Christ makes forgiveness desirable and beneficial. Salvation is Christ Crucified; God Satisfied; The Believer Justified.
Knowing the fact that Jesus Christ is our Savior and friend, will keep us from over-reacting to over-whelming thoughts of guilt. The world's answer to guilt, pressure and suffering is to look for someone to blame, develop a deep desire to escape, deny the problem, or fall into depression. These are not habits we can afford to live with. Outlandish odds will press against you.
No matter what is happening in your life, Christ is eager to forgive and restore. Know that there is certain entrance to a renewed fellowship with your heavenly Father. Your relationship to Christ makes forgiveness desirable and beneficial. Salvation is Christ Crucified; God Satisfied; The Believer Justified.
Sincerely, Dr. Arthur Belanger
Cast your burdens on The Lord Jesus Christ
Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. -Jesus Christ
Friday, December 7, 2012
The truth about the new age
The "new age" is a religious mechanism to change our worldview into an eastern mystical worldview...You give up your mind even though you don't realize you're giving up your mind. -Caryl Matrisciana.
Yoga or Hinduism is the basis of the n
Yoga or Hinduism is the basis of the n
ew age and the father of the new age is satan. It is a doorway that opens you up to demonic possession, as do other new age practices such as meditation, chanting, tarot cards, reiki,etc...There are deceiving spirits out there that will try to fool you into believing they are angels of light bringing you closer to God. They pull you in and trap you in darkness. Don't fall for the lies. Only Jesus is the way to God. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." -John 14:6 I was deeply involved in these and other occultic practices for years so if you want to talk, I am here ♥
He is waiting for you...
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The joy of the Lord is my strength
"God, you are my God and I will ever praise you." God you are so beautifully amazing and I am filled with awe at the wonders of your Love. Thank you for being merciful, gracious and steadfast in your love for us. Thank you for saving us with your redeeming blood. Thank you for being the True Vine and the Living Water. I love you and am humbly grateful to be your servant ♥
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
The Way of Jesus Christ
Christian Economics:
If we, as the Body of Christ, live this way, as demonstrated in the Bible, God's Holy Word, there will be no need among us, as God's ways will be fulfilled.
Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-35
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles 'feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
If we, as the Body of Christ, live this way, as demonstrated in the Bible, God's Holy Word, there will be no need among us, as God's ways will be fulfilled.
Acts 2:44-45; Acts 4:32-35
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles 'feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
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