The Shriners, Modern Day Sadducees Perhaps

June 9, 2011 in Faith with 5 Comments

The first time I remember being introduced to The Shriners, besides seeing them drive little motorized bikes wearing funny hats in the parade, was after taking my little cousin to the circus a few years ago. I walked away still clueless as to anything regarding the organization, but thought they produced a pretty good show. That was my last thought, until recently.

During a sermon in the series my church is currently focusing on, Everything Jesus Said, my pastor made me aware that one of the titled roles of being a Shriner is High Priest. I decided to do a little digging.

Here are some of the other titles:

  • Imperial Potentate – In 1 Timothy 6:15 this was used to describe Jesus.
  • Rabban – Used as a term of address and title of respect for a person ranking higher than a rabbi.
  • High Priest & Prophet – The head of a movement or chief exponent of a doctrine or an art is used to describe that of a High Priest. A prophet has several definitions you can view here. The best definition I believe is one who divinely inspired revelations. Jesus became our High Priest according to Hebrews 4. There are many prophets in the Bible, including Abraham, Moses, King David, and Elijah, just to name a few.

Is it just me or do you find this interesting?

Before I go any further, allow me to say that The Shriners have done some wonderful things, including the creation of Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, which have saved many lives.

But…

After doing a little more digging, I came to the Tacoma, Washington branch of the Shriners. Here is their comment regarding religion: “As long as you believe in a God, or some sort of Supreme Being you can join the Shriners. We do not allow people who do not believe in a God, some sort of Supreme Being, or atheists.”

Exodus 20:3 clearly states, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Notice the words gods in the Bible is not capatilized. It is only to be capitlizaed when referring to the only God, the God that created the Heavens and the Earth.

I decided to go one step further and contact the Shriner’s International Headquarters located in Tampa, Florida and ask them this question:

Do you believe there is only one way to Heaven and that the only way is through believing that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and accepting him as your personal Savior?

Unfortunately, after three attempts neither my phone calls or emails were answered.

Your thoughts?

Pros And Cons Of The Facebook Like Button

June 8, 2011 in Life with 1 Comment

Facebook is consistently providing new developments to its website. You can check in to locations and tag friends. Creating private groups has gotten easier. Tag friends in your posts by simply typing in their name.

Then… there is the LIKE button.

I personally love it. I use it often as a matter of fact. Whether liking a Bible verse that someone has posted or an adorable picture of their baby. Since the button came out I tend to like a lot of things.

But here’s what I’ve been thinking…. Does the Facebook like button keep us from really communicating with each other?

I have noticed lately that a lot less conversation takes place between my peeps and me. Recently someone wrote an encouraging statement on my wall. I read it, smiled and immediately clicked the like button. Then it was over. But it didn’t sit well with my heart. They had taken the time out of their day to encourage me and I didn’t even give them a thank you. I went back later and thanked them for their kind words.

Has the Facebook like button given us one more reason not to communicate?  In a world with tweets, text messaging, writing on someone’s wall and email, good ole’ fashioned face-to-face communication or phone conversations seem to be something of the past. I personally admit that talking on the phone isn’t my favorite thing to do. Silence on the other end gives me anxiety. (Yes, I have issues). I actually talk to people much more through the above mentioned forms of communication.

I sometimes wonder if I have given myself one more reason to shorten communication so I can continue on in a world of never-ending busyness.

What are your thoughts?

When Our Worlds Are Shaking

June 7, 2011 in Faith with 1 Comment

Do you have unanswered prayers? Wondering when God will take your pain away?

We all have days when we are trying to understand. When the end of the day comes we’re not any closer than we were the day before. Our hearts break and we ask why. The tears flow and we seek answers.

Though we may never understand or get the answers we so desparately want, God is always there. I’m so thankful!

I ran across this song a few weeks ago and it just spoke to my soul. I wanted to share it with you.

A Deeper Kind of Calm Book Review

June 6, 2011 in Book Reviews with 2 Comments

This book sat at the foot of my bed for a few weeks. I would walk into my room, stare at the package and think to myself, I need to read that. Looking back now I know it wasn’t the right time. A Deeper Kind of Calm stayed in that same spot until God knew I was ready for it.

“Pain is pain, and all pain hurts,” writes author Linda Dillow. We all experience pain in our lives. Perhaps you’re walking through some pain right now wondering when the end of the hurting will come.

After another doctor’s appointment and still no answers I was out of words to say. I would lie in bed crying, repeatedly telling God, “I don’t understand!” I didn’t want to speak to anyone. I didn’t want to see anyone. Then God said, “It’s time.”

I picked up the book and began to read. In the first chapter Dillow asked a question. “What do we do when pain overtakes the path of delight we had planned?” My plan was shifted and I was tired. Tired of trying to understand. I was in my own “Valley of Weeping.”

By chapter two I still didn’t understand, but I was choosing to be still. Trying to be quiet long enough to see what God wanted me to see out of this book. Did He ever show me.

Dillow took me through the Psalms and I was quickly able to take the focus off myself and put it on the Lord. I was able to remember the things He had done for me in the past and to meditate on His promises for the future. I was able to be still for the first time in a long time.

Linda says when choosing to remember what God has done for us, “Learning to see from God’s perspective is critical if we are to turn our Valley of Weeping into a Place of Blessing, our sorrow into signifigance, our failures into faith.

I have so many things underlined in this book it’s unbelievable. There was a big chunk of meaty truth in every paragraph of this amazing, life-changing book.

It’s a short read, but I took my time, wanting to absorb all that God was teaching me through the words of A Deeper Kind of Calm. Another added bonus is that there is a Bible Study included with the book. You can answer personal questions in the back of the book that give you more reflection time.

This book is a must read for anyone struggling through pain right now, or that has walked through their own Valley of Weeping in the past.

I would let you borrow my copy, but it’s a book I plan to read over and over again.

To purchase your copy of A Deeper Kind of Calm, click here.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Developing New Habits

June 2, 2011 in Faith, Life with 0 Comments

So, you’re a new Christian. Perhaps you’ve been a believer for 5, 10, 15 years. You love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. You know without a doubt that God has changed you and you’re a completely different person than you used to be. Over the course of your life you have developed many bad habits. How do you get rid of them now?

By Developing New Ones

Here are four key steps to developing new habits and getting rid of old ones, inspired by Max Lucado.

  1. Prayer - When trials come endure them. Maintain a habit of prayer (See Romans 12:12). This doesn’t mean you have to close your eyes, bow your head, fold your hands and include “thous” and “thees” in your prayers. Simply talk to God. Tell him what’s on your heart. Talk to him about the habits. He knows about them already.
  2. Study - Get into God’s Word. Look up key words for the habit your trying to break. Read Scripture that speaks clearly to you. Find different translations. Write verses on note cards and carry them with you. Keep God’s Word close (See Jams 1:25).
  3. Giving - Lucado says, “You don’t give for God’s sake. You give for your sake.” Setting aside your tithe and putting into the offering every Sunday should become a habit engrained in your heart. Giving should bring a smile to your face. It brings a smile to God’s. He doesn’t need the money. He needs your heart and your habit (See Deut. 14:23).
  4. Fellowship - Support is important. Some are fine with weekly support. I prefer daily support, even if it’s through an email, as I am able to be encouraged, to encourage others, stay accountable, and surround myself with others who are Jesus with skin on to me. Fellowship is a need (See Heb. 10:25).
What new habits are you incorporating to break the old ones?

What Would Jesus Tip?

June 1, 2011 in Faith, Life with 4 Comments

I live in the Bible Belt – Branson, Missouri. Every show you attend has a tribute to the veterans and sings at least one gospel song. That’s great! There’s a church on every corner, and the majority of them have been voted “Number One Show On The Strip.” You can pretty much find any kind of food you are looking for, whether it’s fried chicken or sushi.

On Sundays, when the services get out and the “church folks” show up for lunch, the servers at those restaurants cringe. Why? “It’s those Christians again!” The ones who snap at the waitress because their steak was overcooked. The ones who hold hands and pray before the meal, moan when their water glass gets half empty, then walk out the door without leaving a tip.

I have seen it first hand and as a Christian, honestly, it ticks me off. We are to be Jesus with skin on to those around us, but instead we walk into a restaurant feeling entitled to the waitress’ services. They may be there to serve us, but may I remind you that we are there to serve them as well? Are you doing your part?

Jesus dined out at the feeding of the five thousand. He was the chef (Matthew 15:29-38; 14:13-21).

During Passover he washed the feet of the disciples. He became the servant (John 13:1-17).

During his meal with the Pharisees, a woman with a dark past anointed him with expensive perfume. He didn’t complain when she interrupted his meal (Luke 7:36-38).

The only time Jesus got rude during a meal was when the Pharisees showed their horrible treatment of others (Luke 7:39-50).

When was the last time you asked your servers name? When was the last time you asked how their day was going? When was the last time you asked how you could pray for them? Give it a shot. I can almost guarantee you they will walk around the rest of the day smiling because someone served them.

What would Jesus leave a waiter?

These are the words of Max Lucado:

Encouragement to help him endure the struggles of his job.
Forgiveness despite the mismatched orders and dirty spoon.
Eternity with a spoken word or an invitation to hear more.
Thanks communicated clearly through a satisfactory gratuity of 15 to 20 percent.

Conforming vs. Transforming

May 31, 2011 in Faith with 0 Comments

As I sat in the midst of the Captivating Retreat in Nashville, I had the honor of attending with my fellow sisters of the Daily Audio Bible community. Romans 12:2 was written on my heart.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Jill Hardin, lead speaker at the event gave a very profound statement: “We either conform or we transform.”

If not careful I can find myself quickly playing the game of the world. It’s so easy to be consumed in a single breath to the desires of my flesh. Before I know it I’m begging God for the oxygen mask. I am desperate for fresh air as I stand in the smog of the world. And just as He promises, God shows up with the oxygen and the fresh breath of His Word to pull me out of the pit. Sometimes it’s hard for me to figure out why He loves me so much.

But I also find that it’s those times of deep desperation that the transformation comes. Sometimes we just have to walk through the smog of the world before the inward changes happen. God happens to be patient enough to allow it.

Here are three questions to consider when deciding to conform or transform:

  1. What kind of person do you want to be?
  2. What is getting in the way?
  3. Are you a person running to other lovers? (food, alcohol, work, relationships, etc.)
What can you give up today that causes you to conform?

Seven Ways To Get Rid Of Your Bad Mood

May 30, 2011 in Life with 0 Comments

Feeling stressed out? Before you run to the cupboard to lay into the Twinkies, stop, take a breath and read this post. Here are seven foods to improve your bad mood.

Chocolate
Not only is it delicious, but it is known to reduce the stress hormones in your body. Go for the dark chocolate.

Spinach
Increase your energy and get rid of that sluggish feeling.

Apples & Peanut Butter
Get rid of that crankiness with a carbohydrate and some protein. This slows the digestion process and keeps your energy levels stable.

Salmon Burger
Toss out the anxiety with some omega-3 fatty acids. You’ll quickly boost your mood.

Green Tea
Sipping on this tea will calm your angry mood and provide clear concentration and focus.

Whole-Grain Cereal
Add some low-fat milk to this great snack and increase the serotonin in your body. It’s sure to lift you out of that sad state.

Egg-Salad Sandwich
Have the PMS blues? Adding the protein instead of running to the other carbohydrates we women crave before our monthly visitor will boost your serotonin levels.

For more detailed information on these seven mood-enhancing foods click here to view the complete article from Woman’s Day. 

What foods help you increase your mood?

Implementing Your Passion Into Purpose

May 27, 2011 in Life with 0 Comments

I recently read an article in Outreach magazine from Charles Lee, CEO of Ideation, titled “After The Dream.”

He asked the question, “What does it take to shape a great idea into reality?”

Passion is important, of course. If you don’t have passion for what you are pursuing, then why bother. What happens after you realize the passion though? Do you have a plan to put into action?

Here are some principles Lee points out:

Principle No. 1
Implementing an idea is hard work.
Organization is hard work, but required when making an active plan. “There are not magical shortcuts from idea to implentation.”

Principle No. 2
The most potent obstacles to idea making lie within us.
Don’t give up on ideas too early. Concepts take time to develop. “Don’t let your lack of resources become an excuse not implement.”

Principle No. 3
Spatial ideation must be considered in the process.
What does the environment around you look like? “The environment that surrounds us fuels our creativity and ability to see and feel what we’re trying to form.” Keep yourself in a place that makes ideas happen.

Principle No. 4
Writing it down gives perspective.
Before sharing your ideas with others, write it down. Then brainstorm. Organize your thoughts. “Writing down my thoughts helped me to not only refine the idea, but also anticipate questions people might have.”

Principle No. 5
A creative process is essential to executing ideas.
Ask yourself specific questions to help guide the creative process development. When do you best create? What distractions do you commonly face? How will you break through these distractions?

Principle No. 6
Questions and improved strategy come up throughout the process.
Be prepared for more questions to arise in the working process. “Don’t expect to have all the necessary questions or answers prior to working on an idea.”

Principle No. 7
Your ideas can become reality.
Make a decision today to do something to move your ideas forward. “The same God who designed us with unique dreams and passion is more than able and willing to help us develop a working process for creative implementation.

Every Love Story Has A Villain

May 26, 2011 in Faith with 0 Comments

This past weekend I had the honor and privilege of attending a Captivating retreat in Nashville, TN with my friend Carolyn. First, if you haven’t read the book Captivating, I highly recommend it. Be prepared to get your world rocked by Jesus. The retreat was hosted by Jill Hart of the Daily Audio Bible. Stay tuned for a blog post on the DAB.

I was surrounded by women from Canada, Mississippi, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, and several other places. Fifty women gathered in one intimate setting and we each had two things in common: loving Jesus and wounds from the past. Many women walked through the doors with deep wounds, but they walked out with the glow of healing shining through them.

There are three things a woman desires:

  1. To be romanced
  2. To have an irreplaceable role and purpose
  3. To have a beauty all her own to be veiled
I was reminded this weekend that we are playing out the greatest romance on a battlefield. Pretty powerful words. We seek to be romanced by Jesus, but the journey can be long and hard because in every love story there is a villain. As long as we remain on the battlefield, the villain will constantly attempt to “steal, kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10)
I have so much more to talk about, so look for more blog posts to come.
Are you being romanced by Jesus?
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