What do you get when you cross a Mormon and a Baptist?

What do you get when you cross a Mormon and a Baptist?

I don’t believe it was God’s intention for His church to divide but as all things work together for the good of them that are called by God according to his purposes, different denominations should strengthen the church in the last days.

God wasn’t pleased with all seven churches of Asia. In fact only two of them escaped a reprimand. In light of the false doctrines running rampant in today’s society, we must choose our home church carefully.

I remember, as a little girl attending a country Baptist church with my mother and sisters. The next week, Daddy would drive the family fifteen miles to the nearest Mormon tabernacle. Eventually the differences between the two faiths caused a breech between my parents and church attendance was forsaken for an illusion of familial peace.

A little while later, a dear saint of God threatened to wash my filthy mouth out with soap and invited me to revival. I was about eight years old and was scared to death when someone spoke in tongues.

When my eldest sister married into the Assemblies of God, I began to tag along and experienced God’s presence. Unfortunately, lack of spiritual direction during my teen years resulted lazy Sunday mornings. High school was one big party filled with various forms of drugs and alcohol. God was forgotten while I made my own way in the world and moved around the country.

Ten years ago, divorced with two children, I crawled back to an old-fashioned altar. My life a mess, I gave myself and everything that was “me” to Jesus.

He changed “me” from a selfish- rank-sinner to a grateful person saved by grace. Some changes were immediate, some gradual and others ongoing. I’m saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. I am who He’s making me. I’m not perfect and often make mistakes, but I know where to go for strength, comfort and forgiveness.

I have convictions that can’t be understood or explained. I love to worship my savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. And yes if I’m blessed and the spirit gives the utterance, I speak in tongues. In a good service, I say amen and hallelujah. I’ve been known to shout and fall out in the spirit.

Tonight, I’m posting this blog to say that although my mother was a Baptist and my father a Mormon, I am proudly…

PENTECOSTAL.

Where Are My Tears?

Where are my tears Lord?
As I ponder the lost going to hell.
Where are my tears Lord?
As I consider your story, I should tell.

Where are my tears Lord?
For the ones who hate your name.
Where are my tears Lord?
As grace and mercy go unclaimed.

Where are my tears Lord?
As I consider your love unreturned.
Where are my tears Lord?
As people are cast in hell to burn.

Where are my tears Lord?
As my friends and neighbors only hate.
Where are my tears Lord?
Before it is too late.

Where are my tears Lord?
As I see them rolling down your face.
Where are my tears Lord?
I can’t seem to find a trace.

To Teach or Not To Teach ?

Many church leaders omit teaching the science of Biblical creation. They believe the experience of God’s presence is sufficient to counter act the millions of references to Evolution our children hear in the schools, on the television and the computer.

I beg to differ.

Before the fall, Adam and Eve experience God’s presence daily. At most, churches hold three services at week. That’s three opportunities to teach our young people; they were created in the image of God and loved so much that He gave us life by the death of His own, Jesus.

The church has allowed the supporters of Darwin to creep into our schools and homes. People like Eguenie Scott and Richard Dawkins climb on their soap boxes and preach their religion against God. A religion where people are gods and make their own rules. The American school system tells our children that they can believe in God as a long as they don’t believe he created them.

While these contradictory voices pound our youth, Christians sit silent and pray our children see the truth. But where will they see it? Will they hear Mom and Dad say; I believe God is who he says he is? Or will they hear the world scream, God is a lie?

Should we stand up against attacks on the authority of God?

“Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: Dueteronomy 11:18-20”

Learn from Adam and Eve’s mistake. Although they experienced the presence of God daily, they doubted his word and fell from grace.

There is nothing better than an old fashioned Holy Ghost filled service when the presence of God descends on his people. Let’s keep our children in His presence, but while there, let’s teach them to keep His commandments.

My Favorite Book

Blessed silence, a cup of coffee and God’s word are they highlight of my mornings. I love to read and as a Christian my favorite book is my
 Centennial KJV Thompson® Chain-Reference® Bible.

I wanted a Bible that wouldn’t fall apart so I bought the full grain Morocco leather bound edition. To say that I’m particular about this book is an understatement. I’ve been accused of being obsessed but really, that’s not true. I want it to last the duration of my lifetime, so I take special care of this book.

I don’t write in it or highlight scripture. No, not even my name. I do not lick my finger before turning the pages. A task almost impossible. I dare you to try it at home. If I’m carrying another book with this one, my Bible always, always is on top of the stack. The pages are never bent, or whoever bent them will have to pray through. And heaven help me, if someone drops it. Hence the reason only responsible people are allowed the privilege, after they wash their hands.

While some might think my actions in the overprotective, I treasure the words written on the inside. They comfort, encourage and challenge me to become a better servant. My favorite book is God’s word in its simplicity, interpreted by the Holy Spirit, whispered to my soul without the confusing commentaries of men.

Thursday’s blog posts are my book recommendations. The Bible should be first and foremost on every reader’s to-be-read list. It’s one of those books you cherish and read over and over again.

I Picked Up A Hitchhiker!

True Story: I picked up a hitchhiker on the way to Tennessee with five kids in the van.  Now let me tell you why…

I was working on a book titled Cool Kids of Jerusalem, a middle grade novel showing the last summer adventures of five Jewish boys. The story was set in the days of Jesus' Earthly ministry. 

My problem? Around 70 AD, Josephus tells us the Romans besieged the city and cut down all the trees within miles of Jerusalem. Therefore, in 30 AD Jerusalem had a forest. Didn’t it? I couldn’t picture the scenery. Although I researched the customs and traditions of that day, I was baffled. What occupations did the boy’s parents hold? The clothing they wore? Shoes on their feet? These questions and more prevented me from completing the story.

So, I prayed. I asked God to somehow show me what I needed to know.

Which brings us to the hitchhiker:

On my way to visit my parents, we passed an old man holding a large duffle bag under an overpass. My silent conversation with God went something like this…

God: Offer him a ride.

Me: I must be hearing things.

God: Offer him a ride.

Me: I can’t do that. I’m a woman alone with five kids in a van.

God: Offer him a ride.

Me: Too late. We already passed him besides he was probably a serial killer.

God: Turn around and Offer him a ride.

Me: la,la,la,la,la,la

God: Go back. Offer him a ride.

Me: No! He’s a hitchhiker.

God: Take the next exit, Go back and offer him a ride. He’s on his way to visit his brother on the north side of Montgomery.

Me: Fine but if he kills us, it’s your fault.

My younger passengers grumble and complain because I’m going south instead of North. When I tell them what we’re doing, they beg and pled to change my mind. Yes they think I’m crazy, but I’m the adult, right? Adam and Brandon try to reason with me while Ashlyn is near tears. Nick’s busy playing a video a game and could care less. In my mind, I whisper to God, “See I told you this was crazy.”

I veer onto the shoulder and crack the window a wee bit to ask the stranger where he’s going. His answer?

Yep, you guessed it. North of Montgomery to visit his brother.

God whispers in my ear, “See, I told you.”

The most amazing thing happened as I offered him a ride, my young passengers quit complaining.

When we had trouble fitting his large bag in the crowded van, he said he’d wait for another offer. But by this time I was determined. We squeezed his duffle on the back floorboard and he got in the front.

There was something ethereal about this stranger and he was clean. I mean really clean. You’d think a bum would smell to high heavens but he didn’t. Though he was clearly old, he had no wrinkles on his face. None. And he was Jewish. Exactly the man I needed to talk to. I asked him a million questions. With his silver hair and full beard shining, he told me his name was Mike and with a twinkle in his crystal blue eyes he teased about running for governor of Minnesota. (Or was it Missouri. I can’t remember. Anyway…) For over two hours he told us stories of his Jewish heritage and other interesting things about the history of Israel.

When we dropped him off north of Montgomery, at a small church I didn’t want to leave.

I’ve often wondered about this stranger and I will never regret giving him a ride. I can’t explain how it felt to be in his presence but it was a humbling experience.

Strange huh?

That was the most idiotic thing I have ever done, and it was the most rewarding. So, why did I share?

When my parents and the other responsible adults found out what happened they were livid. My mom didn’t understand. My daddy lectured me on placing his grandchildren in danger. My sister went berserk. Dear brother-in-law forbade his children to ride in a vehicle with me, forever. He also wanted to file child endangerment charges but thank God, I talked him out of that.

Did their outrage lessen the experience I had by obeying God? Not one bit. When my life gets frazzled, I often recall a piece of wisdom from the stranger.

Today, I’m reminding myself that, though people think I’m crazy and most don’t agree or understand, obeying the voice of God comes with huge incomprehensible benefits.

Don’t ever, EVER pick up a hitchhiker. It’s dangerous and crazy. But….

Always, Always Obey God!

Creation vs. Evolution: Same Evidence, Different Interpretation

Creation is Evolution’s opposite. Although many Christians compromise, you can not believe in both, because they contradict each other. For example:

The Grand Canyon. A deluge of water in a short amount of time or a flow of water over millions of years?

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The Heavens and the Earth. Created in six days or evolved during billions of years?

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Man. Created in the image of God or evolved from primate ancestors?

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Life. Created or Evolved?

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Faith is a choice. Christians, who choose an evolutionary world view, are looking for loopholes in God's laws.

If the creation account in Genesis isn’t real, then the Ten Commandments in Exodus could be mere suggestions. If God didn’t form us in our mother’s womb, abortion can be a guilt free practice. And if the wages of sin aren’t death, Jesus died on the cross in vain.

The Bible is either God's truth or a man's lie.

I choose to believe God.

Who do you believe in? God? Or Man?

Plate Tectonics, A Global Flood and The Judgment.

Photo courtesy of Geothermal Education Office, Tiburon, CA used by permission.

Most scholars agree that sometime during the past, the Earth consisted of one supercontinent landmass. Their opinions differ on the timeframe of separation. While secular scientists claim the plates drifted slowly over time, creation scientists credit the rapid land division to Noah's flood. Genesis 7:11 states “…all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.” 

On the intial day of the flood, the Earth's supercontinent rapidly broke apart producing earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis along with days of heavy global rain fall. Plate tectonics surged in the recessional stage of the year long flood.

Today's earthquakes and volcanoes, which form near plate boundaries, are an indirect result of Noah's flood. The consequence of God's global judgement against a wicked world is best described by Romans 8:22. "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."

Luke Chapter 21. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven....and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: 

Just as the ark provided salvation for Noah and his family, Jesus died on the cross at Calvary so we might be spared from the judgment of our sins.

Revelation 14:7 Saying with a loud voice,

Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:

and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.