Tag: United States

Posted in Life Inspiration, Political, Uncategorized

Where Would You Land This Thanksgiving?

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Where Would You Land This Thanksgiving?
The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth, oil on canvas by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe (1914). public domain
The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth, oil on canvas by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe (1914). public domain

Pretty much on a daily basis, at some point, I throw my hands in the air and ask God why my country is governed by idiots? And then I remember that they were elected, and we are the idiots. I’m still at a complete loss of understanding why anyone thinks we’re going in the right direction. Liberal or not, Democrat, Republican, Independent, Mountain or Valley Party (Yes I know there’s not a Valley Party, but there should be, because who better to argue with the Mountain than a Valley) And we know that politics is all about argument not solution. My way or highway. Truth?

And so it was that our nation began on the same principal.

pilgrims

A brief study of the original settlers, and I mean brief, because my attention span is not long enough to study history at length, proves that we’re no better or worse than the day we landed. The Jamestown Settlers and those of Plymouth Rock pre-defined the nation. There were those who sought the world and those that sought God and today we have the same dilemma.

Joshua told Israel in Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

The flesh side of me would like to make this a political rant this morning, but the condition of America doesn’t fall in Washington’s bailiwick. It is we who are accountable for not telling them Who it is we serve. Instead we’ve allowed them to dictate to us that we are in service to them; even though we all know from historical truths that that was never the way government was intended to work.

My study of the contrast of original settlers spurred me on to hang on ever so tight to my Lord and the foundational truths of the Bible. If I am to survive this world on the winning side I must

  • Seek God not wealth, He’ll provide your needs
  • Keep my family together, God gave them to you and you’ll answer to Him for your stand
  • Remember that God gives the increase, He can also cause a decrease
  • Godly cooperation and collaboration is key to the church’s success. There is no I in team.
  • Troubles will come, Stay together regardless
  • Don’t play church, It is not a social club or political party, it’s a relationship with Christ and your ticket to the New World!
  • God’s plan is providential, He opens and closes all doors of potential
  • In all things, thank God, not vessels

As we embark on this Thanksgiving week, whose side are you on? That’s not a political question, it’s a faith question. Are you thankful for the ship or the Savior? Living in America is great but we’ve lived in the land of the free for so long and free will has gotten us into a heap of trouble. We need to spend a little time remembering the foundational truths that allowed the Pilgrims to survive and will help us live successfully in the world today

Posted in Uncategorized

The Potter’s Shed

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Potter’s Shed

Jeremiah 18:11 ~ Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

The Word of God preceding this verse are those of the clay on the Potter’s wheel. (see Jer. 18:1-6) I love that story! As an artist I love the creation process of a piece of art. It breaks my heart though when I invest a good amount of time into a project and then goof it up. From that point forward my heart has left the project and my “*mango” personality has already started envisioning my next project.

That is not God’s way.

When God puts a piece of clay on the Potter’s wheel he begins shaping it and pulling away the unnecessary portions of clay and sculpting it into a one of a kind art piece ready to be fired in the kiln. If an abnormality appears in the vessel, He removes it and begins again to form that piece of art. Goodness gracious how many time has God had to reshape me into that abstract form and begin turning me again into the vessel you see today. Which quite frankly is always one step from having to be returned to that wheel and begun again.

But in verse 11, God is passed the Potter’s wheel. I think Israel has gotten on His last nerve again and He says to them “I frame evil against you.” Perhaps it’s the Potter’s shed. When you frame up a building it means you’re putting down roots, you plan on staying a while. It was a final warning from God saying, (to Shari quote it) “I’ve laid the framework to box you in. If you continue to stay on this path, it will not end well and you’ll be there a while. But if you choose to turn back I’ll stop the construction.”

Every day I see evil, but every day I see good. I believe it is “that goodness” (and only in the sense of spiritual goodness) that God has not finished the Potter’s shed. He sees our work. He sees a remnant of believers that are willing to stay on the wheel and conform for Him. But… if things continue going in the direction they’re going; if Americans continue to keep their mouths shut while our government makes a mockery out of the constitution and the men and women who have died for it, I fear construction on the shed will begin again soon.

I am an optimist, I am a visionary. I want to see the good and I believe in my heart that our nation could turn back. But as a child of God I have to be real.  I have write what is on my heart this morning and it is the same warning that Jeremiah gave the children of Israel is due to us. Hop on the Potter’s wheel this morning and shout “I’m here Lord! Mold me.”

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? When I speak of my *Mango personality it refers to a seminar that I do to help churches and businesses work more cohesively as a team. If everyone were optimist and there were no pessimist, there would not be balance. So, how about it? Are you lookin’ for the good, or focused on the evil? Either way, hop on the wheel!