God Sees The Heart

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) 1 Kings 8:39
"The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the result of his deeds. Jeremiah 17:9,10.  
I think I was listening to something on PragerU and the question was asked; do you look at yourself and consider if you have an issue? Sometimes it is good to look inside. There have been various times in my life when through hardship or perhaps at just a moment God allowed me to see what he sees in my heart. There have been several times, I didn't like what I saw. It was when I hard that question asked on PragerU post that I considered writing this post. PragerU was asking in relation to our political divide in our country today. Are we able to listen to an opposing view or do those we listen to have to think like we do?  If we can't listen to an opposing view, there may be something wrong inside us and perhaps we need to look in our heart. That was my prayer this morning, asking God to look inside my heart. I have several relationships that are not what they should be. I remember some years back, I looked up an ex and I thought my intentions were good. To apologize for any wrong I had done. Right after I said my words and drove away, the thought came to my head, you can hide but I can still find you. Right there I saw an impure motive in my heart, and asked God to forgive me. Once in a very difficult time I saw how self righteous I was, and I thanked God for the tribulation that brought me to that place to see in my own heart.  Sometimes when we look inside, and it is necessary to do so, we may not like what we see. God is there to heal and fix us. He saw it before we saw it and perhaps he is doing a work in our hearts to show us impure motives and just the junk that can clutter up our hearts. Ask God to search your heart and clean it up. He looks on the heart and does not see as man sees as we learn in the story of King David. All David's brothers came before the prophet and God rejected each one. God looks on the heart, there is nothing hid from him. God bless, LVZ.

Our Current State

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.  Genesis 6:5-6.  Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. Genesis 6:11-12. Just 6 chapters into the book of Genesis we get to the story of Noah. Someone pointed out some similarities between Noah's time on earth and ours. Take two words out of these scriptures, wickedness and corrupt, and I think we get a good look at today. Noah was a preacher of righteousness. In the 120 years he built that Ark, he spoke to anyone who would listen. I am sure they didn't believe him because only eight souls were saved in the great flood. Noah and his wife and his tree sons and their wives. We look at the wickedness of our world. Just here in Mississippi in the last couple of weeks a 6 year old boy was shot and killed. He was asleep in the back seat of his mothers car as she made a late night stop at a Krogers store in Jackson Mississippi. The mother left the car running with this 6 year old boy asleep as she ran in to get a few things. Three teenagers took her car and shot the little boy four times when they discovered him in the back seat. We read this story and it makes us sick. Why we ask? Why kill this innocent 6 year old boy? Just plan wicked. Then just a few days later a deputy is called to a domestic violence incident. A man is talking to his estranged wife and her family about taking his children home with him. The wife's family is there because the wife went to her mothers house when the man was abusive toward her. Someone called 911. The deputy arrives and the man turns like he is going to leave and pulls a gun out of his back pocket and kills the deputy. He then turns the gun on others killing 7 family members in addition to the officer at three different addresses. Just plain wicked. Now lets talk about corruption. We see a world where one of the most corrupt politicians in our day ran for President in the last election and thank God she lost. We have a double standard, we ignore her unprotected email server and the fact she got questions ahead of time in debates and the list of corruption with this woman goes on and on.  We see a man by the name of Weiner get reelected to office when we already knew he was corrupt and a pervert. Many seem to think it okay to use forged documents to win an election in our day and truth is not the important thing, getting our corrupt politician elected is more important than actual truth.  We look at the millions of aborted babies by Planned Parenthood and listen to their lies and prosecute the individuals that exposed their corrupt practices. Practices that made some of their workers so sick they cannot work for them anymore. We call it good. We call it a woman's right to choose, when in reality it is used for simple birth control that can be done with a pill or a simple medical procedure ahead of time. We hear stories of women who had up to eight and nine abortions. the story is told of a woman who joked and made light of the procedure during her ninth abortion and then asked to see the result.  Planned Parenthood has since decided to never show the results of a baby torn limb from limb again. It was terrible, when the woman realized what she had done. We are told it is just a mass of cells, we are all just a mass of cells, every last one of us.   We listen to the endless shootings in Chicago, one of our major cities, week after week it is like a war zone.  We read in the above verse that God regretted that he made man. Can God be any less grieved today in our current state?  God made a way of escape for Noah  when he had him build the Ark. God has a way of escape for us today in his son Jesus.  Some day God will return to rescue his people from this place. The corruption and wickedness in our world today is a sign that it will not be long. Only those who will listen and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives and follow God as Noah did will escape. If you do not believe the Biblical account of Noah and his Ark, there is an exhibit in Kentucky of the Ark that makes it plain that yes this did happen. Someday there will be a second coming of Jesus, are you ready? Jesus is the answer. Many will not listen to the warnings given today, just as they did not listen to Noah. There are only two places to go when you leave this world, the choice really is yours. Jesus is the answer for our world today. Seek him while he may be found.  God bless, LVZ.

Pray for our President

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2. This is the Apostle Paul writing to Timothy. Paul was instructing Timothy who was a young Pastor from what I remember hearing over the years. This advice applies to us to day as we try and live out our Christian faith. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2 I believe we have a good President who is trying his best to put this nation back on track. Every thing this man does comes under attack. We really need to lift up our President in prayer. It is not Donald Trump that will save our nation, but God as we lift up our leaders to follow God's direction. I think the majority are please with this President so far. He is fighting both houses, both sides as he does what I believe God is directing. He really needs are prayers. Christians have prayed more for this election that we have in the past. As I went on road trips during the last election I saw reader boards place after place, pray for our Nation and our President. Our Prayers were answered when God put Donald Trump in office. Now we need to pray that God would guide, protect our President and for the Congress and Senate to support this man. I thank God that this man was elected and not the disaster that the other party was promoting. It was through prayer that Donald Trump was elected and it is through our prayers that he will be successful in turning our nation in a more Godly direction. Once again I pray that God will protect and guide this President. God still sits on his throne and is over all. It is God that heals. We do need healing as a Nation.  God bless, and God please Guide our President, LVZ.

Civil Authority

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Romans 13:1-5.
I suppose I have read this passage many times. During the last election cycle it has convinced me that God gives us our Presidents whether we like him or not. I have thought of this passage when thinking about Police and the troubles they go through in our current anti police atmosphere. A few days ago as I was picking up trash along the street I live on I ran across three approximately 10 year old boys riding their bicycles along the street. They passed me once and it seemed they were waiting for me up ahead. There was a side street that leads to about 4 homes and a lake behind some woods. When I caught up to them they asked about that side street, if I knew if it was public street or private. I believed it to be private. They wanted to see the lake, but they were worried about being harassed by the police. I told them they didn't need to worry about that. I told them if they went back there and stayed by the lake there should be no problem. I did tell them about the three legged German Shepherd dog that was very protective of his home and to watch out for him, because I believed he would bite. It bothered me that these three boys, just being boys, about 10 to 11 years old were worried about being harassed by the police. They were just out riding their bike and exploring. Need I say they were black. I thought of the scripture above, for rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. I told them they didn't need to fear the police as long as they were not doing any thing wrong. If you ever have contact with police and they question you just tell them the truth. If you ever see a police officer just talk to him or her. I know in Verona and Tupelo, we have some very good officers that care about people and kids.  I thought about this scripture and how if I win in the coming election, I will be responsible to God for the job I do representing the people of Verona. Civil authority is established by God, and I believe God still desires us to look to him for guidance as we hold a public office to do what is right and just in the sight of God. To be right before God, we need to respect authority. Office holders need to respect God and know they are accountable to him. It is sad that our society would raise up children fearing law enforcement. I pray for God's help to be an example as an office holder to look to God for guidance in any decision I am involved in for the city. God established civil authority for our good. We are responsible to him for the job we do. God bless, LVZ.

Who What When Where Why

We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.  John 9:31 I am not sure how this blog is going to go. In this chapter of Mark is the story of a blind man that was born blind from birth.  He sought Jesus to heal him and give him his sight. It was the Sabbath day when this blind beggar came to Jesus. Jesus spit on the ground, mad mud with his spit and put that mud on the blind mans eyes. Then Jesus told the blind man to go to the pool of Siloam and wash. When the blind man washed the mud off, he could see. This formerly blind man made the statement above in verse 31 when questioned by the Pharisees about his healing. It was on the Sabbath, so how could Jesus be a Prophet if he did work on the Sabbath? The Pharisees questioned this former blind mans parents, is this your son who was born blind? Yes they answered, this is our son who was born blind. The parents were afraid of being put out of the synagogue so they said ask him, he is of age. We could find a lot of questions being asked in this passage by the disciples, the Pharisees and others as they saw this miracle. Jesus ministered to the needs of a blind man that sought him out. 

Above was the start of yesterday's blog. I deleted the rest of it. I needed to ask some questions about this scripture. Who said those words in verse 31? The blind man who had just been healed. Where was this? In the previous chapter we find Jesus to be at the MT of Olives which is near Jerusalem. He told the blind man to wash in the Pool of Siloam which is in Jerusalem, so I believe Jesus was in or near Jerusalem because of the MT of Olives and the Pool of Siloam which are mentioned here and in the previous chapter. What? Lets consider some thoughts about what was going on. The Pharisees did not like Jesus and they sought to condemn him. The Pharisees questioned the blind man about how he was healed, on the Sabbath no less. That could answer a when question. The Pharisees also questioned the parents of the formerly blind man. Was this your son who was blind from birth? The parents knew where this was leading, and they were concerned about being put out of the synagogue. The parents replied ask him, he is of age. I think an important thing to consider is this is not Jesus or God or an apostle speaking. It was the formerly blind man speaking, and in a way, he was rebuking the Pharisees. They were hung up on the fact it was done on the Sabbath. They did not feel this healing should have been done on the Sabbath. They tried to obey the letter of the law and no where close to the spirit of the law. If I searched scripture I could find where Jesus asked if one  of your animals falls into a ditch on the Sabbath, do you not rescue it? I don't feel I should have posted yesterday's blog. I needed to ask a lot of questions about that scripture and should have looked at other scriptures. It is important to know the background of any scripture we are looking at.  It is important to ask who, what, when, where, why; when looking at scripture.    God bless, LVZ.

Husbands and Wives

1. Hiding, sneaking, and lying. Whether it’s to protect your spouse’s feelings or your own heinie, you should really be able to tell your spouse anything.
2. Lack of affection. When it comes to feeling connected, touching is even more important than talking.
3. Holding on to resentment. It’s very important to talk about things you’re upset about with your spouse. For example, “I’d like to feel more involved with making decisions about _____ .”
4. Being stubborn. Marriage is a team effort. It’s about doing things together, not “my way or the highway.”
5. Bitching about the small stuff. My favorite one is socks left on the floor. One day I received an email from a woman whose husband had died and she’d give anything to have his socks on the floor again. It really puts things in perspective.
6. Talking down and being competitive. You are supposed to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders, not competitors.

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33
We have been looking at Ephesians the fifth chapter here the last few Sunday Schools. Then I read the 6 things above from Dr. Laura that I saw on Facebook and I thought it fit well with what we are studying in Sunday School. Believe it or not but sometimes the number one thing above is so easy to do but it will develop a lack of trust if we do it. We talked about it in Sunday School, and someone mentioned they had a difficulty with telling the truth to their spouse. I know there have been times when Barbara will come home and ask me if I had anything to eat and for some reason I don't want to tell her. I purposed in my heart that I would tell her even the things like that and really practice truth telling even in small things. Dr. Laura's advice fits with Bible teaching in this subject. Now I never thought that touching is that important but it is the number 2 thing on Laura's list. Forgiving is a core value of a Christian. You cannot be a Christian and not learn to forgive, that lines up with resentment. Submitting to one another is also found in this fifth chapter of Ephesians. That certainly would be the opposite of being stubborn. The last two I think we can compare to the verses above. If we love our spouses as we love ourselves, we would not want to do numbers 5 and 6. Ephesians 5 is a good chapter for Husbands and wives to try and live in their daily lives. God bless, LVZ.

Service

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11. I look at trying to win this Alder board seat as a way to serve. This verse tells us to use whatever gift God gives us to serve others. I often thing that is one of the biggest things God is trying to teach us, to serve others. We serve with the strength God gives us and to bring him glory. I believe God laid this on my heart to do. I look at it as a way to give back to God for all the blessings I received in my lifetime. I am not doing it for extra income. I simply find it as a way to serve my community. I believe God wants us all to develop a servants heart. As a Deacon, God desires us to serve our congregation in any way we can. This Alder board seat is just another way to serve God. Civil authority is ordained by God, read Romans 13. I believe Police officers are ministers of God. At least the good ones are there to serve and protect. On this board I am there (IF I get elected) to serve the citizens of Verona. I want to be a good steward of what God has given to me. I don't make campaign promises, I am on a board of 5 and only have one vote. I want to be fair and just and do ask daily for God's guidance. God delights in fair weights and measures and treating everyone the same. Not showing partiality toward anyone. I have not asked for or received any money from anyone to pay for my campaign, I do not want to feel like I owed anyone  anything. I want to be pleasing to God above all things. I look to God for guidance. My opponent has been telling people he talks to that I am in the mayors pocket and I do what ever he says. That is not true. I have talked to him several times this year in his office. I have also met with the mayors opponent over coffee just about as many times. I feel I need to be able to work with the one that gets elected. I have told very few people who I will vote for as mayor, and perhaps should not have even told those few. I am in no ones pocket, I may listen to what they have to say as they have both ran for office before. I think back to my own career of 32 years, I stood for what I thought was right even when it meant I was at odds with a whole crew. God blessed and protected me. I want to be pleasing to my creator in all I do.  God bless, LVZ.

Small Town Polictics

For  “Whoever desires to love life

and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:10-12
I thought small town politics would be different. I am running against two people. I believe one is telling people not to vote for me because I am a Republican. On the other hand the other candidate is telling people that I may be to liberal, (this is my take on it). He is telling people that I sit in the mayors office daily. The current Mayor is a Democrat and a Black man  that still thinks highly of Ex-President Obama. So I hope I can be true to the scripture above to keep my tongue from evil and speaking deceit. I pray for God's guidance.  I should not retaliate with evil words and I try to live pleasing to God. I do have my reasons for running after attending may city council meeting in the last few years. I am conservative thinking. I was born in South Dakota, I am not sure why my opponent thought this important for citizens to know but I did live 16 years of my life in South and North Dakota and 43 years in Washington State. My desire is to give back in service for all the good God has given me. I desire to be a person of integrity and do a good job as an Alderman for the city of Verona. I will continue to seek God's guidance as I sit on this board. My neighbor came and told me the things this man said about me as he was asking for their vote. It is true that I am from South Dakota, as that is where I was born. I do meet for coffee with several men from the surrounding area, but I do not go to Hardy's because that is what the mayor tells me to do. The men I meet with all live outside the city limits of Verona and cannot vote for me. There is a sprinkling of truth in the words this man said about me. I was born in South Dakota, I do go to Hardy's for coffee with some Friends several times in the week. I have sat in the Mayors office and talked with the Mayor at least twice this year. We do talk about the campaigns we are both running this year. I am running for this office because I feel God put it on my heart, the Mayor had nothing to do with it. When I went to Franklin Grahams prayer on the Mississippi State Capitol building I did feel it was a confirmation from God when Franklin said Christians need to run for local offices. I am doing this because I feel this is what God wants me to do. I do not ask the mayor how high to jump. I pray that the eyes of the Lord will be upon me and that if he did put this in my heart to run for this local office that he will guide me and direct my paths.  I believe I am a person of integrity and want what is good for the City of Verona. God bless, LVZ.

Tickets

As I rode along with a police officer I thought back to the many tickets I received in my life time.  I earned every ticket I received. I laugh now about some of them, but they weren't very funny at the time. In the 70's, one Sunday morning on my way to church, I was pulled over for speeding. The biggest majority of my tickets were for speeding. On that Sunday morning the officer asked where I was going in such a hurry on a Sunday morning. I told him, I was going to church. He replied your the fifth person I pulled over for breaking the law this morning on their way to church. When I was 19, I got pulled over for speeding on a two lane highway near Sprague, WA. I was doing 80 plus in my 58 ford with a car load of teenagers. I saw the officer attempting to turn around in my rear view mirror. We had been going opposite directions. Instead of getting on the freeway at Sprague, I drove into town hoping to lose the officer. He found me, and pulled me out of the car and back to his car where he gave me a lecture I have not forgotten to this day. I had a car load of kids, six including myself, and old car and I was doing 80 plus. If I had an accident, I could have hurt every one of my passengers and myself. I didn't tell the officer that when I pulled over my transmission was stuck in high gear. I had to limp my way back home, burning the clutch every time I took off. We got home safely. I wonder if I had made it all the way to Spokane that day if I'd been able to get everyone home again with my car stuck in high gear.  Once I got a ticket for not wearing my seat belt. I was just driving from the place I caught my carpool to the house, not very far. I had chosen not to wear my seat belt because I was driving my old truck and the seat belt was sorta dirty. As I was stopping I tried to pull the two parts of the seat belt together but the half on my left I couldn't find it. The officer asked why I wasn't wearing my seat belt, I was trying to think what to say, I had the right side portion laying on my lap with my hand on it. He says and the other part is hanging out the door. A good giveaway that I wasn't wearing it. Like I say I earned every ticket I got. In 2001 I received four tickets. I remember I received one in Seattle for speeding and the very next day, I received one in Tacoma. I don't remember where the third ticket was from. The fourth ticket that year I received when I had a minor accident for failure to stop. The State of Washington suspended my drivers license and to get my license renewed, I had to get SR22 insurance. Expensive is what SR22 insurance is. I checked one time what it would cost if I bought a car on time. My insurance payment would have been $450 a month, just for insurance. I didn't buy a new car. But that got my attention, and I believe my driving got better when they hit my pocket book hard. One morning when I was driving my T1000, a stick shift car, I pulled away from the stop sign with a cop right behind me. I went through the gears 1st, then 2nd, then 3rd, then 4th. By the time I hit 4th, I was speeding and the cop put his lights on and I got a ticket. I thought about what I had done and have driven mostly automatics since then. I had a tendency to use all the gears and not stop until I was in high gear. I also have tried to get cruise control on my vehicles since then, and use it. Like I say I earned every thicket I received. I do appreciate the law officers that tried to keep me safe by writing a ticket for speeding so many times. I really do try to do better today. That SR22 insurance helped me a lot, it hit hard on the pocket book. God bless our officers as they work to keep us all safe. Civil authority is ordained by God, Romans 13.  God bless, LVZ.

A Ride Along

I went for a ride along with a Tupelo Police Officer. I really enjoyed it. There was one traffic stop that I would like to talk about. We had been on the east edge of the city and came along East Main to Gloster Street, the main north south street in Tupelo. We turned south onto Gloster and pulled in behind a small red car with three occupants. We pulled up behind them at a stop light. The officer noticed the rear seat passenger slowly try to put his  seat belt on. Trying to not be noticed. We have a clic it or ticket policy here in Mississippi. When the light changed, the officer turned on his blue lights and pulled them over. What are the odds that we would turn onto Gloster right behind this red car? When asking the driver for her license, she had only a learners permit that requires her to have an adult over the age of 21 with her. Every one is the car was still a teenager. She was driving illegally. I know we hear so much about profiling these days and this was a white officer and black teenagers in the red car. What I saw was just a chance happening that we turn unto the street behind a car that was not in compliance with several laws that we as society have given our officers the duty to enforce. Mississippi legislature has given them a wearing a seat belt law. They also gave the officers a law requiring the new teenage driver to have an Adult over the age of 21 for her first six months. I think that is the requirement. They have a clic it or ticket campaign going that is advertised every so often. What are the odds that this White police officer is going to turn onto the street behind a car with three Black teenagers with two violations? He is just enforcing the laws given to him to enforce. He took it as it came as he was patrolling his section of the city. I understood this was not the first time this young girl was stopped in violation with her learners permit. Earlier as we proceeded on to the bypass from the southern border of the city back up to main street, a car passed us in a 55 zone going 80. This officer just responded to what he came in contact with as he was doing his job. Who passes a police officer doing 80 in a 55? God ordains civil authority, read Romans chapter 13. God bless, LVZ.

A sign from God

It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.   Exodus 31:17
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. the fourth commandment
This morning as I am reading I come across this verse and I note it says it is a sign between God and the people of Israel forever. God created the heavens and the earth in 6 days and on the seventh he rested. IT is also suppose to be a day of rest even for us today. Many times in my career I worked 7 days a week. I loved my job. I noted during these times of busyness that after a period of time working lots of overtime, we would begin to do less in 12 hours than what we normally did in eight hours. We were tired and we needed rest. God's commandments were given for our good, for our health. It is interesting to read how quickly the Israelites would turn away from God. Moses was up on the mountain meeting with God and getting instructions directly from God on how to lead God's chosen people. While Moses was gone and I do think it was weeks, the children of Israel melted down gold and made a golden calf to worship and led them. God was angry. He wants to be our one and only God. After all he created us and everything that is. We are not much different today. We find it so easy to stray away from God's principles for life. We find it so easy to find other God's. Let us remember our creator and always have that day of rest once a week. It is a sign between us and God that we remember him as our creator and our God.  God bless, LVZ.

Praying for Guidance

And behold I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahismack, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you;  Exodus 31:6  This verse was in my reading this morning in the book of Exodus. I read all that God is commanding Moses to have built and created for his arc of the Covenant and the tent of meeting. Sometimes giving the measurements and for incense giving ingredients.  I look what does this mean to me, This is Old Testament stuff and does it really pertain to me today? But I read to be in God's word. Then I read the second part of the verse above and I see God is giving the skills to individuals to do the things he is asking for. In the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you. I took comfort in this verse as lately I am wondering as I run for a seat on the city government. I have never done this but felt God laid it on my heart to run. Then last summer when Franklin Graham was doing his tour of all fifty states and praying on the capital steps in each state, when he came to Mississippi, I heard him urge us as Christians to run for local offices. I felt this to be a confirmation of what God has laid on my heart. My election is drawing close, June 6. I have been wondering lately, will I win, how will I do this job? I believe our system of government is by the people for the people. I am just one of those people that wants to serve. This verse above comforted me, if God indeed laid this on my heart and I do win, I believe God will give me the skill I need as I continue to prayerfully seek his will. I haven't won yet, but believe God will guide if I win. I pray daily for his guidance and help to win. I plan to continue to pray especially if I win for God's guidance. This verse was a comfort to me, if God did direct me to run for this office, he will give me what I need to do my job. I do pray for his guidance. God bless, LVZ.

A Hall of Fame for Mommas

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle
Recorded by Glen Campbell

C F
He got here and wrinkled scared and crying
C G7
The she took him up and held him to her breast
C F
And he sure was glad to get what mama offered
C G7 C
Then he went to sleep and put his fears to rest

F
It didn't seem to matter what he needed
C G7
He could always count on mama to supply
C F
And regardless of the sleep she might be losing
C G7 C
He always found a twinkle in her eye

F G7 C
There ought to be a hall of fame for mamas
F G7 C
Creation's most unique and precious pearls
F G7 C F
And heaven help us always to remem-ber
Dm G7 C
That the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world

F
She taught him all the attributes of greatness
C G7
That she knew he couldn't learn away from home
C F
And by the time she wore the cover off her bible
C G7 C
Her hair was gray and her little man was gone

Repeat #3

F G7 C
Yes the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world

A brother from Sunday School sang this song this morning in Sunday School. When you think about the Mommas that are gone, I thought it was a beautiful tribute to our Mommas. In Looking for this on the internet I also found a poem, the Hand that Rocks the Cradle Rules the world. The version I found was sung by Glen Campbell. I know my Momma worked very hard, and raised eight kids the best she knew. A passive soul that endured many hardships in her lifetime. She was sweet and even in her final days when having to be cared for, she had a sweet disposition, that even the staff loved her.  Yes my Momma should be in that Hall of Fame for Mommas. Its been a year. but someday I plan to see her on the other side. I plan to live a life to ensure I make it over there. God bless, LVZ.

Parents

Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16 Honor your father and your mother.is the 5th commandment with the promise that it will go well with you in the land that the Lord is giving you.  I was thinking about a neighborhood kid that is a senior this year and is so wanting to get away from parents. I was there at one time myself. We want to change our parents into better parents yet God tells us to honor the parents we have. He doesn't say just honor the good parents, it is a blank statement; honor your parents. Why would God want us to honor parents even if they are dysfunctional and get on our nerves? Perhaps he is teaching us to respect authority, which seems to be really lacking in this day of ours. Are there any perfect parents? I don't think there are any perfect parents. Perhaps God is wanting to teach dependence on him. I told this neighbor kid, deal with the parents you have, you could have done worse. Yes there are some better parents, but jut look at the world around you and see if it doesn't take just a short time to find worse. I've seen worse and I have seen better. One person in speaking on this subject sometime back said honoring parents means to give weight to what they say. Consider their words carefully. It doesn't mean as you grow older you still have to follow every word, but you think about what they say carefully. Then I wonder why so many of us with imperfect parents that we cannot change will stick with a dysfunctional church and not choose better?  Why would we find it so easy to be loyal to something we can change vs something God tells us to honor. It was so hard to leave the church I grew up in. Legalistic organization that it was, yet I stuck with it for many years.  I wanted to change those parents that I couldn't change, but on the other hand stuck with dysfunction I could change. Here again, it has been 46 years approximately since I left my parents home, have I fixed the dysfunction that so aggravated me for 18 years?  How have I done on my own? I see kids that will blame parents their whole life, and they are stuck in a rut. Once they are on their own, why do they not fix all that was wrong in their family of origin? Some do?  Obey God and leave the consequences to him. Look to God, a perfect father. Perhaps he really wants us to depend on him, he does know what is best for us even when we can't see it. None of us had perfect parents, yet God tells us to honor the parents we have or had. Honor the parents God gave, consider what they tell you carefully, don't discard their words lightly. Parents sometimes have an insight into their children, their bent, they raised them and see their behavior. No one knows a child better than a parent that raised them other than God. Consider your parents words carefully, give weight to what they say. Honor your father and your mother that it may be well with thee. God bless, LVZ.

God Is Listening In

I believe God hears every word we speak. I remember a Pastor years ago during a prayer meeting closing with thank you God for hearing and answering our prayers even as we speak them. As he explained, as this group met for prayer, sometimes there were so many requests that the whole time was taken up in making requests, that he would close the meeting with an acknowledgement that God was listening even as the requests were being made. I thought how sometimes we don't feel comfortable in speaking how we really feel. We may go to church and someone will ask, how are you. We will say fine and perhaps inside we are really hurting over something. We may just not feel comfortable in airing our hurt at that time. I believe God hears and sees our hearts at times like that. I believe he is listening in. How many times have I heard an unspoken request where it was just uncomfortable to speak it out.  God is like that friend you can bear your soul too. He already knows our hearts. As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9. As I read this word given to Solomon, I see how God searches all hearts and understands every intent of the thoughts. It is like God is listening in. I remember years ago when a Sunday School teacher talked to me, and told me I could talk to God freely. If you feel crummy, you can say God I feel crummy. God is the one person we can be totally honest with. Besides nothing is hid from God, he already knows. God even sees into our motivation and the intent of our hearts. I remember years ago when during a time of stress, something when wrong on the job I was working, I said a cuss word, and I wanted to kick myself because those around me heard it. I remember hoe God revealed to me in that time how self righteous I was. God already knew, but he loved me anyway. I remember thinking if it hadn't been for the stress I was under, I probably would not have seen my true self and I thanked God for allowing me to see myself and asked him to change me. God is listening in, he already knows our hurts and concerns. We can be totally honest with God, he already knows our hearts. God bless, LVZ.

Truth

“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit. Exodus 23:1-3.  Wow, I was just reading to be reading God's word. Not looking for a specific verse or any thing in particular and the first three verses of Exodus jumped out at me. The Bible has instructions for life if we will read it.  As I read this I thought of all the fake news we are hearing about lately. The Bible tells us not to spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. Lord help us in this country, we have walked so far away from your ways. It seems for our side to win is the objective anymore. Truth doesn't seem to matter. Fake news and falsehood are just common everyday occurrences. I remember a lady from work telling me it was OK when they had the forged National Guard papers on Bush years ago, because they were trying to keep him from winning. Some may think that these tactics are OK but with God it does matter.  I use to look up stuff in SNOPES but it was proven that they answer in light of their political leaning. Truth matters to God if to no one else. God keeps a record and some day we will stand before God.  Then I read with interest the part about do not side with many so as to pervert justice, or to be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit.  God desires truth from us in all situations.  God bless, LVZ.

T.H.I.N.K.

Think about the words we speak. T. Is it true? H. Is it helpful? I. Is it inspiring? N. Is it necessary? K. Is it kind?   Do our words give life? Do our words take life?  As we consider things to say perhaps there are times when we may want to say it ,  when it lines us with THINK. Perhaps there are other times when we need to slay it, when it does not line up with THINK. Slay it, say it. Add these words to the end of something you are saying: That's the way I want it. I am making a difference and that's the way I want it. Life giving or life taking.  I grew up in a negative home, but I gave my heart to Jesus many years ago.  As part of that change I have attended church on a regular basis. I have received life giving words all my Christian journey. It didn't happen over night, but as I have heard sermons like the one that gave me THINK, It has changed me from a negative to a positive person. I try to bless people with my words. I was reminded in this sermon to speak words of life even to myself.  I as well as others are harder on ourselves than we are on others. I know I am. We need to speak like giving words even into our own lives.  As I thought on this I was reminded of an old friend named Wash. He has since crossed over to the other side. We would go to a buffet place every Friday, and he would always say things to the young waitresses to make them feel good about themselves. He would tease them every week. But as I thought on his words they were life giving and uplifting words. I saw my sister ask a relative a question about her weight loss and this relatives face lighted up when asked, because someone noticed. They were life giving words. I heard a sweet voice at a drive through, and when I got to the window, I said your the pretty face that goes with that voice. It seemed to have brightened her day. I caught myself the other day at coffee sounding very negative about something and shut up. I needed to change the subject. THINK about what we say, are our words building up or tearing down? Are our words life giving or life taking. God help us to be children of our heavenly Father who gives life. God bless, LVZ.

Changes

I seem to have a difficulty writing a blog lately. Some due to travel, some due to lack of inspiration, some just not sure of myself. This morning I thought I'd write about the place I used to live near Arlington WA.  I lived there for about 15 years, but that was 24 years ago when I moved away from there. I used to drive up McElroy Rd to the Burn Rd into Arlington but I couldn't remember how I got to the downtown area. Everything seems to have changed. More homes along the route to Arlington, but I don't remember much of it. My home place was so different, and the house was still there and the shed / pump house that I built was still pretty much the same just a different color. The rock wall I built in the front yard was gone and I wondered what he did with all that rock. I remember faintly the route to town. The place we called hillbilly hill had a gate across it. The lake at Burn road and the house by the lake was still there, but I couldn't tell you if it had changed or how it had changed. The whole area had changed drastically. I wondered how I had changed in those 24 years? Had there been a dramatic change in my life as well? I remember thinking how I liked that home on 5 acres so much. When I bought it and had a house build, I envisioned, I would live there for the rest of my life. My life did change also. I went through divorce, I changed my job at my place of employment. Relationships came and went. I moved many times since then. Have I improved the landscape of my life? Have I built into my heart the things found in Colossians 3?  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15. Has the landscape of my heart changed as this scripture and other scriptures tell us how to live in this world? Do I have a compassionate heart? Am I kind? Am I humble? Am I meek? Am I patient? Do I live a life of forgiveness? How is my love? Do I let the peace of Christ rule in my heart? Am I thankful? How has the landscape of my heart changed in those same 24 years. Is it better than it was? Yes my physical address has changed many times. Above all have I put on love? Am I more loving and kind and patient than I used to be. Sometimes when I am driving and I get behind a car that is driving to slow for me I wonder. I really am not in that big of a hurry to get someplace but I may be saying get out of my way. Have I changed like I need to change? God help me to be like thee. God bless, LVZ.

Justice

A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;  all the weights in the bag are his work. Proverbs 16:11
There is a lot of emotion I am dealing with right now. As I have prayed about it, this verse and God's feelings about just dealings, just weights and measures comes to mind. God honors honest dealings in our lives. God being God will also deal justly on the day of judgment. His mercy is the greatest power on earth. His mercy overrides sin. His grace takes our sins and removes them from us as far as the east is from the west. If you were able to get on the equator and walk east, you would never reach west. You could circle the earth going in an east directing and never reach west. If you walked due north, you would reach the north pole and then if you continued you would be walking south. You would have reached the most northern place on our earth, before you took that first step south. I believe God gave us that word, that our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west to let us know, we can never find our sins again. He is a just and merciful God, and you can trust him. There are many things I do not understand as I go through life, but I trust the creator of all. He is just as he wants us to be, he is fair, and he is merciful. On these thoughts I leave my concerns, they are in the hands of God. A just and merciful God, who loved us so much he sent Jesus. God bless, LVZ.

Keeping God's Law

And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?  Exodus 16:28 Here in Exodus we find God trying to teach the Israelite his laws. It was during their journey through the wilderness that he gave the ten commandments. They were a difficult people to deal with. They would see the mighty hand of God protecting and keeping them but still would grumble and complain. One of the laws was keeping the Sabbath and a day of rest. God gave them manna from heaven to eat. They were to gather as much as they could eat in one day. If they  kept it to the next day it would spoil and have worms in it. However on the 6th day of the week they were to gather enough for the day and the following day, the day of rest. It did not spoil as it had on other days. God was teaching them to keep the Sabbath. Most laws written today, if not all, relate back to the ten commandments in some way. If we could just keep the ten commandments, we would do well. they were given for our well being. Today I think it important that we still look to God's laws and commandments, his precepts, his way for our good. When we vote, we should keep in mind God's will. Who best aligns with God's will. In the decisions we make every day, how do these things align with God's word? God wants what is best for us. He does watch over us.  Many times I see God's hand as he teaches me. Occasionally I get a glimpse of my own motivation and it surprises me. God want sour hearts and will lead us in paths that are for our best. He has a plan for each of us. God wants relationship with each of us. Let us look to God for guidance and direction in all areas of life. We would be so much better off as we follow God's will and his plan. He loves us and gave his son to die on a cross to pay for our sins. Greater love has any man than to lay down his life for another. God did this for you and me. Jesus laid down his life for us. Lets follow a loving God. God bless, LVZ.

Guidance Needed

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13 Here we find the children of Israel on their journey through the wilderness. They have come through the Red Sea and are singing songs of praise. Then their journey takes them through a desert. So quickly, they grumble. The water is bitter and unfit to drink. God direct them to through a piece of wood into the water and the water becomes fit to drink. God is there guiding every step of the way. There are hard places along the way. We are much the same today. We don't understand when our Christian brothers and sisters are found with cancer. Yet we just lost a dear sister in the prime of life to cancer. One day she seemed healthy, I remember several small group gatherings and she was laughing and healthy, now a short time later she is gone forever to be with her God. Several others are facing their own battles, another brother in his last quarter of life has already gone through surgery but still cancer remains. Some God heals and others God takes so quickly and I don't understand. Life is left up to God. In unfailing love he leads us on the path he has for us. We need to depend on his strength for there is much we do not understand. I don't know the number of my days, but God does. Once when I was 26 years old, a long time ago I joked with a co-worker and friend, well I am a quarter of the way through my life. He liked that, because he was 58 and that meant he still had half his life before him. We moved on to other jobs and I don't know what happened to him. That was 38 years ago, he would be 98 if still living. I do not know.  Only God knows the number of our days. I am more than halfway even if I was right in my joking that day and I live to be 104. Only God knows my days and I need his guidance everyday. I pray he will continue to guide and direct my life. God bless, LVZ. 

Mourning

Another of Dad's sisters has taken her flight across the divide between the present and eternity. It was expected, of course being in God's hands we just didn't know exactly when. Then a dear sister from Church, went into Hospice care a few days ago. That is three in just a few short days. Aunt Delores was expected, my Niece Tracy, only 41 was not expected. Just a few months ago Lisa from church was leading our songs in our small group and we were so pleased to have another capable voice to help us. It was just that one time and then she was sick. Still a young woman, Lisa was not expected to leave us so soon a few months ago, but when she went to Hospice Care, we knew unless God provided a miracle it wouldn't be long. Aunt Delores was receiving care from her family for seven years. Much longer than most of us expected. Tracy was just unexpected, she was young and possibly not even half way through her life when looking at the longevity of her parents. All three are now in the hands of a loving God. God alone knows the number of our days. My expectation is another 20 years, but I really don't know. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16
 None of these deaths were a surprise to God. He still gives us free choice, and that free choice can affect our days. A smoker can shorten his life with his habit, A careless driver or someone given to road rage can shorten their days, but still it is not a surprise to God.  God knew every day that was formed for each of these precious children before they were born. We mourn the loss of these loved ones. Those left behind will miss them, but when we know their ticket to eternity was bought long ago, it makes it somewhat easier. I hope my words do not sound calloused or uncaring. Each was loved by family and friends and greatly missed. We  do need to be prepared, we do not know the number of our days. One was in her eighties, had a full life, one just forty-one, many years expected ahead of her.  The third was also too young, possibly in her forties also. Only God knows the number of our days. He promises to be with us through every trial, every stage of life, when we turn our hearts over to him. We need to be ready. God bless, LVZ.