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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

HUNKER DOWN

To pass the time in Ouray, the boys tunneled through the drifts and built forts. Christie Krull's photo.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. Nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

This time of year where the snow flies, you will see children frolicking within several layers of clothing and winter coats; with scarves, hats and mittens covering every extremity so that nothing can interrupt their building of snowmen, downhill sledding, or strategic plans implemented inside their snow forts that spring up overnight. 

Mountains of snowballs formed over many hours stand ready in piles for the onslaught of their neighboring foes. Once the preparation is completed, though, there is nothing left to do, but to hunker down and wait within the warmth of the snow caves made in the banks and drifts of the winter wonderland.

There are others quietly constructing their cyber worlds. Hourly they collect raw minerals and resources to build tools, that build protective housing, towers, walls and weapons. 

In times of peace crops are harvested. Animals are collected for food. Their skins are gathered into trunks for clothing and bigger ones are trained to haul lumber, water, and rocks while others learn to fight in tandem with men against any intruders.

Waiting and watching continually for any sign of invasion, my son called me over to admire all that he had worked hours to achieve.  It is amazing and much of this is accomplished through teamwork, intuitive leadership, and relentless creativity. 

He looked to see my reaction and I noticed a slight grin creeping across his face and his shoulders thrown back a bit more as he reviewed his creation through my eyes. I shook my head and smiled in amazement as I expressed my sentiments for all he developed in his world with such artistry and diligence. 

Reflecting on my son's serious preparations for this inevitable invasion in his game, I considered the fact that today our society is openly faced with horrific attacks from those who oppose godly people and call us satan. 

The tide has turned in the past few decades. Freedoms I once enjoyed are challenged and respect for a loving, holy God is eroding in many circles.  

This bastion of freedom has infected the world with the anti-virus of hope, tickling minds with the idea that all men are created equal. Perhaps we can have our differences and live in peace. And maybe, more than the just the top 1% in a nation can enjoy a healthy diet, a simple roof over their heads, peace in a neighborhood, without being enslaved and losing their dignity.

Yes, we ARE guilty of "brain-washing". We spread the words that stir a man's spirit. A breath of air to fuel the fire burning within, desiring a better life; if not in their lifetime, better for posterity. 

Yes, we spread the news throughout the world that man is not alone. We are not an island. There is a world community out there who can band together for good. But greater than that, there is a creator who has very different intentions for mankind.

Now it seems as though our country is hunkered down and waiting. We have made some good headway in areas, but mistakes too. Many resources benefit the needy, but much more has been spent on the inventions of death. 

While elements of gang warfare are stopped and their training grounds are stamped out, more spawn and morph into malicious offspring who seem to have no other purpose but to feeding their bloodlust by maiming and killing innocent victims. Cowards.

Fear spreads its gnarly fingers across the face of the earth desiring to disable our resolve and our courage. A doctrine of death lands on our shores to challenge our core values. Our shaky foundations have become so thin, like ice on an April pond. We are on watch for the cracking to begin, causing the surface to cave in, destroying the dream.

My faith soars when evil raises its ugly head. Saints before me have withstood pain, suffering, and misunderstanding. They remained steadfast, hunkered down, and remind me that standing against popular opinion or enduring scoffers and mockery is not the end of the story.

I am encouraged for the Bible speaks of times when evil will increase. But the best part is that the good will increase as well! 

So, I will continue to prepare my heart. My mind will remain open to all that God is saying and doing in my midst. I have a formidable foe, but there is no one like my God! 

I will continue to be firmly planted in the Word of God. I will not tire of doing good. I will love my neighbor as myself. I will promote the care of orphans and widows. I will defend the fatherless. For I know that my God is an awesome God of Angel-Armies! He is on my side.

Pray, watch, and remain faithful. This is what Holy Spirit says. The world needs to see our resolve more than ever. Only God can bring joy in the midst of craziness. I need the peace that only comes when I turn things over to my omniscient Father in heaven. And rather than gathering more possessions and stuffing them into my crammed drawers and closets, I need to share hope for eternity. 

My world, with all of its natural beauty and resources is sifting like sands through the sieve of time. Yet, in eternity, time will be no more. My body will be released from its earthly limitations. I will thrive and marvel at the opportunities to use my gifts.  Endless frontiers exist out there for me to explore. Adventures await that the most brilliant minds cannot conceive.

Rather than crouching and hiding amid whimpers and complaints at what is happening all around me, I prepare myself, just as I did years ago when readying for a snowball fight. Resolute, no turning back.  

The wisdom of God is my teacher and the one true God is the leader I seek. Let God arise and my enemies be scattered. 

Release the Lion of Judah into the arena of my life. I have nothing to lose and all to gain. 

Ready.


posted by Kris Valloton originally







#gangs #terrorists #war #atrocities #God #eternity #faith #joy #peace #freedom #Lion of Judah #wisdom





Wednesday, December 2, 2015

NEW RAIN

He pulls water up out of the sea, distills it, and fills up his rain-cloud cisterns. The the skies open up and pour out soaking showers on everyone. Does anyone have the slightest idea how this happens? How he arranges the clouds, how he speaks in thunder?  Just look at that lightning, his sky-filling light show illuminating the dark depths of the sea! These are symbols of his sovereignty, his generosity, his loving care. Job 36:27-31 (MSG)

I read this after going through some pretty rough storms on a trip back home from Arizona.


Written thousands of years ago, God tells Job and his friends off for blaming God for bad things going on. They over reached in questioning God's character and purposes.  

Have times changed that much? Our thinking is so warped by this materialistic, flesh pleasing culture in which instant gratification is the norm.  

The young and old cry out for justice, peace and hope. We try to understand as government collides with our liberties and basic rights.

Our government is not the only place that is cheating us, the church is losing touch with its source of effectiveness and purpose.

Church many places is about numbers, the amount of offerings, or the splashy programs to entertain and mesmerize the masses to change them into followers.  

Rituals leave us semi-satisfied, feeling that we have met an obligation. Fellowship and living in community bring the joy and fullness of synergy through interaction and true life experiences shared generating a family of believers, ready to encourage and bless one another.

Living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit is the answer to so many disillusioned believers. Sparks have been lit through the ages and fires burned where this truth struck hearts and lives.

Jesus showed us the way, but not by establishing religion and religious rituals. He told us this: 

"I will ask the Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. 
The world cannot accept, him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives in you and will be in you." John 14:16-17 (NIV)

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26 (NIV)

I am ready for new rain of the spirit.  Bring us a rushing river of refreshing and renewal to quench the thirst within us for justice and for peace on this earth.  Bring a harvest of people who will surrender to the God of love.  

Let us see Jehovah's mighty works, beginning with my own heart. Fill me with your love for others so that I do not concern myself merely with my own comforts and desires, but rather that I desire to share the wonder of God's love with all mankind.

Rain upon me and fill me Lord with your Holy Spirit! Fill me with your truth, power, and peace. Pour your love through me. Let this new rain fall upon all who desire it. For your ways are greater than our ways.

Photo credit goes to Christian Philip Krull IV, my youngest son.