Wanting others to do the work

I know I have blogged several times about 2 Chronicles 7:14. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." I have thought about this again since yesterday.  I know this is what has to happen if we want to fix our selves and our country. What I see in myself is wanting others to do the seeking and praying and turning from their wicked ways.  I want to see the results, but am I willing to do the work?  I believe this scripture and I quote it often. I believe God sees in the lives of his people and that is why turning from our wicked ways is so important.  God wants to be first in our lives, he wants us to look to him for our help. I see it happening again, liberals think they so badly need a liberal President to keep the liberal agenda moving. Conservatives feel it is the last chance before our country has lost so many of the freedoms we hold dear.  Who is right? I do know that God wants to be first in our lives. God wants us to seek him first. We have such busy lives, God is an after thought for most of us. If we go to church on Sunday, we feel we are doing pretty good. God wants relationship, He wants to be the priority in our lives. Until that happens in the lives of Christians, I do not see things changing. I need to find a place daily to seek my God, to search my heart and see what is displeasing in my heart and life to my creator. I must not wait for others to do the work in their lives, I must start with me. The action of the Supreme Court has added another national sin to our National sin of abortion. Did we daily get on our knees and pray for our Justices while we knew the Supreme Court was pondering this issue? There is a spiritual battle raging and it will be fought on our knees. Make no mistake it is spiritual battle. You can see it in the comments of those that have not committed their hearts and lives to God. You know who is in control of their hearts and lives by the words that come out of their mouth. This battle can only be fought on our knees, the souls of our families are at stake.  We cannot afford to over look  the part of this scripture that says turn from their wicked ways. We see a church that lives no different from the world. I am not advocating a return to legalism, but when we know something is contrary to scripture and it is a constant sin in our lives, it just seems God is not first place. It seems we would want to be on our knees saying God help me to overcome this sin. I know all have sinned, but should sin have a place of daily residence in our lives? I see where men who claim to be christian can talk so casually about their girlfriends as if that is the norm to have a wife and girlfriend? Some will speak about seeking God anyplace, we don't need to be in church, God can be found anywhere, and that is true. But when they don't join with the Saints on a regular basis are they being fed spiritually? How long can we go with out spiritual nourishment? Is God at the proper place in our lives if we can so casually not be assembled together with other Christians on a regular basis? Those that claim the name Christian must take an inside look. We must do the work in our own lives. God bless, LVZ.

National Hero

There are still many in this Nation that do not understand or do not want to believe any thing bad about our first black President. To them he is a hero. Many still look to the Clintons as heros also. I believe many are waking up the the dangers we face in America. God is our hope, the more I see happening to lead this Nation down a wrong path, the more I believe we need God's attention. I think many conservatives have their hope in Donald Trump. He is a man that takes action, but not a Godly man. Many may have their hope in Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, or Huckabee or one of the many others. My personal favorite is Ben Carson because I do believe he is a God fearing man. Even if one of our conservative favorites makes it to the runoff, they are going to have to deal with a Nation with Supreme Court Justices, the majority of them,  do not fear God, Many many Congressman and Senators are of the same mindset as Obama and Clinton. Close to fifty percent of the population has a liberal mindset.  We can argue conservative and or Godly values tell we are blue in the face and we will not change their thinking. We need to face it. the only one that can save us or this country is God himself. Unless we understand that and take action to gets God's attention, not a single one of these good men is going to fix our country.  The Gay and Lesbian community is strong and they will fight tooth and nail against any one who comes in to repeal or reverse the actions that have happened. We did not take it serious enough when abortion became law, we should have gotten on our knees then and reversed the trend. We didn't, times were good and even though we didn't like it we figured we'd get our chance with another president or more conservative chief justices. We didn't fall on our faces before a Holy God and repent of our National Sin. Today I heard 55 million abortions. The shedding of blood requires atonement, requires payment. 55 million is a lot to atone for. Now sexual sin has become a right in our nation and celebrated by our President and many many liberals. We will not fix this through a President. It is going to take action from God to turn things around.  There are so many Liberals that do not understand, for one thing they do not believe in a Sovereign God. We are not going to change their mindset. Talk to almost any person that votes and they have a favorite in mind. there are over twenty men and women running for the highest office in our land. Talk to our votes and even Christians, they have their hope in this or that candidate. They may say their hope is in God, but what do they talk about, how their favorite candidate needs to win to change things around. I hate to be a voice of gloom and doom, but it is not going to happen. If we do not begin to fall on our faces before a holy and Sovereign God, it is going to get worse. If God sends judgement on this Nation, we will all feel it but it will be to late.  There is so much to pay for, it is the next generations that are going to feel the full brunt of God's judgement. We all will face God on Judgement day, but as a nation it is our Children and Grandchildren that are going to go through hell before it gets better. I am in the last half of my life, I pray for God's return, I do not want to face his judgement on this nation.  I do not know the number of my days, but if I live long, I believe I will experience some of God's judgement on this nation. We have not learned from history and are doomed to repeat it.  May God have mercy on our souls. I think the key part of 2 Chronicles 7:14 is the part that says turn from our wicked ways. I believe many Christians do not look at their lives as part of the problem. A sovereign God looked over time and sees our hearts, he put that in that verse for a reason. He sees into the darkest corners of our heart, and he knows. We, Christians need to take a serious inside look. Yes all have sinned, we know that, but we always look at the other person's sin and think it is worse than our own. We are OK, we pray, we go to church, we do good deeds. We think we are OK, but we are not. I have heard the call to repentance by several sources , so I believe that is confirmation for what I am saying. We as a Nation need to repent, We as Christians need to take a serious long hard look inside. I get caught up in things like the confederate flag debate, political debates, but we need God, not more debate, not a conservative or liberal or libertarian or tea party hero.  We need God and his grace. God needs to be our National Hero again. God bless, LVZ.

the tenth commandment

You shall not covet. From the ten commandment short list. In Exodus 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's." As Pastor Wolfson says, this commandment requires a heart change. Many times we look at the commandments and think I am not committing adultery, I am not stealing, I am not bearing false witness, etc. But Jesus in the New Testament put a different light on many of these. We say we have not murdered, but have been angry with our brother. We say we have not committed adultery, but when that beauty walks by, we start thinking. Or how about gossiping, or exaggerating, flattery when we look at thou shalt not bear false witness. We need a heart change, we need to have the commandments written on our hearts. That  only happens as a result of committing our life to Jesus. He is the one that can change our hearts and write these commandments on our hearts. This commandment, how do you keep it? the rich young man that was asking Jesus, what must I do to inherit eternal life. He had kept the commandments from his youth, but God was not his God, his money was. Jesus recognized he had another God. He lived a pretty good life, all in all. But living a good life is not enough, we need to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Accepting Jesus is the only way to obtain eternal life. Good works don't do it. We may have good works as a result of a heart change, but good works without that heart change does not buy us anything.  We come to Jesus just as we are. Like the prodigal son, coming back from the pig pens, having wasted his inheritance. He came to his father in his rags and filth. Like our heavenly father he accepts us just as we are, and he changes our heart from that point on. Looking at each one of the commandments made me think and reevaluate some things in my life. God is the only one that fixes hearts. He desires relationship with us. Extends grace freely to any who will receive his grace. Man I wish I could explain things as good as Pastor Wolfson. He gave me much to think about. God bless, LVZ.

Symbols

The Confederate Flag is a symbol, but so was the noose on Duke campus.  It was carelessly left after the student went on about his day or so the story goes. The student apologized  and is eligible to return next semester. Both are negative symbols in the South. No one, even the student denies the negative effect the noose had on the Duke Community. I hate that I ever commented on the Confederate Flag. I have never received or read so many negative hateful words as I have over that symbol. It is just a symbol, but to many it represents a time of oppression. What it brought out that bothers me more than anything is what must lurk in the hearts of someone who can speak so many hateful words.  No concern for how it might be negatively looked at by another person. Respect for the dead, the Confederate Soldiers that fought under that flag. They are honored in the same cemetery as many Union Soldiers.  It seems to me our country did good in the aftermath of the civil war in that respect. I just can't get over the amount of hate that spilled forth after 150 years. I saw the grace that the families of the slain in Charleston extended towards the shooter. Compare that to the hate that spills forth from supporters of being able to keep a symbol of a dark time in our country. It shows a heart condition. Taking down the symbol will not change a single heart. If hate was present in the heart before, it will be there after also. I hope I did not come off as bad as the supporters of the flag did to me.  I formed an opinion that the Confederate Flag should be located to a museum. I still think that way, I am not changing my opinion. As a citizen of this country and the State of Mississippi, I feel I have a right to voice an opinion.  I just am overwhelmed by the hateful words that debate brought forth. What is in the heart comes out of the mouth.  "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Luke 6:45 I think back on that exchange and hope my words did not speak hateful words. It would show bad things in my heart. God is the only one that can change a heart. May he (God)  work in mine. Let the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O God. Grace extended to the shooter in such a short time after the incident shows the work of God in a heart. What do hateful words after 150 years show in the heart of the Confederate Flag supporters?
Who is at work in that heart? Grace looks so much more attractive, may I give that same grace as the families of the victims from Charleston, South Carolina.  Hateful words are not attractive, grace and forgiveness is. God bless, LVZ.

holding true

How do I hold true to my beliefs in this changing world? I try to take a stand for what I believe to be a right and wrong issue and it becomes a face book debate where hateful words are spoken. How do we honor the government that seems to be going against God's word. Romans 13:1 "Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God." Many fear it will become a hate crime to speak Bible truth. Our Supreme court just ruled in favor of same sex marriage which is contrary to God Word.  How do we continue to love the sinner and still hold true to God's word?  What if it does become against the law to speak our beliefs on certain issues. The right / wrong debate I just went through on a minor issue will be nothing in comparison. Even in Bible days the Apostle Paul and others faced similar situations. They were told not to preach the Gospel anymore but continued and ended in jail.  Paul received stripes, Steven was stoned to death. How will we obey this scripture when the laws are contrary to God's word? Many ridicule God's word, because God is a long suffering God. We do not see immediate justice for our sins. Many times God gives space to repent before he takes action. He is a merciful God. He is a sovereign God. many would scoff at the warnings given by God's word, because God's justice is not immediate. But make no mistake, we do face God at the end. It is God  we must please. Politically correct is not going to matter, how do we line up with God's word. Godly correct will matter. We can change our laws, we can call it good. What have you done with Jesus on that last day is all that will matter. God is sovereign, he gets the last word. He gives us the number of our days. We do not know the number of our days, only God knows. We, the church must not slip, we must look within. 2 Chronicles 7:14. We must continue to seek God. God bless, LVZ.

I feel sick to my stomach

I have just been in one of the worst exchanges over a controversial issue on face book. I think it is important to note that the opinion of one man,  myself or another does not represent the whole state of Mississippi. I have never seen so much hate spew forth in a simple difference of opinion (over the confederate flag). I think I understand why southern Blacks are so fearful, but then on the other hand, the hateful remarks would seem to be many because a hateful person would have like friends. There would be many many more that have never seen the hateful remarks. I think it is important to remember that. The friends of this individual would probably be of like mind. It is like winding up an alarm clock and not being able to shut it off. I think it is justifiable to want to put the confederate flag in a museum. The hateful words expressed in this exchange have only solidified my opinion against this symbol of hate and oppression. There is nothing as freeing as being able to admit your wrong and also to be able to forgive. I saw a few supporters of the confederate flag write words of hate and never forget. The civil war was over 100 years ago. The oppression of blacks started to end with the civil rights movement of the 60's. Perhaps not all blacks have moved on, but there are a few whites that seem to still spew forth hate and archaic views, besides the killer from Charleston, S.C. I felt sick to my stomach as I read hateful word after word and was sorry I was ever involved in such a hateful exchange of words. My God forgive us as Americans of our mistreatment of others. May our many Brothers and Sisters of African American decent also forgive just as Christ forgives. May we all display Christs love. May God use this tragedy to bring us together as a nation. The tragedy I speak of is the killings in Charleston, South Carolina. This is not a liberal or conservative cause. It is a right or wrong cause and may we get it right.  I wanted Blacks to forgive and forget the wrongs done to them, and here we have Whites that refuse to forgive and forget wrongs from over 100 years ago, long before they were born. Forgiving for a Christian is not an option.  God bless, LVZ.

Another Confederate Flag blog

From the Huffington Post “In the late 1940’s, the flag was adopted as a symbol of the Dixiecrats – a political party devoted to, among other things, maintaining segregation. They also opposed President Harry S. Truman’s proposals to instate anti-discrimination laws and make lynching a federal crime.”        

“[John M.] Coski writes that although the Dixiecrats soon faded into obscurity, their campaigns ‘made the flag a fixture in places where it had only been a novelty before.’Coski gives the example of the University of Mississippi, which he notes rarely used the battle flag as a symbol prior to 1948.”

Coski says, “the university began heavily incorporating the symbol into school activities and events a few months after students protested against Truman’s civil rights proposals.”

“In 1963 … Alabama Gov. George Wallace raised the flag over the state Capitol in protest against desegregation.”

“[The Georgia State Senate Research Office] found that the integration of the battle flag into the Georgia state flag in 1956 was racially motivated.”
Following is statements of a few states why they wanted to seceded:

South Carolina

“…States north of that line have united in the election of a man to the high office of President of the United States, whose opinions and purposes are hostile to slavery.”

Mississippi

“Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery—the greatest material interest of the world.”

Louisiana

“The people of the slave holding States are bound together by the same necessity and determination to preserve African slavery.”

Texas

“… the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind…”

John S. Mosby (Speaking of the Civil War?) 

“I’ve never heard of any other cause than slavery.”

This history from the Young Turks on Facebook. 

When I first blogged about this Confederate Flag Issue I did not know about the Southern States reasons for wanting to secede.  Confederate Flag supporters will tell you it was about states rights. They will tell you about Northern aggression. They will tell you only 10% of the citizens owned slaves. They will tell you didn't the slaves have free housing. They will tell you the slaves had it better over here than in Africa. They will tell you anything except slavery was wrong.  They will tell you about Irish slaves, they will tell you it was blacks that sold blacks to slave traders etc. Any thing except slavery is wrong. 
If you form an opinion that the confederate flag needs to be in a museum and not flying on state owned property, you will then be called a hater of southern people, told you are trashing their families. It really saddens me to see the hatred in the hearts of people. This could have been a nice gesture towards healing in our nation, instead it seems to bring out all the nut cases.  LVZ, just an opinion.

Foot note:
I think it is important to note not everyone in the south White or Black thinks like the opinions given on face book over this issue. Just like the nutcase that shot 9 innocent people in Charleston, they are few and far between. 

If you have an Altar in your life, your life can become altered.

I thought about this and I try to pray every day. The Bible tells us to cast all our cares on Him for he careth for you. I remember a friend I call Big Bob. He was an alcoholic, and I didn't associate with him because of his life style. But many years had gone by, I went through a divorce and ran into Big Bob again. I had moved because of the divorce and was attending a different church. Here was Big Bob the former alcoholic leading a recovery group for addictions at this church. It was so amazing the remember the before picture I had of Big Bob and now the after picture after God had altered his life. This happens at the cross when you give your life over to Jesus and allow him to change your life. It was such a dramatic change, Big Bob the alcoholic / Drunk was now a Deacon and recovery group facilitator. I have seen divorcees lead divorce recovery groups, and many times when  God changes us he also uses us to help others in the same condition. If you will find an Altar in your life, you will find your life altered by God. I have seen it over and over again. God bless, LVZ.

Confederate Flag issue OPINION

You listen to arguments for and against removing the flag. Both sides makes sense. What is the right thing to do? I lean one way but is it really the right way? I tend to think it needs to go. When I hear arguments for keeping it, and the remarks are hateful, I tend to think even more it needs to go. People are more important than the symbol. The argument is it was never about slavery in the first place. Only 10% of the population owned slaves. At first that sounded good, but how many people abort babies? Is it about the percentages or is it about what is right and wrong? You almost think Southerners would try again to become separate if they thought they could win. The South had a different idea about states rights and they lost the war. So the more arguments I hear about keeping the confederate flag, the more I am convinced it needs to go. Even if it was only 10% of the population that owned slaves, it was still wrong. I can't get away from the fact that I always considered the confederate Flag to be partially about slavery. We have oppressed a minority population, we have had racist individuals fly that flag even before the South Carolina shooting. KKK for one. The argument is they stole the flag, so it still has that connotation. This southern thinking is separatist thinking and it is not healthy for a country that is already hurting from incidents like Trayvon Martin. Ferguson incident was all wrong, they were making a thug to be a saint and dishonoring the police officer that really was in a fight for his life.  Even Jessie Jackson can't seem to see the light of day and is still talking racist stuff. In each of these incidents, if the victim had not fought, he'd still be alive.  Even the man shot wrongfully in the back would be alive if he hadn't resisted.  Are our positions doing more to heal the divisions in our country or even causing more division?  Our country is more divided today than it has been in thirty years or more.  We need to fix this? Is that symbol more important than unity? The South lost, they need to get over it. If Japan had won in world war II, do you think the Stars and Stripes would still be flying? I doubt it. I don't think Japan would have come in and rebuilt us as we did them. The south needs to surrender their flag, they lost the war. If it is about States Rights and not about slavery, they still lost the war and the Confederate flag still needs to go. The South lost, get over it. The flag would be a good museum artifact about the war. It should not be flying.  Their arguments make me think more and more it should not be flying.  Just my opinion, LVZ.

The ninth Commandment

Can anyone really obey the ten commandments? In listening to Bill Wolfson on the ten commandments, I have much to think about. In the ninth commandment  "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor". As Bill says, these ten commandments are the 10 biggest areas of struggle in our lives. The law was our schoolmaster, the law showed us we failed. The law needs to be written on our hearts. But don't we all struggle with all the commandments? This commandment: are you keeping this commandment when you gossip? How much negative stuff do we (I use the word "we" to include myself) pass on that we see on the internet and we have no idea if it is true or not. We pass it on. It might be negative about Obama or Hillary and we don't know its true. Perhaps your a liberal and you saw the post that claims George Bush converted to Islam, and passed it on.  How about flattery, Bill described it as something you would say to a persons face that you would not say behind their back.  Let me qualify my blog for a minute. I do want to improve my life. I listen to Pastors,  teachers and others expounding the word of God that I can learn from it and add it to my life. Blogging helps me think about the sermon I heard or perhaps a Sunday School teacher said something that caught my attention. Maybe it was a devotional that I read that touched something in me. I don't feel I am trying to steal their material. I am talking about it and learning and trying to apply it to my life. I sinned, I have had issues with these commandments. Have I ever held back part of what I knew to give a different slant to something I said? Yes. Have I ever exaggerated? Yes, again. Have I ever gossiped and passed on something I didn't really know if it was truth or not? Yes. Bearing false witness, or slandering. I remember vividly the time I passed on an internet story about Bill Clinton. I had no idea if it was true. I didn't like Bill and still don't. The story went this way, Bill was talking about his faith and stated his favorite scripture was God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son.... and gave the scripture reference as John 16:3 instead of John 3:16. John 16:3 says something about because they do not know him. But I finally realized, this had been sent about Al Gore, Bill Clinton, John Kerry, and even George Bush. It is one of those internet stories someone makes up and passes it along to make a person they don't like to look bad. Then the story gets changed with new names the next election and we pass it on. Recently their was a story about Obama and cattle guards, I think this is the same thing a made up story to make Obama look bad. I didn't pass it on and replied that I didn't even think it was true. I am not an Obama fan, but I love Jesus, and I want to try and be like him. Jesus would not pass on a false story. Something to think about, bearing false witness is more than what happens in a court room under oath. The commandments need to be written on our hearts. God bless, LVZ.

The Confederate Flag

This is a blog that is just my opinion. The Confederate Flag needs to go. The Confederate Flag that flies on state property in South Carolina needs to be taken down. It is not the south Carolina State flag. It represents a time in our past of oppression. Some say it was about state rights, maybe that is so, but it also is a symbol of that oppression. I also see it as an issue that will be divisive. But in a time when our country is being divided along racial lines, now would be a good time to make an effort to heal that division. It is just a symbol, it can be place in a museum with other artifacts of war. Also Mississippi state flag needs to be changed to exclude the confederate  flag portion of their state flag. You can call it a part of their history and say it honors the men who fought for states rights, but the first thing I think of is slavery when I see that symbol. Under Jeb Bush, Florida quietly removed their confederate flag. It seems South Carolina could do the same. Part of the states rights issue that was being fought over if I remember my history, was the South wanted to keep slaves. That means that flag in addition to states rights represents that dark period of slavery in our history. It seems South Carolina's flag should be no big deal, because it is not the state flag.I am afraid it is going to be a divisive issue and we need to come together out of respect for black people and just remove it and put it in a museum where artifacts of history are kept. Mississippi needs to change their flag. Mississippi has a past history of oppression and has the site where 3 civil rights workers were murdered and buried.  Mississippi is the only state where part of their state flag is the confederate flag . Other states seem to have less obvious references to the Confederate. There is a movement and a face book page to go back to the magnolia flag for Mississippi. I can't seem to separate the confederate flag from the slavery issue in my mind, when I see it that dark period of history comes to mind. Can't we just put the Confederate flag in a museum and leave it  there, where it belongs? It might be a superficial issue but as a symbol of respect for all peoples, lets get rid of it. Think about how few people wanted to get rid on the ten commandment displays and we did that. Lets get rid of the confederate flag and the confederate flag portion of the Mississippi state flag and replace it with a magnolia tree if nothing else. The ten commandments represent a good thing and we could let that go because it offend a few, how much more should we get rid of something that stirs bad memories. God Bless, LVZ.

Work

Work as if it is God you are working for.  Colossians 3:23  "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;  In a sermon on the eighth commandment "Thou shalt not steal", Bill Wolfson used this reference Colossians 3:23 in his sermon, and Ephesians 4:28.  Pastor Wolfson always gives me much to think about when I listen to his sermons. This verse hit home with me. I know there were times on the job I did pretty good and other times not so well. As I thought about this work as unto the Lord, how does that change my work habits? I have a difficulty finishing things, always have. I have a bathroom that still needs work, and my motivation has been terribly lacking. After hearing this sermon of Pastor Wolfson, I thought about this, what if I were doing this for God? On any job we do, would it change the quality of the work we are doing, if we realized that in all we do we are working for God. The Ephesians reference: "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth." Does this change our perspective on how we work? Remember this is on Thou shalt not steal. On my last job, I had a guy on my crew tell me, we are like firemen, we sit around and play cards until there is a fire and then we go to work. I did not have that philosophy, and I tried to get my crew to do things to help our project groups when things were slow. This man for one did not like that. As I think of this scripture, I think I was on the right track, I know the company liked me as a lead, my crew not so much. I started what our ECAT (Electrical Corrective Action Team) group called Leon's Look Ahead. We would take an airplane that had some new development on it that had not reached the factory and compare continuations from one Production Illustration drawing to the next and we would find errors on the drawings. We would initiate fixes and have the drawings corrected before the airplane hit the factory. The reason it worked so well, it saved the planners time and money on their jobs because if it became necessary to fix the airplane in the factory, it would sometimes require removals and re-installation of other equipment to fix the problem. It wasn't a hit with the group owning the drawing, because they had to stop what they were working on and fix these previous drawings. In the overall picture it saved the company time and money. I received a $500 award for this "Leon's Look Ahead". This is in the spirit of not stealing and working as unto the Lord. Quality in the things we do also fits the spirit of this message. I haven't always though about things in this light, but I think it may help me in my motivation. Even in retirement, I need to find things to do as unto the Lord. I try to be involved at church, Nehemiah's Men is one of those things.  Some of our retired men come to church to perhaps paint a wall or replace light bulbs, replace a stage curtain, or what ever we can find to do. When we do not give our employer eight for eight, we are stealing from him. When an employer does not give us a fair wage, he is stealing from us. Work as unto the Lord, perhaps it will help. God Bless, LVZ. 

Earth has no sorrow heaven cannot heal

This phrase was in a song we sang in worship on Sunday morning. I thought about Charleston, South Carolina as we were singing this. I believe this to be true. I feel that perhaps God is doing a work in our Nation. As all this racial stuff has been in the news, I believe many many Christians have begun to pray about the division that is happening. We don't want division, we don't want to go back to pre-civil rights relations. We don't need to take steps backward. We are waking up to the garbage we are being fed through the news media. We are waking up to the manipulative reporting. I believe many Americans have had enough, our younger generation seem to be easily swayed. But it is the old heads, the gray hairs that need to be smart enough to see through media reports that are seemingly intended to incite discord. We need to pray for the healing of our Nation. We need to pray for the next election. It is believed by some that if the black citizens are upset, they will vote Democratic. God's ways are much higher than our ways, and I believe he is still in control. If we look to God, he will fight for us. It may be a gun rights issue to take away the right to bear arms but like Ben Carson said, the heart of the matter is a heart issue. If our hearts are right, there will not be a racial divide. We can cross denominational lines to support one another. I don't doubt that every Church is America is lifting up the Church in Charleston, South Carolina. United we can defeat this evil. That was Satan himself that lifted his ugly head and killed those nine people. Love even your enemies, God's word tells us. How much more the household of faith. The outpouring of love towards Charleston has been awesome. The stand of the Church in Charleston to overcome evil with good and continue to open their doors to any who would come in.  Love wins. Deputy Bryan Woodard says it again and again, I refuse to let hate win and love die. Love across denominational lines, love towards our enemies. Kind words toward those that think differently. That does not mean we lower the standard we live by. We must still look to God word and his meaning on his word. It is not ok, to say I don't know about the old Greek and Hebrew words, this is what this verse means to me. We must still seek out what the word means to God. God is our judge on the last day.  Many times I say this blog is my opinion, but when it comes to talking about the word of God, I must try to understand the word as God intends it to be understood. God is love, God is a healer, he can heal any sorrow earth sends our way. We may not always understand, and be baffled by the things that happen, but God is still on his throne. God's love surpasses human understanding. Grace is unfair, but yet it is extended to all and that makes it fair. God bless, LVZ.

My Blog

Now this is my blog. I am responsible for its content. It is not OK when talking about scripture, to decide how I want to believe. I really need to try and understand how God understands this. The Bible is not meant to be of private interpretation. I know that I see things differently than I did 50 years ago.  Our culture is changing, some of this political correct beliefs do not agree with God's word. Our political parties change their stand on issues to get more votes, to be in power. If you are liberal, don't think it is just the conservatives or Tea Party that does that. If you are conservative, don't think it is just the Democratic Party that does that. I think the major drive is to be in power at whatever it cost. Yes, I hear politicians say some wonderful things, they sound so good. If you are conservative thinking, Donald Trump probably sounds really good right now when we are in our second term of Obama. If you are liberal thinking, Hillary Clinton is probably sounding right on to you. I believe they are both as well as most other candidates, saying what they think will get them the parties nomination and ultimately elected. Political correctness, or Political party platforms do not always agree with God's will. I do not believe God condones abortion. I do not believe God condones illicit sexual behavior that is contrary to his word. I am not sure you can win an election today speaking the truth per God's word. Does the end justify the means? Was Nixon wrong in Watergate? Someone recently said that the NAACP person from Spokane that is under fire for portraying herself as black is more black than Clarence Thomas. Why, they don't agree with Clarence Thomas's position on some issues.  His position on issues does not change his skin color, nor does Rachel Dolezal position on issues change her color. Many of us have had a rude awakening as we became aware of the issues blacks faced in this country. Not every white you see was going around lynching blacks in the 40's and 50's. I do believe things are much better than they were back then.  I believe many instigating these riots or protests if you want to use a nicer word, have a political agenda and not justice in mind. Some of these protest are doing more harm for race relations than any good they think they are doing. In fact I don't think they are accomplishing anything good. We can face our foes united, and defeat them. but divided along racial lines is going to hurt us badly. When we wake up to the deceit we are being fed, it may be to late. Yes, there are crack pots all the time. Name any profession that doesn't have a few bad apples. This negativity towards police is really going to hurt us bad.  Yes we have to deal with the bad police as we find them. The police force is the line between the average citizen and the criminals in our community. We need the police force to be strong. We need to respect them. Take out the bad ones as they show up and put them in jail. There are politicians in jail, ministers in jail, doctors and lawyers in jail. And average citizens like you and me in jail. The fact that there are some bad ones out there like the South Carolina shooter, does that make all citizens bad?  Let us not demonize the police force over bad police, let us not make saints out of law breakers.  Let us try and understand the word of God as God sees it. Ask God for help in understanding his word. Ask God for help in who to vote for. We need God's direction in our lives , in our homes and in our country. We certainly need his direction for the next person we vote in for President. May he be a person of integrity, and not someone who will lie to get your vote. South Carolina: Lets not make this worse than it is. Some are saying it is a terrorist attack only if it is a white person that got killed. That is not true, I heard reports that this qualities as a terrorist attack because the killers motive was political and meant to put terror in the hearts of citizens. Most of all keep in mind the hurting families, the hurting community, and once again our nation has been dealt a serious blow. I do not know of anyone who is not grieving because of this incident. Let us not fan flames of racial hatred because of this, but come together as one nation under God. And God help me to correctly present your word when it is a topic in my blog. I am responsible to God for what I write, may I be a blessing and a positive force. God bless, LVZ.

Thanking God in the accident

1 Thessalonians 5:18  "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Thanking God in the accident sometimes seems just plain stupid. But here is this scripture. In everything give thanks. I look at it and no one got hurt. There were 7 cars damaged and I was the last one. I am thankful that the car ahead of me did not hit the car in front of her. there were 5 cars ahead of her that rear ended each other. I am thankful that she had insurance through the same company, they waived my deductible. Now that is saving my pocket book I understand that. And the big ones as I stated above, as far as I know, no one was hurt. Just sheet metal and plastic.  One thing as I look back, it was not worth it to be in a hurry. I know I can learn from this, was I following to close, yes, I hit someone didn't I. Was I traveling to fast for conditions, probably, it was rush hour and a lot of traffic. Sometimes we get aggravated when people keep pulling in front of us. But don't worry about it, just let them. If I had that attitude, perhaps this accident wouldn't have happened. I took evasive action as much as I could, I tried to pull to the right but I saw blue in my mirror. I hit the right rear of the car ahead of me with my left front. If I had not been able to swerve to the right I think the damage to both cars would have been more. If I had pulled to far to the right , I could have missed the car ahead and caught the car on my right and possibly more damage. So all in all I do have much to be thankful for. God bless, LVZ.

Charleston South Carolina

As disturbing as this shooting was, there is no way to look at it other than a hate crime. It can even be called a terrorist attack. It was designed to terrorize black people.  That was a sick white man that did this. I hate all this stuff that happens to drive even a bigger wedge between white and black. There are many many white people that are disturbed by what this white man did. How do we use this to come together as one people? As Americans? That is what we need to do, like a family where a tragedy drives the family closer together. I know many people that are praying for the community and the families that were touched by this terrible act. May God bring healing to these families and the Charleston community and to our nation as a whole. We need to become one. One lady I listened to today that I would feel uncomfortable sharing because of all the swearing, said some very good things. We need to get away from all the racial comments and teaching hate. She was a black woman and she was very angry. We are all Americans, we all bleed red blood. Or the comedian, I can't recall his name. He said today I am not doing my job. I am suppose to read the news and write jokes, but I can't. He continues, here in a state that still flies a confederate flag that represent oppression to our black members of our society. They drive on streets named after confederate generals that fought to keep them slaves. Now these are my words: we get upset over a team name the Redskins and I am not sure any native Americans are upset by the use of this name. Maybe they are, I am not sure. But South Carolina still files a confederate flag. Man this is not the way I want to go with this. I do not want to write things to inflame. How do we heal? How do we come together as one Nation? We have many many shades of brown from very light to very dark, but we all bleed red. I wish every American that abhors this act could come together as one. Not to protest against White Americans, or a Police force that has some imperfect people. But that some how we could join arms around these hurting families and comfort them. I believe Love is the antidote for hate. Real honest to goodness God like Love that knows no color or shade of brown.  Let us love them and tell them how sorry we are for their loss. It could have been your family that was touched by such a terrible tragedy, make it your family and extend your arms to South Carolina and send your prayers and love their way. God bless, LVZ.

Every so often

Every once in a while I feel the need to express this is my blog. I write it. the words are mine. I get ideas on a subject from a lot of places. I may go over what I heard in a sermon. I may read an article that strikes a cord with me. When it is a sermon I try to give credit to the person that impacted me. I try to make it mine. The word of God is meant to put on. To add it to our lives. Sometimes that is what I am trying to do. Sometimes I am expressing an opinion  about current events or perhaps I saw something in the newspaper that I want to write about. The ministers I listen to are my Pastor Scooter Noland, who can be found on the web at Hope Church Tupelo. I also like to listen to Bill Wolfson of CFAN in Tacoma, WA also on the web at CFAN Tacoma. I like to listen to Charles Stanley of Atlanta, GA on the TV, In Touch. Occasionally I may listen to others. Sometimes it may be someone from Sunday School, like Jim Spencer, JJ Jasper, or Fiske. The ones that seem to get me into trouble the most are political ones. I have opinions, they are like noses, everybody has one. Recently I have run into difficulty with one individual and I don't understand why. I have been called childish, my thinking is screwed up, I must not be much of a christian, and more. I said a political candidate was a professional politician. I said that because I believe his radio and TV spots since the last election were designed to keep him in the public eye until he runs again in 2016. I am not sure I understand how I need to apologize for making a statement like that "he is a professional politician".  Then originally I chose not to listen Donald Trump, I consider him to be arrogant and I think he is about himself and making money. I don't remember my exact words, but I stated something like that. Any way it went from bad to worse, and I got tired of the put downs and hung up. I am an adult, I have a right to my opinions. I know so many people that voted for Obama simply because he was black. While I think that was not good, that was their right. I once voted for Nixon. While his presidency may have ended badly, he did some good things. We seem to be getting into an age of intolerance for any opinion other than our own. In the past years we saw a pro life guy kill an abortion doctor. We saw anti gay thinking men drag a gay man behind their truck in Wyoming. We have seen young kids in Jackson, MS run over a black man with a truck on purpose, after they had severely beaten him. They killed him when they ran over him. I stated a Biblical view on Homosexuality and I was called a homopho and defriended. I have been told that because I was a George Bush supporter, that if George Bush jumped off a cliff all us conservatives would jump off with him. If the tea party wins all women will be walking around with their faces covered under Sharia Law. While some of these are laughable, and others disturbing,  it shows an intolerance for those who hold a different opinion than our own.  This intolerance stifles communication. We don't all have to think alike, but I don't know how we got here to be so intolerant of someone who thinks differently than we do. The Bible teaches us to love, that is to be our calling card. Does intolerance show love? Do put downs show love? I think sometimes I can strike a nerve with the things I write. Doesn't that happen in newspaper articles on the opinion page. Are they not designed to get us to think? We are told never to discuss politics and religion, yet those are two things we can do something about. we can vote or we can change our life. We cannot change the weather. We cannot stop the Sun from shining. But why the intolerance? I don't understand. God bless, LVZ.

Resilience of the Church

I was at a church recently that impressed me with their resilience. Sometimes in this day and age, our governments are not church friendly. They do not understand the good that churches do for the communities. This church had been unable to expand as they needed, the city would not give them the permits they needed. This church found a way. They video taped the Pastors sermons in the main Sanctuary and played it on a screen in the gym.  They had a more modern form of worship in the main sanctuary and a traditional worship in the gym. This accomplished their need for more room as the older generation met in the gym and the younger generation met in the main sanctuary. This worked for them to accommodate the growth they had experienced.  I believe their was a slight delay in the video because at the end of the video when the Pastor was giving the invitation, there he was in person. I also noted there was a second service in the main sanctuary after the Gym service was over. Sometimes God answers prayer in ways least expected. I know of another church that had two sanctuaries to accommodate growth, one would be live and the other on video, but you would not know which sanctuary would be live until the Pastor appeared. The Church has through the years found ways with God's help to progress and accomplish God purpose.  God bless, LVZ.

This is my blog

This is my blog, I state my opinion about many things. If it pisses you off don't read it. That is what a blog is, it is my space to talk about what I want to talk about. It is a blog. It is not meant to be your opinion or John's down the street. It is my OPINION PERIOD.  I don't advertise it other than a license on the front of my vehicle that says LVZPAGE. Very few know about it, some come across it by accident. One ex-wife reads it, but it is MY Blog, My OPINION.  IF you don't like my opinions don't read it.  God bless, LVZ

God Answers Prayer

Last Sunday sermon, the speaker, J.J. Jasper told a story about a prayer God answered when he was about 19 years old. He was a new christian and as he tells it he was short on theology but long on kneeology. J.J. was from Kentucky and there was a speaker that he helped from time to time by driving him to his next destination so this minister could sleep in the back seat while traveling to the next destination.  On this particular time J.J. and a friend of his drove this minister from Kentucky up towards New York. They were somewhere close to the Ministers next destination when he awoke and said he could handle it from here. He let these young 19 year olds out of the car and offered to buy their bus tickets to get back home, but they declined saying they would hitch hike. The minister  dropped them off next to a guard rail in some little town and drove away. As they waved goodbye and turned around there hanging on the guard rail were two cold beers. What are the chances of that happening. They resisted the temptation, both of them being fairly new Christians and walked to a truck stop to hitch a ride. J.J. suggested that they continue to hitch hike north and see Niagara Falls. So they did and the Truck driver that stopped and gave them a lift offered drugs but they refused and witnessed to the driver about their conversion and about a lady they new that had been delivered from drugs back home. The lady they told about had the same name as the truck drivers ex-girlfriend.  The truck driver said that was his ex-girlfriends name but she was from Atlanta. It turns out the lady J.J. and his friend were talking about was from Atlanta and had gotten her drugs from Cocaine Bob. It was the same lady, so suddenly the truck driver showed renewed interest in their witness. They got to the falls and were ready to start back when J.J.'s friend suggested that they pray for one ride to take them all the way from Niagara Falls to their home in Bowling Green  Kentucky. J.J. stated, he knew God was able to do that but just wasn't sure if he would at this time. They prayed again and his friend quoted scripture about how God answers prayer. J.J. still said, I am almost there but not quite. They prayed again and finally J.J. agreed. they walked to a truck stop where they were going to start hitch hiking and J;J; and his friends ran into a couple of young men that were runaways. They once again witnessed to the young men and all was going well until J.J. friend told them about how they were going to pray for one ride to take them all the way to their home in Kentucky. J.J. thought his friend didn't need to do that, he put God on the spot plus if it didn't happen they will look like fools in front of these young men. It was time to leave and as they walked out to the road the young runaways followed to see what would happen. As they got out to the road a car came screeching to a stop right in front of them and an older black man asked them if they had a drivers license. They said yes and they were headed to Kentucky. The older man was headed to Nashville Tennessee for a meeting and he was in a hurry to get there but had driven just as far as he was able to. He would pay them to drive to their home in Kentucky and he'd be able to make it the rest of the way. They agreed and the young runaways eyes about popped out of their head to see what had just happened. J.J. had a video of his friend authenticating J.J.'s story. J.J. went on in his sermon talking about some key point to prayer. This was an amazing story, J.J. works for American Family Radio and attends church where I attend in Tupelo. He is also the author of a book Losing Cooper.  I think of a prayer I prayed when I was but 5 years old, that I remember God answering.  God does answer prayer according to our faith, his will and his word. God has not answered every prayer I have ever prayed in the way I thought, but there have been enough times in my own experiences to know God does answer prayer, God bless, LVZ.

Givers or Takers

For sometime now I try to write a blog a day. I am behind. I was on vacation, what am I saying, I am retired:) Anyway I miss my laptop that I used to take with me on a road trip. So instead I wrote down the ideas I had during the trip as reminders. One of the people I listen to weekly is the Pastor of CFAN in Tacoma, WA. As Pastor Wolfson was speaking on the eighth commandment, as always, I had a lot to think about. That is where this thought comes from. The eight commandment from the short list  "You shall not steal." What Pastor Wolfson gave me to think about was more than just not shoplifting. Do I give more in my marriage than I take? I am retired, but when I was working did I give as much as I took?  As a neighbor, do I give as much as I take? I have a good neighbor that allows me to borrow a trailer without having to ask each time. I am thankful for that, I need it to mow the lawn in Nettleton. But do I give as much as I receive? I am trying to be a better husband, I really am. I think about all Barbara does for me and I wonder do I give as much as I receive? I try to make sure I put gas in her car each week so she don't have to. Nettleton is her place, I am trying to keep that lawn mowed. I am not working so I try to attend the Alderboard meetings as often as I can. I try to give Hope Church a little of my time each week in what we call Nehemiah Men. We meet each friday, (retired men) and do a repair, change light bulbs, paint a room or replace a stage curtain. We do what ever we can  that needs doing at the church to give back. Do I give as much as I receive? I have a little some that I sing sometimes: To be like Jesus is my goal. In my living, in my giving help me to be like you. In my walking , in my talking, help me to be like thee.  I thought about that little part "in my giving, help me to be like you." Jesus gave his all, his life to pay for my sins. The little stuff I do is nothing compared to what Jesus did for me. Am I a giver or a taker? I have received a lot in this life, I am truly blessed. I do tithe, but still I receive a lot each week from Pastor Wolfson, but since I no longer attend there since I live in Mississippi, do I give as much as I receive?  I pay tithe where I attend at Hope Church. My take away from this sermon of Pastor Wolfson is, do I give as much as I receive? If not, perhaps I am stealing? The new testament goes far beyond the old testament law. That law was designed to show us we need God. So maybe I don't shoplift, but do I give as much as I receive?  God help me to be like you in my giving and my living, in my walking and my talking, help me to be like you. God bless, LVZ.

Amazing Love

When I think of God's love, it is simply amazing. I think of my sins, some I'd hate to even mention. Yet God knew about them all. I think of wrong motives, God knew them all. There are no secret sins, God knows. Every harsh or hurtful word I have ever spoken God knows. Nothing is hid from God. In spite of knowing all this, God gives grace. He still loves me in spite of all the he bad stuff. So many times people want to fix themselves to come to God. It don't work that way, we come just as we are. God is the only one that can fix us. It is just amazing to me that God loves me in spite of knowing who I really am. I have been thinking about John Newton, the writer of this song. Part of his life he had been a slave trader, yet he too found grace. He didn't immediately stop his slave trade, it took a while, but he became a minister. God knew his every escapade, nothing was hidden. When God forgives, our sins are removed as far as the East is from the West. Think about the most hardened sinner, and they too can receive God's love and grace. I think of King David in the Bible, an adulterer and to top it off, he had a man killed to cover his sin.  Yet God loved him in spite of what he had done. There were some consequences, but God forgave. I know in my early years, I didn't feel I could live this Christian life. I saw the sin in my own life and I just couldn't seem to live that perfect life, and I quit. God's love covered that time in my life and he still sought me. There have been so many times that I have still sinned in spite of my trying. Somehow I finally realized, God still loved me in spite of everything and was working on me. He still is today, working on me. Sometimes he sheds light on my life and shows me an area I need correction. He loves me in spite of who I really am. It is just amazing. I am so conditional in my love, but God is not. I try to be like him, but many times I fail. yet he loves me in spite of me. When your really think about it is is just amazing. God bless, LVZ. John 3:16

The Church must not slip

Our culture is changing drastically. I saw this example at a church I attended in Utah on my trip. It was given at a promise keepers meeting many years ago by an LA police officer. I don't know how blogger will do with the example I want to give but I'll try.
Three lines the first solid line represents the church. The second dash line represents law enforcement, and thirdly the dash dot line represents culture.
____________________________________________________________________
Church

---------------------------------------------------------------
Law Enforcement                                                       -----
                                                                                           -----
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.              ------
Culture                                                                        -.-.-.-              -----
                                                                                             .-.-.-.             ------
                                                                                                     -.-.-.-.             -----
                                                                                                              -.-.-.-.           ------
                                                                                                                          -.-.-.-.
                                                                                                                                   -.-.-.-

The police will follow culture as culture changes and changes laws. We see this happening as states make medical marijuana legal.  We see it as many states legalize same sex marriage. We see it with legalized abortion. And there may be many other laws that are changing our culture. The church must not change except as their understanding of God's word improves. We must remain faithful to the Bible teachings even when culture changes and says it is alright. If the Bible says it is sin, the church must be faithful in calling sin - sin.  We must love the sinner in spite if the sin, because all have sinned.  Culture changes and sometimes it will change back again, but the church must not slip and be faithful in proclaiming God's word even in times like now when it is becoming politically incorrect to do so. I hope the lines stay intact when I post this. God bless, LVZ.

Grace is not fair

I heard a preacher make this statement, "Grace is not fair". As I thought about this and my early years when I got so discouraged and quit, I think I have to agree. Grace is not justice. When you think about the worst person you can think of, perhaps Ted Bundy or Gary Ridgeway or Robert Yates, and they can receive grace just the same as you and I. It really isn't fair. Anyone can receive grace just by receiving it. You can't earn it, buy it, work for it, it is only given freely, to anyone to receives it. But the preacher also said that is what makes it fair, because we are equal, we all can receive grace. It doesn't matter how bad we think we are, we can still receive grace. When people hurt me, I want justice, or I want them to receive justice. But would that be fair, if I could receive grace and someone else couldn't. Think about it, there is nothing God does not know. No hidden sins, he knows it. Our motives, he knows us for who we really are. We can fool people, just look at some of the people we elected. You cannot fool God. There is no secret sin. I think of King David in the Bible, and he craftily had Bathsheba's husband killed. King David committed adultery with her and Bathsheba became pregnant, while her husband was at war for King David. He tried to cover his sin and had Uriah killed in battle and then married Bathsheba. But God knew, it was not hid and God spoke to King David about what he had done through a prophet of God.  David repented. It is the same for us, nothing is hid from God, he knows. Yet he still loves us. Knowing all the bad I have ever done, the cruel words that I have spoken. the sins that I have committed, the impure motives of my heart. God still loves me and you in spite of who we really are. I think I understand Grace better than I did 30 years ago, but do I really understand it in its fullness? We have legalistic Christians, and we have cheap grace Christians and probably I am somewhere in between. It really is amazing Grace, when you think how anyone can receive it. I think of the slave trader that wrote the song Amazing Grace. I wonder if in his early life he was like me, discouraged because he couldn't live it. He had done so much bad, sold so many of God people into slavery. Yet I wonder if somewhere he finally understood grace, and accepted it. Wrote the song Amazing Grace. He must have understood grace to have written that powerful song. Grace may not be fair, but like the preacher said, I would rather have grace than justice, any day. God bless, LVZ.