Vendredi 29 janvier 2010 5 29 /01 /Jan /2010 20:14

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 wonder what you think about this...I was watching the news last night and I was so overwhelmed by "death stories" in one newscast.  I wonder whether we should start a "Good News" show rather than what I saw.

TOYOTA

The Toyota Car Manufacture is up against the wall for a "pedal" problem.  It seems that the whole company has come to a standstill for the problem.  They announced 18 deaths had taken place.  I thought to myself, what a horrendous problem for Toyota over 18 deaths.  Is the action Toyota has taken warranted by 18 deaths?  Are we overreacting?

CANCER

There was a story about Cancer.  I'm almost certain that a story about cancer comes up every two or three days on the news.  To be sure, there is a lot of cancer, and many who have it.  We don't seem to have been able to "stamp out" cancer, like we have other diseases.  Now I hear that we have 1,500 (on average) deaths from Cancer everyday.   Yes, that's what I thought...1,500 people is a lot of people in one day.  Yet, what stops us in our tracks, is not the 1,500 deaths yesterday, but the 18 deaths of the Toyota plight.  What do you think of the amount of focus we put on 18, but not the same focus  about the 1,500?  Is there an "out of control" attitude we should have about these numbers?

DR. TILLER

Last night they reported in the same news about a man in testimony for himself, in defense of his killing Dr. Tiller.  Dr. Tiller was known as the "late-term abortion Doctor."  The man on trial said that he was trying to stop all the deaths of babies who were being aborted at the hand of Dr. Tiller...therefore, his action of murdering Dr. Tiller was justified.  He was doing God's will in stopping the abortions.  So I think to myself, if each state had one abortion clinic, and each clinic did one abortion a day, we would have 50 deaths in the U.S. everyday.  It certainly does not amount to the same as all the people dying of Cancer, but it is more than the "pedal" problem at Toyota.  Do you think that we have an "unbalanced idea" of what we should feel about the deaths of some, compared to the amounts of death for another reason?

WAR

Evidently, in Iraq there was a bombing and the killing of several people just recently.  Are we upset about those Iraqis or has it just become so common place that we do not even flinch anymore?

PHIL

PETA also made the news last night.  It seems that with Ground Hog Day coming up and "PHIL" the ground hog is going to be coming out, for his yearly event;  PETA is very concerned about all the flashbulbs that will be going off and upsetting the ground hog.  The ones in charge said that "PHIL" gets treated better than most children in our society.  WHAT?  Is this possibly true?  Should we save this "poor" ground hog from all the strain, and emotional problems he will suffer by not displaying him in front of all the cameras?  Do we need those bright lights shining in his face causing insurmountable damage to his well-being?

TEXT-MESSAGING

The DOT Secretary came on last night to tell us that "truck drivers" will be fined a large sum of money if they are found to be talking on a phone, or text-messaging to others.  Evidently, there are deaths that we are concerned about when it comes to truck drivers and I assume other persons in responsibility of transporting people.  Why do we not make a law for ALL PEOPLE?  Why is it that so many can continue to do these things and yet, we narrow the scope on just a few, who may be more responsible than the rest of us on the road.

THE REAL QUESTION

The question isn't about the fact that there are deaths, but I want to know what you feel about some of these issues that have to do with "OUR BEHAVIOR" on our Journey?  Think of 1,500 people dying today because of Cancer and WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT THAT?  Each news item had it's weight based on itself, and yet when thinking through all those stories, I had a reaction about them of what am I doing about all these items?  Do I think about what I can do to help?  Do I want to buy a Toyota, or should my life be marked by taking the life of another because of my strong belief system?

ACTION

A woman who is a nurse and came from Haiti years ago, took all the sick days and time she could get off, and went to help those who are in need in Haiti.  A TV news woman from Duluth, a nurse, quit her job (effective this weekend) and will be going over to help all the people of Haiti. 

I don't know if I should be more concerned about "PHIL" or Haiti?  I don't know if Cancer should have been eradicated by now, or if there are good alternatives to the abortion clinics of our society, but I do know, we give different levels of interest and concern for all these different issues in our society?  So what is it that you are most concerned for and what in your life in the next 3-5 days will you begin to concentrate on?

So as you continue on your Journey today, what is your reaction to these various concerns of our world?  How can you make a difference (small as it may seem) for those on the Journey with you?  Can you do something about these things or other things that are around you?

I would like to encourage you to consider these things, and in the light of what I have said, you might be stimulated (a stimulus package) to do something new, bold, or refreshing for yourself and to others.

On My Father's Business, my own stimulus package,

Love,  Dean

http://deants.wordpress.com

Par deants
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Jeudi 28 janvier 2010 4 28 /01 /Jan /2010 23:26

SUMMARY!

Over the past several weeks I have done a series from the "be attitudes" of Jesus in Matthew 5.  Prior to that, I blogged that we can take with us, all that we have if we know how to do it.  I included a "catapult" idea that would allow you, when understood, to store up in Heaven, what you have here on earth.

MONIES

Like putting money in a bank for a "rainy day," we store up or "lay up for ourselves treasures in Heaven."  I mentioned that money spent in the way God's Word teaches to store up for ourselves "goodwill" in Heaven by giving help to those who are needy,  to give food and drink to those who are in need, and to bind up the hurt and bring healing to fellow travelers.

BEATITUDES

Matthew 5:3-12 mentions ways in which we can show ourselves to be "God followers" by having qualities of life to measure our lives by.  IN SO DOING, WE RECEIVE "GOD'S BLESSING" AND WE RECEIVE REWARDS FOR THAT BEHAVIOR.

  • We receive the Kingdom of God...We are part of God's Kingdom while still on earth. (vs. 3)
  • We will be comforted by God.  (vs.  4)
  • We will inherit the whole earth.  (vs.5)
  • We will be satisfied in our lives. (vs. 6)
  • We will be shown mercy. (vs. 7)
  • We will see God.  (vs. 8)
  • We will be called "Children of God."  (vs. 9)
  • We will receive the Kingdom of Heaven. (vs. 10)
  • We will get a "great reward" awaiting us in Heaven.  (vs. 12)

This will be the rewards of living a life where God will bless us.  He proves to us that He will give to us over and over more abundantly.

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

While we can see the value of these behaviors here on earth in a partial way, we are so much more "laying up for ourselves treasures in Heaven,"  in a complete way and in a fulfilled way. 

Matthew 6:19-20 says, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal." 

There is so much on our Journey to learn, to motivate us, to grow us to become better people.  As we look around and see how we can live and be a "blessing" to others, we need to keep making sure we understand and know that all this is for the present as well as the future.   We are storing up for ourselves more and more in the future Kingdom of God.

BLESSED BY GOD

God blesses us as we live this life fully engaged in His will and His way.  What a great challenge for me and I trust for you.  What a goal to strive for from day-to-day.  How will you store up for yourself, "treasures in Heaven," tomorrow as you live?  What kinds of things will you be able to change in your life that will make a difference to others?

On My Father's Business, storing up for future,

Love,   Dean

http://deants.wordpress.com

Par deants
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Mercredi 27 janvier 2010 3 27 /01 /Jan /2010 21:20

MOCK YOU/LIE ABOUT YOU!

EVERYONE LOVES A CONTEST!

Everyone loves a contest.  Here's one for you to check out.  Kirsten, my daughter, has submitted a recipe for a contest on local channel 5 show.  She has a video and a recipe she redid for Breakfast.  You might love the recipe, and she would love to win the contest.  It's a win-win for all.  Thanks, and the taste of this Breakfast is good.  Try it--you'll like it!  http://kstp.upickem.net/engine/Registration.aspx?contestid=13241&d=t%2fSBVHj3JskA 

You will need to register but it only takes a few minutes and probably the recipe printed and used would be worth it.  Also look to the side of this page:

Dean's Blog:   http://deants.wordpress.com  and Kirsten's name is on your right.  Click that on.

MOCK YOU OR LIE ABOUT YOU

Making fun of a person is something we either have done, on purpose or unknowingly.  We have certainly heard others talk about someone, making fun of them.  Sometimes we do this because our own self-image is hurting in someway, and by making fun of someone else/mocking them we feel better about ourself. 

Also, without thinking about it carefully, we can lie about another person.  Sometimes we don't have all the facts, and we say things that are only half-true.  We shade the facts about others. 

RELIGIOUS PEOPLE ARE NOT EXEMPT

I have noticed over the years that religious people fall into these errors even though they should be the example of people who should not "mock" people or "lie"  about people.  In my unit at work years ago, a man was off to Iraq for a year.  The group which I worked with, took a picture of everyone, except me (they forgot I worked with them) and sent it with this man to Iraq so he would not forget them.

A couple of nights after the picture taking, I saw the picture.  They were all holding up one hand with one extended middle finger suggesting this was a military salute to our friend.  One guy did not do this.  I asked several people about it, and they commented generally, "Well you know ____, and being religious he wouldn't do that."

I knew exactly what they were saying, and it was done by "religious people" who were somewhat mocking him for his Christian values.  He had high standards which he lived by according to the Biblical view he held.   This was something he would never take part in, although he chose to be in the picture.

As time went by, he was persecuted also for his "belief" system and even told by one co-worker to go back home to where he came from.  He was from India, and had come here to become an American Citizen.  There was a lot of anger towards this man for his religious beliefs but focused on his ethnic background. 

This was blatant but it can be subtle.  Many Somalians worked with us and there was always a edge on many of the Americans against them for their beliefs.  They would go off the floor at various times during work hours and "pray to Mecca."  While we all took "unauthorized breaks" from time-to-time, it always anger many employees that these people would practice their "religion" on the clock. 

GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO ARE MOCKED

Matthem 5:11 says, "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.  (vs 12) Be happy about it!  Be very glad!  For a great reward awaits you in Heaven.  And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." 

It is true that people will talk about you in negative and mocking ways, if you follow Jesus Christ.   It is true that they will find ways to "make fun" of you and your life, if you choose to live a life of right principles.  It is true that they will find fault with you if you become excited about your relationship with God.

Have you ever thought about a person who has an extra zeal for his/her relationship to God/Jesus Christ?  Have you thought them to be odd?  Have you avoided those who profess their faith in common expression when you are around them? 

We tend to focus on the Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses who go out (in twos) to share their faith.  We tend to "mock" religious leaders who preach on T.V. all the time.  I remember when the Bakers were on T.V. and a friend had invited me over for dinner one evening and it so happened that Tammy Faye was on the set crying her eyes out.  All I could think of was her mascara running down her cheeks...all that make-up.  What I didn't focus on, was what she was saying or the intense feeling she had for God.

God blesses those who are mocked...God blesses those who are persecuted...God blesses those who are lied about from others...God blesses those who have all sorts of evil said about them...because they follow God/Jesus Christ.  Have you found yourself mocking, lying about, persecuting or talking "smack" about people who are followers of Christ? 

They will get a great reward for putting up with this.  They, in this life, should be happy/glad that they know the rewards waiting for them in Heaven.   

GOD BLESSES YOU WHEN PEOPLE MOCK YOU, LIE ABOUT YOU, PERSECUTE YOU, AND DO ALL SORTS OF EVIL AGAINST YOU....YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR REWARDS IN HEAVEN.  It is not easy or fun, but it does have a lasting reward for you.

AND BY THE WAY, YOU ARE IN GOOD COMPANY...EVEN THE 'ANCIENT PROPHETS' WENT THROUGH THIS SAME TREATMENT.  SOMETIMES WHEN WE GET TO KNOW OTHERS ON THIS JOURNEY, WE ARE COMFORTED SOMEWHAT BECAUSE THEY ALSO HAVE THE SAME THINGS HAPPEN TO THEM.

On My Father's Business, looking for rewards in the future,

Love,  Dean

http://deants.wordpress.com

Par deants
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Mardi 26 janvier 2010 2 26 /01 /Jan /2010 19:44

PERSECUTED!

GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED!  NOT PERSECUTED FOR JUST ANYTHING....BUT PERSECUTED FOR "RIGHT" BEHAVIOR.  The behavior is not subjective such as:  if you think it's right...it is right! 

FIRST

I have gotten caught off guard in the last several days.  When I was on the cruise, I was paying $.50 per minute for internet in my room.  I could not use the media room provided.  It was just too busy all the time.  Also the cost of 150 minutes cost $75.00 and I just couldn't write for a length that I was used to.  I wanted to keep going, but as you can see from my last several blogs, they were not cleaned-up, and they were short. 

I then was in transit for several days, and decided to wait until I got home.  I now am able to blog at length again.  I am sorry for the lack of blogging coming out.

PERSECUTED

This is when you do something right and people laugh at you or scoff you.  You may tend to the disabled...and people do not realize the deep commitment some of that takes.  It's more to the fact that in the workplace/school/neighborhood or such other contacts with people, they make fun of your "right living practices."  I have a friend who I worked with, who made it very clear what his "moral and religious beliefs were.  Everyone knew it, but some would laugh behind his back and some even spoke "ill of him" to his face for his faith.

OLD RULES

I saw a T-shirt that says, "Old men rule!"  Being an "old man" (not that old) I still know we don't rule... but it must be my turn pretty soon....W--W--W--H--H--H--E--E--E--N--N--N?   When I was a teenager (and I can assure you I was) my parents had rules of "no dancing, no going to shows, etc."  My parents weren't too concerned with the internet, seeing as how Gore had not invented that yet, but what they did not want us to do is dance and go to shows. 

I had taken notes to school for Gym class to sit out of the dancing classes...today I wish I had learned to dance.  Another rule was we could not go to the theatre in town.   I guess it was my church's belief and therefore my parent's belief that we not to go to shows.

Many of my friends would tell me about them, but they thought this was silly because of my beliefs.  We do know today that sometimes, the movie industry has led the "moral" behavior of the citizens of our society.  We also know that when younger people watch and play too much violent videos, that can lead to behavior "unacceptable" to the norm.  For instance, a child who spends much of his time "killing" others in "fake" situations, could become intrigued into trying it in real life to see "how if feels."  Much of the violence can be based on the "changing norms of our society" to accept this behavior.

RIGHT BEHAVIOR PRODUCING PERSECUTION

I would like to remind you of Noah, from the OT, who understood the possibility of "persecution" of those around him.  He was told by God to build a boat and take on that boat his family, and two of every kind of animals of the earth.  He could have left snakes, spiders, alligators, scorpions, pitbulls off the ark, but his "right behavior" was to do it just as God had told him.

IF YOU WERE NOAH, AND GOD CAME TO YOU TOMORROW AND TOLD YOU TO BUILD THIS BIG BOAT IN YOUR BACK YARD, BECAUSE GOD IS GOING TO DESTROY THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING IN IT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?  Can you imagine the amount of persecution you might be confronted with? 

Has God ever asked you to just share a message of hope with someone, and you feel foolish to do so?  Have you ever...I mean...ever chosen not to do something, because people around you might think you odd, or laugh at you, or make fun of you? 

GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED!

Now before you start going around being "obnoxious" let's understand what God blesses.  Matthew 5:10 says, "God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."  We have to understand what it means to "do right."

It may mean any number of things:

  • Those who are "poor" in their need of God in their lives
  • Those who "mourn" and need comfort
  • Those who act "humbly" rather than arrogant
  • Those who seek and desire to show "justice"
  • Those who show "mercy" to others on their Journey
  • Those who have a "pure heart" rather deceit and scams and lies-having right motives
  • Those who work for "peace" in their lives and other lives, etc.

I am aware of a church in the midwest that has decided to "picket" others in our society, for their views on AIDS and HIV and gays, etc.  They move all across the midwest and picket funerals of service men, because "our country" is moving towards "more freedoms for the gay society," and therefore anyone who serves his country, should be picketed.  It is not the belief of the servicemen, but they are serving "AN UNGODLY COUNTRY."

That is not the persecution spoken of here.  God blesses those who work for right behavior in doing "right works."  He/she who goes to work to help alleviate the pain of the suffering, to give his/her life to others who are in need. 

Last night on the news they profiled an 87 year old Doctor who went over to Haiti to help as he could.  He said he was a "man of faith" but this had to do with "doing something" which comes out of his faith. 

James 2:14 says, "What good is it, brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?..."

There will be times on our Journey that we will find ourselves being made fun of, or being scoffed at, or standing (isolated) alone for doing the right stuff.  GOD BLESSES THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR DOING RIGHT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS THEIRS.

On My Father's Business, keeping my eye on the "right behavior."

Love,  Dean

http://deants.wordpress.com

Par deants
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Jeudi 21 janvier 2010 4 21 /01 /Jan /2010 14:55

PEACEMAKER

My Account Global DashboardStatsBlog SurferTag SurferMy CommentsMy BlogsEdit ProfileSupportWordPress.comLog OutMy DashboardNew PostBlog Info Random PostFollow this BlogAdd to BlogrollGet ShortlinkReport as spamReport as matureSearchDean's Blog A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT AboutFOR MENG-SUSGOOD QUESTIONTHE JOURNEYPosted by: deants | January 21, 2010 (edit) PEACEMAKERSometime in your life you have been or will be confronted with a situation where peace is hard to find. Maybe it’s relatives that don’t see eye-to-eye, or friends where something has gone wrong. It is a trait of Scandinavian people to “find peace at all costs.” They go out of their way, or give up anything they can to make peace with others. ISRAEL If you ever go to Israel and hire a guide, they will ask you to “Pray for Peace of Israel.” All around Israel are Arab countries so that on all sides they are confronted with “enemies.” “Pray for the Peace of Israel.” All their history, they have had to contend with enemies who want to do them harm. They live in the midst of their enemies. That’s what living in this world is in part. Living among others who may want to harm us. Those who are not looking for our interests, but their own interest. PEACEpoints o Matthew 5:9 says, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the Children of God.” This carries the idea that we should pursue, strive for or seek after, to aspire to make peace. To find the points of contention between others and try to bring them together. Israel has been in a battle for it’s territory from many of the nations around, including the Gaza Strip/West Bank. Jimmy Carter tried to broker a deal with the two sides, and they came together to agree to certain terms. However, things went sour and there is a continual unrest among those people. Many Arabs live inside the border of Israel and have found peace with the Israeli people. But it takes a lot of negotiations to bring them to peace. God says for us who strive to bring peace, we will get as reward, to be called a child of God. There is an anticipation in us to help reconcile positions of people and groups that cannot find peace. We will pursue a peaceful means of dealing with differences. Paul says, in Philippians 3:14, “I press on to reach the end of the race….” Can you say, you press on or aspire to be a man/woman of peaceful means? Are you striving on your Journey for peace with others? On My Father’s Business, seeking peace, Love, Dean http://deants.wordpress.com
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