Valley of Jehoshophat

Joel 3:9  "Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. 10)  Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong."

In lieu of recent happenings with the shootings, in terrorism, and such, with people joining some of these organizations a person is flabbergasted. How and why, I wonder would anyone choose to join such an organization? The second thought that flummoxes me is why, when you consider how repressive this religion is toward women, are women joining this group?

Christianity has lifted women out of the second class section and given them importance in our modern society, but...
One fact that is foundational in the support of a Supreme Being (Jehovah God) is that humans are worshipful creatures. In every culture throughout history, it is a fact that humans have worshiped some sort of a god, be it an idol, or the true deity. Fast forward to our day and age where people are told there is no God, we just evolved.

~In our hearts we still have a need for worship that will not be denied.

Our hearts and our souls know better. However, even Christians—men and women—live like there is no God, and we won't be held accountable to His standards. We live as if what God himself tells us doesn't matter. We live as if it's all about us. That we are what matters.

So, it comes as an oxymoron that some women from both Muslim, and non-Muslim cultures join such groups looking for something that challenges them to be different from our westernized society. I have read for quite a few years now of Elders from the church trying to warn our society of the way we are raising our girls. We raise them to be everything a man can be, but a woman wasn't created for that. And in their heart, women know that.

 Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about.

 Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe: come, tread ye; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great.

  Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision.

Joel 3:12, 13, 14

A High Calling

During a discussion many years ago a fellow student wife related how after she and her husband's recent conversion to Christianity, friends and family had questioned her about her husband's 'calling' in accordance with their new faith in the Lord. They had not been Christians long when her husband decided to head for Tennessee and a new endeavor—a school of preaching. In her family's experience a person had to recieve a call from God, and they were very interested in how that call had come about for him.

Over the years I pondered the question:   ACalling from God? Who, What, When and Where? Maybe even Why?

• Who? All people are called.

  "And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35)  but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him." Acts 10:34

21) "But now apart from the law a righteousness of God hath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22)  even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; 23)  for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 24)  being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:21-24)
                           
 *We are all called since all have sinned, all need a saviour, and all can be saved.

• What is the calling?

  "And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me."
(Matthew 10:38 ASV)

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
(Matthew 16:24 ASV)

"And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
(Mark 8:34 ASV)

"And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."
(Luke 9:23 ASV)
*To put to death ourselves (cross) and walk in the way of Jesus (follow Him).              

•  When is the calling?

   (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, And in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): (2Corinthians 6:2)
*Now, right now, today.

• Where does the calling take place? 

"The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:" (Acts 17:30)
 *All men (people/mankind), everywhere, repent (now).

Because:

  "inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Act 17:31) Jesus was resurrected from the dead after becoming a propitiation for our sins, that when we obey Jesus we will find a life worth living --while here on this earth, and later, eternal life with him.
*"He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."            (Matthew 10:39 ASV)                    

 "but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living:"1Peter 1:15

*When the Bible speaks of Christianity as a 'high calling', that is what it is. God has called us out of worldly ways, to be holy, and godly.


*A person doesn't have to come from living in a pig stye to appreciate living in a comfortable, nice home.

When People Don't

Ecclesiastes 10:7 "I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth."

Many things happen in this world, some make sense; some things don't. Of late I read an article about two people who had been married twenty years that were going their separate ways. It was poignant. It  gave the distinct impression that one of the people in the separation wasn't happy about it. Resigned would be the word I'd use.

Change: The More Things Change The More They Stay the Same~

The one writing the farewell began by stating: I know I'm not easy to live with...
Well, well in all truth and honesty--who is? I'm asserting that each one of us has faults, defects, frailties--you get the idea. Since no one is perfect, no one is 'easy to live with'. Granted, some are easier to live with than others, but there is more often than not, a period of adjustment.

The impression I got, was one person of the duo was resigned to becoming single, and the other person had things they wanted to do i.e. "I'm happy for you that you'll be going back to further your education". What? You mean that to go back to college requires you to leave your mate of twenty years behind? We understand how callous that is when men begin families then leave them behind for something and someone new. That's shallow and callous.

Do we ever outgrow the people we love? Should we ever outgrow the people we love?

 I have a feeling that in the case of the original couple the 'she' of the pair at least thought she wanted something different. Maybe it was the 'change of life' syndrome. Both men and women have those 'changes', by the way. In the case of this 'she', it sounded like a syndrome of the grass is greener somewhere else. The answer in that case is, the grass is always greener where you water it.

There were three comments. The one summed it up in a short comment--Quitters, you couldn't have tried a little harder? Of course we don't know all the circumstances, but after twenty years where was the disconnect--and couldn't they have looked for it? But it takes two in a relationship. If one half isn't interested it doesn't work.

We all grow and change. I've been a lot of places, seen a lot of things in my life, but I will always be me. The people I love will always be in my heart. I don't intend to trade them in for something more green. I loved my grandparents and my in-laws. We tried to do for them as much as we could. As my husband and I grew older our house often was the spot for the Thanksgiving meals, and Christmas meals, and birthdays. Wherever we went we took them along.With each of their passing a part of my life went with them. I've wrapped it up in a neat little place in my heart.

But I wish I had known several things when I was in my younger years that I've discovered with aging.

• I've discovered, there are things I can't do. And I won't ask someone else to do it. One of the side notes is--it isn't I wouldn't let someone do it for me, or at least help, but if people don't care enough to be in my life to find out what I need, I'm not going to ask them.
• I've discovered that the family I thought was the greatest family on earth--isn't.
• I've discovered that all of us, as we go through life never do the things we want. Sure, we try to do the right things, but trying isn't accomplishing, and life is not easy. Modern life is horrible on families--even the greatest family on earth. 
• I've discovered to be kind. Many people would do better--see last discovery. I've apologized profusely for not getting enough done, even though the Good Lord knows I really wanted to, because I love, and have loved my family so much. 
• I've discovered that, just as the ex-pro football player said, there is no amount of fame in your younger life that makes up for being forgotten when you're older.

 2Corinthians 1:3  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4)  who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
                              Hallelujah, what a Savior. 

Who Will Be Your Leader?

In life we have leaders and followers. Leaders in all walks of life. What makes a good leader?  Maybe even who makes a good leader? I would like to look at some of the leaders we find in the scriptures through a series of posts. 

Years ago, I read a book, One Straw Revolution, written by a Japanese man by the name of Manasobu Fukuoka. It has been so long ago I don't remember a lot of it, but one part resonated with me, and I will rephrase it since the wording seemed somewhat questionable, the gist was most people if given their choice of the type of ruler (leader) would choose the guy that wee's by the side of the road. Or, in my way of thinking an unassuming type of fellow that allows people to be free.


Moses as a young man sets out to save his fellow Israelites. He was raised as the son of Pharoh's daughter in the palace, but his own mother had been paid to nurse him after Pharoh's daughter found him in the little boat and drew him 'out of the water'. He probably was in his parents' care until he was five years old. During the important formative years.

However, at the age of forty he is out and about where he sees an Egyptian beating and Israelite. He comes to the aid of the Israelite, and the Egyptian dies. The next day he tries to separate two Israelites who are fighting. And this is what happens:

 Exodus 2:13  "And he went out the second day, and, behold, two men of the Hebrews were striving together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14)  And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?"

What a shock to poor Moses. Here he thought God had a purpose for him to be a helper for God's people. He was trying to help them to be 'free'. And what's more, Pharoh was after him now. So he fled to a land far away. A land called Midian. Moses liked Midian. It was peaceful and quiet. He liked the sheep, The sheep liked him. He was given a wife. He had food, lodging, a wife, and sheep. What more could he want? What more could he ask?

Then God appears to him in the burning bush with a mission. And Moses says to God:
Exods 4:13  And he said, Oh, Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

Basically Moses says, thanks, but no thanks, God. Find someone else to lead your people. Moses had seen the heart of these people all he wanted to see, back when the two Hebrews were striving together.

Moses didn't desire money, power, or prestige. You couldn't give him anything that would make him desire the role of leading these people out of the land of Egypt.  But God still said, GO-- and he went. Not for money, nor for gain, but for God.
Hallelujah. What a Saviour.

When I Was a Child

The short video clip shows a woman in a grocery store pushing the cart. It's an advertisement for something, and after a short spiel the camera shot widens out to show a small child helping himself from the shelf. He has chips and some other child type item in his arms. Now, as he anticipates his mother's rejection of his choices, a tantrum look begins to appear on his face. However, as some of these clips are meant to do, the adult in the clip heads him off at the water fountain.

The woman throws herself down on the grocery store floor and begins to pitch the mother of all tantrums. The child, wide eyed and open mouthed stands aghast, plastered against the shelf, as his mother kicks and screams with abandon.  After a decent tantrum she picks herself up, walks back to her cart--the child puts his selections back on the shelf--and they walk on down the aisle together as if nothing had ever happened.

Funny--right?

It's like many things, funny on the stage or in the movies, but not always in real life.

For instance, a husband and wife that have been married, oh, say ten years give or take a few years. That's long enough to have made a decent start on a life together, perhaps they have begun to purchase a house, or a property, a car or two, maybe they have one or more children. Now one of them decides, you know what, I don't feel fulfilled. Or maybe they've fallen out of love. They decide to walk away from where they are--to just leave it all behind.

Well, now, let's just throw ourselves down on the grocery store floor and have a tantrum. It isn't just that when a couple goes through a divorce they both will lose everything, but what about the baggage?

As a couple unites in marriage they begin to bring their lives together, as it would seem, each person begins to put a little bit from themselves (and their previous single lives) into the pot. The scriptures tell us that a man and wife become one flesh, and studies show how literal that is. But it goes inside and out from bonding with each other, to buying things together, working for mutual good each for the other...So many things that can't be listed. That doesn't even cover the children that are brought into the picture. And now we're going to tear it all apart? Not real easy you aren't.

There are other ways adults can throw tantrums in relationships. It most often includes a healthy dose of self. At one time, back in the day when my daughter's daughter was a two-year old or prone to the throwing self on the floor stage, my daughter asked me, "Mom, do you think I ever look like that to God?"

I laughed. I'm sure not just my daughter, but everyone has those moments when we look like that. It causes me on occasion to take a deep breath and look at me.

1Corinthians 13:11 "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. 12)  For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known."

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

To Have

From this day forward, I take this person to be...
Nothing appears to be sacred any more. People run through life looking only for what makes them happy. If it doesn't make them happy it is thrown on the trash heap with how many items of broken dreams and broken promises?

Broken dreams and broken promises most often go together. True it is that sometimes things just don't work out consequently you end up with broken dreams, but often it comes about because of another person's failure.

When I was young even though my upbringing was not religious we were in some way belivers in the Golden rule.

 Mattew 7:12  "All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets."

Or as in our shortened view: Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you.

In the mid-80's it became: Do unto others before they do unto you. With the idea of getting the other guy before he gets you. The difference in the two philosophies is an upside down society, an upside down world.

Here are some ideas for changing our world back from the precipice that it is wavering on:

• Be real-- Don't put on a face. This means you are who you are. Romans12:9  "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."
• Strive to not just do right, but to be right. 1Peter 1:22  "Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:" (unfeigned=unpretended)
• Remember the principles taught by Paul here in Acts and try to follow them: Do not covet another persons' money, possesions or good fortune: Acts 20:33 "I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel."  
• Do minister to your own needs, and in such a way as to help others: Acts 20:34 "Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me."  
• Follow good examples, again helping the weak, and less fortunate: Acts 20:35 "In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
• Try to do good unto others and live peaceable lives:  Romans 12:18 "If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men."
• Lastly, realize that the scripture says--"If it be possible...and as much as in you lieth". You should strive to never be the cause of a problem, but there are some people that will not live peaceable with you. 2Timothy 4:14 "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord will render to him according to his works: 15) of whom do thou also beware; for he greatly withstood our words." 

Broken dreams and broken promises--it isn't always possible to avoid these happenings, but by living the way we need to live ourself we can minimize the chance of it happening. By encouraging others to live right and do right we make our society better one life at a time.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Praise God

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It works both ways. On days when we think we have all the answers, as well as the days when there seem to be no answers. Praise God who is in control in all situations.